The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) is the Greek organisation for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Energy Saving (ES). CRES has been appointed as the national co-ordination centre in its areas of activity.
CRES was founded in September 1987. It is a public entity, supervised by the Ministry of Development, General Secretariat of Research and Technology, and has financial and administrative independence.
Its main goal is the research and promotion of RES/RUE/ES applications at a national and international level, as well as the support of related activities taking into consideration the principles of sustainable developement.
The Centre is managed by a seven-member Board of Directors, which includes representatives from the General Secretariat of Research and Technology/Ministry of Development, the PPC (Public Power Corporation)and the Association of Greek Industries.
CRES has a scientific staff of more than 120 highly experienced and specialised scientists, and engineers. The organisational structure of CRES is made up of the following basic units:
-Division of Renewable Energy Sources
-Division of Energy Efficiency
-Division of Energy Policy and planning
-Division of Development Programmes
-Division of Financial and Administrative Services
Furthermore, there are two separate offices
-Quality Assurance Office
-Legal Services
Since 1992, CRES is located on its wholly owned premises at 19th km Marathonos Ave, Pikermi, Attiki.
In addition to over 2000 square meters of main office space, there are also experimental outdoor installations, specialised laboratories for energy technologies, a mechanical shop, conference rooms, a library and maintains a strong computing infrastructure. CRES has installed a demonstration wind park in the area of Agia Marina in Lavrio. The Wind Park is connected to the Public Power Corporation distribution grid and the electricity produced will be fel into. When it is fully developed, the park will eventually have 3MW installed power and will produce 7,6 kWh of electricity.
CRES' funding is mainly provided by National, European and International projects, as well as projects carried out on behalf of the industrial, hotel, and construction sector, etc.
CRES' ROLE & MISSION
CRES operates in two main fields of activity:
1. As a Research and Technological Centre for RES/RUE/ES, by developing applied research for the new energy technologies and by technically supporting the market for the penetration and the implementation of these technologies.
2. As the National Energy Centre, working on energy planning and policy for RES and ES and developing the necessary infrastructure to support the implementation of RES&ES investment projects.
CRES has a dynamic presence both in Greece and internationally, with innovative research results and a large number of finished contracts for the Greek Government, the European Commission and Governments of non-European countries, concerning the planning, evaluation and realisation of energy investment projects.
In the framework of its mission, CRES:
EXPERIENCE GAINED
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. Through this activity, CRES has obtained important know-how, participating in many research projects and networks.
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 has provided 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/ES projects.
It has carried out national, European and international investment projects for RES/RUE/ES, contributing substantially to the evaluation of investment proposals, the technical monitoring of the projects, the briefing of investors, public organisations, industry and other relevant sectors, as well as raising public awareness of RES/RUE/ES.
RES is a very active advisor to the Greek State on matters of national energy policy, especially 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.
Internationally, CRES has promoted Greek interests in the energy sector in regions of specific interest for Greece such as, the Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Black Sea, developing a network for communication and co-operation with the energy organisations in these regions and has participated in projects, international fora and networks.
Over the years CRES has participated in more than 600 European, national and international projects. These include applied research projects and development, demonstration projects, energy policy studies, development of energy information systems and energy modelling, investment feasibility studies, technical and economic studies, environmental impact assessments, market research as well as activities for the promotion of RES/RUE/ES. Through these projects, CRES has developed co-operation with numerous public and private organisations, at a national, European and international level.
