A round up with the key points and conclusions of IENE’ s annual “Energy & Development 2021” conference which was held in Athens on December 1/2 2021, has now been uploaded and is available here through the Institute’s site. This 13-page document underlines the main themes of this two-day conference and highlights the interventions and presentations made by some keynote speakers.
A round up with the key points and conclusions of IENE’ s annual “Energy & Development 2021” conference which was held in Athens on December 1/2 2021, has now been uploaded and is available here through the Institute’s site.
This 13-page document underlines the main themes of this two-day conference and highlights the interventions and presentations made by some keynote speakers. It also presents the conclusions of this highly successful event which attracted large attendance by both registered participants (420) and speakers and moderators (78) The conclusions of the conference are summarised as follows:
«The energy sector is changing radically and already in Europe and Greece the transition to the new energy environment is being made amid high prices of natural gas and electricity. It is the transition to a clean energy sector and smart energy with the advent of digital technology, which will help to drastically reduce emissions. New ideas and innovative technologies are the decisive levers and guides, while digital technology penetrates into every activity and daily life. Energy is becoming a complex sector and is characterized by high investment and critical economic, environmental, social and geopolitical parameters, innovation, research, and market reforms all backed by an appropriate regulatory framework.
Greece with the mainland, its islands and its sea offers great energy challenges, which must be addressed with prudence and technical maturity, with appropriate policy and planning for development, maximizing the social and economic benefits. The country's high dependence on energy imports (hydrocarbons and electricity) has significant implications for the economy and security of energy supply, so the main goals of strategic planning should be to reduce dependence and aim for a competitive energy sector, taking into account environmental requirements.
Key policy areas include the improvement of energy efficiency, the widespread use of RES and the operation of a competitive market. A major transformation is taking place in electricity with the entry of RES and in the electricity market. Rapidly evolving technologies in RES achieve incredibly low prices with a highly dispersed production that transforms the grid and the market and forces electricity companies to change their business model. The grid is being transformed with innovative technologies which help integrate the penetration of RES with high efficiency, reliability and new services to consumers, while the market is reforming and is looking for tools to meet the new challenges for its operation.
Electricity is evolving as the main energy carrier with the expansion of uses, substituting fossil fuels, as it penetrates almost everywhere, such as transport, heating / cooling, etc., becoming a lever for growth. Electric cars and the production of hydrogen for fuel cells in buses and trucks entering the market at a rapid pace will be essentially an extension of the electricity grid. In conclusion, the well-attended 25th Conference "Energy and Development 2021" of IENE sounded a note of optimism. An optimism, which is based on the possibilities that admittedly exist today in Greece and SE Europe for the further development of sustainable energy sector. A growth that will come through investments and substantial reforms aimed at the streamlining of regulatory and licensing procedures and the optimization of market operation. Something that can be achieved in cooperation with the competent Greek and European bodies and companies. The latter, thanks to the high training of their executives and the dynamism that distinguishes them, appear ready to respond and participate in the necessary reforms that are currently being attempted. IENE was, is and will be a facilitator and supporter of this effort».
