CRES

Background and Status

The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) is the national Greek centre for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Energy Saving (ES). CRES was instated as the national coordination centre in its areas of activity by Laws 2244/94 (Production of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources) and 2709/99 (Various Regulations).

CRES was founded in September 1987 by Presidential Decree 375/87. It is a public entity, under the auspices of the Ministry of Development, General Secretariat of Research and Technology and has financial and administrative independence. Its main goal is the promotion of RES/RUE/ES applications on both the national and international levels taking environmental impacts, resulting from the production and use of energy, into consideration.

Mission

In order to achieve its goals with regard to RES/RUE/ES technologies and applications, the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources:

• is the official consultant to the Greek government on matters concerning RES/RUE/ES national policy, strategy and planning
• carries out applied research and develops innovative technologies which are both technically/economically viable and environmentally friendly
• organises, supervises and carries out demonstration and pilot projects, to promote the above technologies
• implements commercial RES/RUE/ES applications in relevant energy projects that are being realised by the private sector, the local authorities, professional associations, etc.
• disseminates technology in its areas of expertise and provides reliable information and support to any interested organisation and investor
• provides technical services and advice, in the form of specialised know how and information, to third parties
• organises and/or participates in technical and scientific seminars, educational programmes, specialised training courses, meetings, etc.

Expertise

Over the years, CRES has participated in more than 500 European and national projects. These include research and development projects, demonstration projects, projects dealing with energy information systems, feasibility studies, technical and economic studies, market research, as well as promotional activities for the use of RES/RUE/ES. In carrying out these projects, CRES has cooperated with a large number of public and private organisations, on the national as well as on the European and international levels.

CRES has been and continues to be, a very active advisor to the Greek State on matters of energy policy, especially on RES/RUE/ES, and has established a high profile as a strong and reliable national energy centre. Furthermore, CRES has effectively supported the Greek market to accept, adopt and apply RES/RUE/ES technologies, preparing it to undertake commercial-scale investments in this area, as soon as such investments were permitted under institutional framework (Laws 1892/90, 2601/98, 2244/94, Operational Programme for Energy/OPE, Operational Programme for Research and Technology, etc.). The results to date have been very satisfactory. It should be noted that CRES played a leading role in the preparation and finalisation of the current institutional framework, as well as in the preparation of the Operational Programme for Energy within the second Community Support Framework (CSF II), for the Ministry of Development.

Over the years, CRES has accumulated extensive experience through its active participation in a large number of projects on both the national and international levels. CRES has undertaken and successfully carried out the following types of project:

• design, support and execution of applied research programmes for the development of economically viable and environmentally friendly RES/RUE/ES technologies
• technical support for the Greek RES/RUE/ES industry
• organisation, supervision and execution of demonstration and pilot projects for the promotion of RES/RUE/ES applications
• promotion of commercial applications of innovative renewable energy technologies, in projects carried out by the Centre for the private sector, local authorities, professional associations, etc.
• organisation of workshops and other events for the promotion of RES/RUE/ES, especially in cooperation with local authorities
• technical and strategic support for energy planning on a national, regional and local level
• cooperation with national and regional bodies in Greece and abroad
• provision of consultancy services to small and medium sized enterprises and for local authorities
• development of energy information systems for the effective support of energy policy and planning
• execution of programmes aimed to wards the exchange of experience and technology transfer
• organisation of a large number of training programmes and production of a large body of training and information material on RES/RUE/ES
• technical support for the Greek Public Administration (ministries, public organisations, etc.)
• foundation, organisation and supervision of operation of the Greek Regional Energy Centres

Services

• CRES provides the following services (laboratory measurements, analyses, studies, etc.):
• Wind turbine blades (static, fatigue and dynamic tests)
• Measurements of wind turbine operation characteristics (power curve, power quality, loads, noise)
• Calibration of anemometers
• Analysis and design of horizontal axis wind turbines by means of an aeroelastic simulator developed inhouse (code name ALKYONE)
• Wind potential estimation over complex terrain by means of a numerical tool developed inhouse for micrositing
• Measurements of the wind potential of a specific area
• Assessment of the energy content of solid fuels (proximate and ultimate analysis, calorific value)
• Evaluation and assessment of the penetration of nitrates residues in soil layers
• Evaluation and assessment of water balance
• Evaluation and assessment of the technically and economically available biomass resource per site and kind of raw material
• Analysis of emissions from biomass combustion plants
• Analysis of biomass solid fuels
• Laboratory testing of several battery types according to international standards
• Identification and testing of thermal characteristics of building elements under real conditions
• Measurements of solar radiance with fixed and mobile stations
• Measurement and testing of complete photovoltaic systems and electric vehicles
• Remote monitoring of active solar systems
• Studies for the development and implementation of geothermal energy technologies
• Identification and assessment of geothermal resources
• Optimum design for geothermal energy exploitation systems
• Identification and resolution of technical problems
• Evaluation of possible sites for new small hydro plants
• Evaluation of small hydro plants in operation (testing, efficiency measurement, optimisation of operation)
• Provision of technical support and assistance to interested organisations for the promotion and possible exploitation of small hydroelectric power plants
• Feasibility studies for energy projects
• Bioclimatic and energy design of buildings and settlements
• Microclimatic analyses
• Energy applications (RES/RUE/ES) in the built environment
• Energy audits and on-site measurements (energy bus)
• Feasibility studies for the use of RES/RUE/ES technologies in various commercial and industrial sectors
• Recording of the energy situation in energy intensive industries
• Environmental impact assessments (EIAs)
• Market studies for RES technologies in third countries
• Energy information services
• RES/RUE/ES dissemination services
• Certification of RES/RUE/ES projects

Cooperation with other organisations

In the course of its activities, CRES has developed close and fruitful cooperation with a large number of organisations in Greece, Europe and also in Third Countries. The Centre functions as a link for the establishment of cooperation between energy users, industry and suppliers of equipment and services in Greece. It also makes an important contribution to the provision of information to industries, universities, research centres and international organisations, regarding EU and other international programmes.

CRES is a member of European and international networks of similar organisations, such as: the EnR, MEDENER, FEDARENE, Energy Cities, EUFORES, OPET, EUREC Agency, Efficiency 2000, etc. CRES cooperates with large international organizations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), UNESCO, ISES (International Solar Energy Society), PLEA (Passive and Low Energy Architecture), IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), CEN/CENELEC, etc. CRES actively participates in and provides essential support for the promotion of the activities of professional and scientific societies, such as the following:

• Greek Solar Energy Industry
• European Biomass Society
• Greek Wind Energy Association which is an active member of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)
• Greek Small Hydro Association
• European Association of Solar Energy Industries (ESIF)
• Greek CHP Association
• Greek Renewable Energies Forum (ELFORES)

Contact Point

Mr. Kostas Tigas
CRES, 19th km Marathonos Avenue, 190 09 Pikermi, Attiki, Greece
Tel: +30 1 6039900, Fax: +30 1 6039904 -05, E-mail: ktigas@cres.gr

Web: cres.gr