PARTNERS

CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Participant Name Centro regionale di Assistenza per la Cooperazione Artigiana, Società Cooperativa Unione Provinciale Artigiani - Confartigianato Padova Università degli Studi di Padove - Dipartimento di Processi Chimicidell'Ingegneria GFE Energy Management SRL Chambers' Group for the Development of Greek Isles SC Chiminform Data SA MID Wales Energy Agency Ltd Narodowa Agencja Poszanowania Energii S.A. Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Setubal Universidad de Valladolid Escan, S.A.   Centre for Renewable Energy Sources Fundaciòn Cener-Ciemat (Renewable Energy National Center) Fundation Cartif Fundacion Asturiana de la Energia

Description of the organisation

The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (founded in September 1987) is a public entity supervised by the Ministry of Development - General Secretariat of Research and Technology, and has financial and administrative independence. CRES is active in the fields of environmentally friendly Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Energy Saving (ES), and was appointed by Law No 2244/94 as the National Centre for Coordination in the fields of its activity. Its primary aim is to promote technological applications in the above-mentioned fields both at a national and international level. It acts as an advisor to the Greek State, and has established a highly visible profile of a strong and reliable national energy centre.

CRES has a scientific staff of more than 120 highly qualified engineers and other scientists (the total personnel numbers 160 people) and, over the years, has participated in more than 600 European and national projects. These include R&D projects, demonstration projects, development of energy information systems, feasibility studies, technical and economic studies, market research, as well as training and promotional activities on the RES/RUE/ES related issues. CRES premises include also experimental outdoor installations, specialized laboratories (PV-batteries, passive solar systems, wind energy, biomass), mechanical shop, conference rooms, a library and a strong computing infrastructure. CRES also developed and operates a wind park of 3.5 MW installed power for R&D purposes in the region of Attiki.

In order to achieve its objectives CRES:

is the official Greek government consultant on matters of RES/RUE/ES in national policy, strategy and planning;

supports Applied Research, the development of New Technologies and Industrial Activities in the fields of RES/RUE;

organises, executes and supervises demonstration and pilot programs to promote RES and RUE;

undertakes the implementation of commercial applications of new energy technologies in the private sector, local authorities, co-operative societies, etc;

provides technical services to third parties (equipment testing, measurements, certifications);

disseminates technology in the fields of RES/RUE and provides an objective source of information;

organises and/or participates in technical seminars, training programs, conferences, workshops and other events, for the dissemination of RES and RUE technologies.

CRES is an active advisor to the Greek State on matters of national energy policy regarding RES/RUE/ES for the development and realisation of business initiatives and investment ventures, participating in the planning, co-ordination and monitoring of integrated programmes and projects at national, regional and local levels. Within the scope of its activities as a Research and Technological Centre, CRES provides the link between basic research and industry, aiming at the development of local technological products and services. In parallel, by co-ordinating and participating in a respectable number of pilot and demonstration projects, the Centre has assisted the market in accepting and adopting new energy technologies.

CRES in support of academic research has created strong links with universities on a national basis. CRES researchers are taking part in consulting committees during PhD preparations with subjects relative to wind energy. Moreover professional training is taking place in the laboratory for wind turbine testing for students of National Technological Institutes. On a European level CRES supports programs like SOKRATES/ERASMUS, while CRES researchers are invited speakers for courses such as EUREC master course program. CRES also provides its testing facilities for academic research in support of PhD or master thesis preparations, as well as for hands-on trainings during master courses on subjects relevant to wind turbine and wind turbine component design, testing and construction. In general CRES is very supportive of educational activities covering the needs from the elementary school, allowing for example educational visits to its premises, to the higher academic level, amongst others offering a 3-year scholarship on PhD candidates with relevant subjects.

CRES provides important services to third parties (private investors) and to local authorities, concerning the exploitation of the technical and techno-economical possibilities for the application of RES/RUE projects. To accomplish its objectives CRES cooperates with other institutes, organisations, universities, private engineering consultants, etc. Moreover, CRES is a member of various European and international networks, such as the EnR, MEDENER and OPET Networks, EUFORES, EUREC Agency, etc., and cooperates with international organisations such as the IEA, UNESCO, ISES, PLEA, IEC, CEN/CENELEC, etc.

List of most relevant projects