On May 8, the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) organized a one-day conference at the prestigious Cotsen Hall in Athens, in order to examine the critical role of innovation in energy transition. The conference coincided with the launch of the Institute’s “Innovation in Energy” programme, which was presented during the event (see here for event details). This latest IENE conference attracted some 120 participants with more of them attending in person (70) while the rest joined online from different countries in SE Europe.
The conference reviewed several facets of innovative solutions over a wide range of energy applications, including power generation and cogeneration using natural gas, renewable energy sources (RES), energy efficiency methods suitable for buildings and industry, low carbon solutions for oil and gas exploration and production, carbon capture, storage and use (CCUS), and nuclear power generation with emphasis on Small Modular Reactors (SMR’s). Furthermore, the conference examined the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in accelerating the search for appropriate clean energy technologies for large scale applications in SE Europe and further afield.
In his opening statement Mr. Costis Stambolis, Chairman and Executive Director of IENE, underlined the holistic approach of the conference since its aim was to present a panorama of innovation over a diverse technological base covering selectively a number of areas.
As Mr. Simon Bennett, Energy Technology Analyst at the International Energy Agency, pointed out in his keynote address, "the range of new energy technologies under development globally is broader and appears more promising than ever before. Yet the global energy innovation landscape is at a pivotal moment amid signs of slowing momentum in financing and shifting priorities."
As Mr. Anastasios Tosios, IENE Partner and Leader of the "Innovation in Energy" programme, observed in his opening remarks, "innovation today is not just a trend or an option. It is the driver of our efforts towards sustainability, security and affordability in energy. Across Europe, we witness how digital tools, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and new business models are transforming the way we produce, manage, and consume energy".
More than 20 speakers participated in this unique energy colloquium convened for the first time by IENE. Among others, these included Dr. Athanasios Dagoumas, President of Greece’s Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAEWW), Dr. Michael Drury, Managing Director of LucidCatalyst, UK, Dr. Dionysios Chionis, Co-Founder of Athlos Energy, Greece’s first-ever start-up in nuclear energy, Dr. Constantinos Balaras, Research Director of the Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development (IERSD) at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), Prof. Pandelis Biskas, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Chairman of IENE’s Scientific Council, Mr. Konstantinos Tsirekis, Director of Strategy and System Planning at Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO), Mr. Nikos Stefanakis, Assistant Director, HEDNO and Dr. Nikolaos Koukouzas, Director of Research at the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas / Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CERTH/CPERI), Greece. Other, keynote speakers included Prof. Ionut Purica, Executive Director of the Advisory Center for Energy and Environment at the Romanian Academy, Mr. Konstantinos Eleftheriadis, Partner and Energy, Resources & Industrials Sector Leader at Deloitte, Mr. Paris Frantzeskakis, Senior Manager of the Technical Department (Asset Management Division) at DESFA, Greece, Mr. Ioannis Togias, Executive Director-Marine Technology, Asso.subsea, Greece and others.
Through the various addresses and interventions, a panorama of innovations currently shaping the global and regional energy landscape was presented. As energy transition gathers pace and priorities become clearer, the challenges facing energy companies, governments and advisory groups were hotly debated by the panelists in the various sessions of the conference. IENE’s “Innovation in Energy” Conference was backed by a select group of forward-looking energy companies operating in Greece and beyond.
The main supporters of the Conference were Asso.subsea and Ensco, while media partners included Energia.gr, Euro2day, NE Global, Nomisma.cy and the financial daily “Naftemporiki”.
