10th HAEE Energy Transition Symposium

Spiros Papaefthimiou, President, HAEE; Professor, Technical University of Crete

Addressing the pressing issue of maintaining EU industrial competitiveness amidst escalating energy costs and stringent climate policies.

• The impact of high energy prices on European manufacturing and heavy industry.
• Navigating the tension between decarbonization goals and industrial resilience.
• Policy and market mechanisms to sustain competitiveness in a low-carbon economy.

Examining the pace of energy transition—are we moving too quickly or not quickly enough? Finding the right balance for Greece’s energy future.

• Assessing the risks of rapid transition: affordability, security, and infrastructure readiness.
• The role of policy and investment in ensuring a smooth and fast transition.
• Lessons from global energy transitions: what can Greece learn?

Scaling the heights of photovoltaic technology—what challenges must be conquered for broader adoption?

• Technological advancements and efficiency improvements in solar energy.
• Grid integration and storage solutions for increased PV penetration.
• Overcoming regulatory and financial barriers to accelerate deployment.

Evaluating Greece’s offshore wind potential—what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s next?

• Key regulatory, financial, and technical challenges in developing offshore wind projects.
• Lessons from successful offshore wind markets in Europe and beyond.
• Next steps for Greece: timelines, investment needs, and policy directions.

Confronting the notorious ‘Duck Curve’ and grid congestion. How can we enhance grid flexibility and efficiency?

• Tackling renewable energy curtailment: storage, demand-side management, and interconnections.
• The role of smart grids and digitalization in optimizing electricity flows.
• Policy and market reforms to incentivize grid flexibility and investment.

Showcasing Greece’s islands as beacons of clean energy—lessons, successes, and next steps.

• Case studies of energy transition projects on Greek islands.
• Challenges in integrating renewables, storage, and grid upgrades.
• Scaling up island decarbonization as a model for the mainland and beyond.