1. Energy Technologies for Energy Transition in SE Europe (ENETET)

Energy technologies are an integral part of all energy markets and a prerequisite for efficient primary energy utilization, whether these are conventional or alternative (i.e. renewables, nuclear, energy efficiency). In this respect, familiarization with various energy technologies and the monitoring of their advancement (i.e. improvement and upgrading) is absolutely necessary in ΙΕΝΕ’s effort to undertake and assess how energy is produced, supplied and used in our region and more broadly and the perspectives.

Energy technologies are playing an increasingly important role in addressing the huge challenges posed by Energy Transition. The choice of the right technology in satisfying energy needs at local and national level is often important in moving in the right direction towards lowering GHG emissions. However, identifying and introducing the most appropriate technology is not always easy in view of persistent non-technical obstacles, which is often the case in most SE European countries.

In addition, one has to look at innovation as being yet another important driver in stimulating interest in introducing alternative low carbon oriented technologies. There is no doubt that the energy sector will only reach net-zero emissions if there is a significant and concerted global push to accelerate innovation. It is also clear that there is a disconnect between the climate goals that governments and companies have set for themselves and the efforts underway to develop better and cheaper technologies like solar PV, wind turbines, CCUS and lithium-ion batteries.

As the IEA notes in its latest “Energy Technology Perspectives 2020”, “The technological advances that will be needed demand a step change in both the speed at which innovation occurs and the scale at which new technologies are deployed. And this progress must be achieved in a way that makes our energy systems more secure and resilient.”

“The energy innovation challenge facing the world”, says the IEA, “extends to sectors that have not significantly changed for many decades and that do not yet have commercially available low-carbon options. It also requires a rapid evolution of the technology mix, particularly in some emerging economies that are just starting out on their decarbonization journeys. The under-appreciation of these urgent challenges in today’s energy debate is a real concern.”

An important task of IENE’s “Energy Technology for Energy Transition” programme is the monitoring and assessment of relevant and readily available technologies, which can be easily applied in the countries of the region. The Institute’s “Energy Technologies” programme’s ultimate goal is to build a comprehensive database of appropriate and clean energy technologies, which can be applied most effectively in the SEE region. The database will be updated on a continuous basis and will include details of the chosen technologies, such as technical specifications, performance data and supplier information. The database will become available to energy professionals, companies, institutions and organizations engaged professionally in project development work and relevant studies.