Solarplaza Summit Greece

Wednesday 22 November 2023

19:00

Pre-Conference Networking Event

Thursday 23 November 2023

Program

09:20

Welcoming Words by Solarplaza & Chairperson

10 min.

Edwin Koot

Solarplaza

Session Topics:

SESSION 1

A Panoramic View of the Greek PV Market

09:30

The RE Landscape: A Holistic Market Outlook & Assessment

presentation

20 min.

The current governmental and economic transformations are crucial for the future of the Greek energy market. National objectives and targets, as well as technological advances, keep shaping the landscape at a rapid speed. This session examines how the future of the Greek energy sector is being shaped, what parameters will impact it and how it compares to other EU countries.

Stelios Psomas

HELAPCO - Hellenic Association of PV Companies

Session Topics:

Outlook on the Greek renewable energy market vs. Europe
Challenges and opportunities ahead
Main market drivers and expected beneficiaries
Renewables integration and international societal responsibility

09:50

The UN SDSN Global Climate Hub: Developing the net-zero Resilient Pathways

presentation

20 min.

Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri will speak about the SDSN Global Climate Hub, which operates as a specialized network within the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN), with a mission to provide science-based recommendations for combating the climate crisis and preventing further deterioration.

The SDSN Global Climate Hub uses extensive data, knowledge, and technologies provided by experts in various fields to implement country-specific action plans to be adopted and reinforced by society. The 9 Units of the SDSN GCH represent the stages that a country should go through in order to achieve the design and implementation of detailed climate neutrality and climate resilience pathways.

This session will pay special attention to the 3 technology accelerators we run and also showcase some of the energy-climate neutral and resilient pathways the SDSN Global Climate Hub has developed for EU-27, which will later in the year presented at COP28 during the official launch of UN SDSN Global Climate Hub Energy Decarbonisation Pathways - Europe and the Balkans.

Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri

SDSN Global Climate Hub

Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri

Chair

SDSN Global Climate Hub

Phoebe Koundouri is Professor in Economics and Director of ReSEES Laboratory at the School of Economics of the Athens University of Economics and Business, part-time Research Professor at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and Director of the Sustainable Development Research Unit at ATHENA Information Technology Research Center. She holds a MPhil and a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge, and has held academic positions at the University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Reading, and London School of Economics. She is recognized as a pioneer in innovative, human-centric, interdisciplinary systems for the sustainable interaction between nature, society, and the economy. She has published 15 books and more than 500 scientific papers, co-edited a number of prestigious academic journals, organized numerous international scientific conferences, supervised more than 30 PhD students, and gave keynote speeches and public lectures across the world. In 2019, she was elected President of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE) and she is now chairing the World Council of Environmental and Natural Resource Economists Associations (WCERE). She is the director of the Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on AE4RIA, linking the research and innovation work of 5 research centers, 5 innovations accelerators and numerous science-policy networks, with more than 200 researchers and 100 large interdisciplinary competitively funded projects involved. She is chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Global Climate Hub and co-chair of SDSN Europe, with 2000 universities involved. She is elected member of Academia Europea, the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the World Academy of Art and Science, and member of the InterAcademy Partnership Board . She is commissioner for the Lancet Commission on COVID-19 Recovery and invited member of the Program on Fraternal Economy of Integral and Sustainable Development of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. In 2022, she received the prestigious European Research Council Synergy Grant and in 2023, she was awarded the Academy of Athens Excellence in Science Award, awarded every four years. She is member of the Nominating Committee for the Prize in Economics Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science.

Session Topics:

10:10

The Not-So-Smooth Operator: Grid Connection Challenges & Opportunities

panel

60 min.

Greece has seen a massive rollout of renewables this decade. However, there are concerns that power grids may not have sufficient capabilities to endure a shift towards energy sources that are intermittent in nature. While new technologies such as energy storage and smart grid systems could help improve the reliability and efficiency of the grid, issues related to infrastructure, the geographical location and licensing processes, remain a present hurdle to overcome. This panel of experts will discuss the challenges and pose potential solutions.

moderator

Ypatios Moysiadis

Wattcrop

Ypatios Moysiadis

Managing Partner

Wattcrop

Ypatios Moysiadis’ early years spent growing up in an industrial coal mining town in Northwest Greece had a profound effect on his career and helped embed a focus on sustainability in all his future ventures. He started working in renewables 15 years ago, capitalising on the legislative introduction of renewable energy incentives. Over the years he expanded his scope into the development, construction and operation of renewable energy assets. This work lead to posts at major British and international organisations like Galliford Try Group, Grupotec, Foresight Group, BayWa r.e. and Voltalia Group, working in several spot markets and countries. Ypatios has worked across the value chain on all major renewable technologies, with emphasis on Solar PV. Today, Ypatios is the Managing Partner of Wattcrop focusing on development of new generation projects internationally and advancement of innovation within the services sector of Renewable Energy. He is a visiting lecturer at Cass Business School London and ESCP Business School Paris, and promotes Renewables as an author and active blogger.

Dr. Sotiris Kapellos

ELPE Renewables

Dr. Sotiris Kapellos

Director Operations & Development

ELPE Renewables

Dr S.Kapellos is a graduate of the Chemical Department of the University of Athens (UOA), Greece (1986). In 1991 he received his PhD on the field of Physical Chemistry from the same Institution. The research was a collaboration between UOA and the Michigan State University (MSU) Physical Chemistry Teams. In 1993 he was hired by BP Hellas SA as Chemist in the Perama Lubricants and Fuels Quality Control Chemical Laboratory. Since then he had the opportunity to be positioned at various managerial posts within the BP Hellas Organization: Quality, Health, Safety and Environment, Human Resources, Customer Services, Pricing and Credit. In 2004 he moves to Northern Greece as Retail Fuels District Manager North.In 2007 when BP Solar is established, Dr. S.Kapellos is appointed as the leader (CEO) of the new organization, in order to setup the new business.In 2010 he moves to ELPE Renewables (100% owned by ELPE Group), developing and managing the Renewables portfolio of the Hellenic Petroleum Group. He currently holds the position of the Operation and Development Director of the company, being at the same time BoD member. Τhe current RES portfolio of ELPE Renewables is 130 MW of photovoltaic projects and 25 MW Biomass, of which 10 MW PV in operation and another 9 MW PV project under construction. A 6.8 MW wind park was acquired in 2013.Dr.S.Kapellos has published several scientific articles in international magazines during his academic career. He has written a number of articles on subjects related to Safety, Hygiene and Environment and in the last years on Solar Technology and Energy Policy for newspapers, relevant magazines and e-media.Since 2008, he has been an elected member of the board of the Hellenic (Greek) Association of PV companies (HELAPCO) and since April 2013 Chairman of the board of the Association.

Dr. Stelios Loumakis

Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers

Dr. Stelios Loumakis

President

Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers

Has a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from NTUA since 1992. He obtained an MBA from the University of Portsmouth, UK and holds a PhD from NTUA completing in 2019 his doctoral dissertation in the field of Wholesale Electricity Market Operation and Renewable penetration. During his professional career he has held upper managerial positions in large companies in the field of FMCGs, such as in the multinational Sara Lee Household & Body Care Hellas and Karamolegos Bakery Industry and was active in collaboration with Katselis Bakery Industry in the fast-growing business sector of organized catering and food retail. Since 2006 he is active in the electricity market field through developing centralized photovoltaic plants. His company, a pioneer in the industry, completed and interconnected to the grid one of the first PV plants in April 2008. Furthermore, as a consultant, enjoys deep experience, especially in the field of wholesale electricity market and renewables. His clientele includes large corporations such as SPI Energy, EYDAP, Attica Finance Consulting, Interphoton Group, Intertrade Hellas, EasyPower etc. He is a member of the list of referees and arbitrators of RAE. He has been elected to the Board of the Hellenic Association of PV Energy Producers since 2009, while since 2011 he is the President for five consecutive terms.

Alexis Simintzis

FTI Consulting

Nasos Plainos

LONGi

Session Topics:

Modernizing the transmission and distribution infrastructure to improve efficiency & reduce transmission losses
Optimizing licensing opportunities & processes
Leveraging new technologies such as energy storage & smart grid systems to overcome current challenges

11:10

Networking Coffee Break

Last year, 88% Of attendees said they made a valuable business connection during the conference. Now's the time to start making those connections!

Session Topics:

SESSION 2

Put your Money Where your Mouth Is - Development & Financing

11:40

The Critical Role of Storage Solutions in Stabilizing the Energy Grid

presentation

20 min.

Storage solutions can provide new market opportunities for renewable energy by enabling greater integration of intermittent renewable sources into the grid, while supporting mitigation of variability of renewable energy production, providing a stable and reliable supply of electricity. Challenges associated with greater integration of intermittent renewable sources into the grid and the crucial role that safety, technology, and reliability of storage systems play in addressing these challenges.

Theodor Tsiolis

Huawei

Session Topics:

12:00

Taking a 360° Legal Turn Around Power Purchase Agreements

presentation

45 min.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) have emerged as a popular mechanism for stimulating the energy transition. However, when entering a long term agreement it is essential for all parties involved to be proactive and well-informed about the risks and considerations of drafting and negotiating PPAs. This session will deep dive into PPAs from the following angles

moderator

Peggy Bozou

Aquila Clean Energy

Rania Peppa

Enel Green Power

Epistimi Oikonomopoulou

Clifford Chance

Stella Mavrommati

CMS Law

Session Topics:

Main Issues & Consideration for PPA Contracting (15’ presentation)
Legal Tips & Tricks (15’ presentation)
Financing & Bankability (15’ presentation)
Discussion / Q&A (15’)
Corporate PPA deep-dive

12:45

Corporate PPA Case Study in Greece

15 min.

Gerasimos Takis-Defteraios

Optimus Energy

Gerasimos Takis-Defteraios

Senior Energy Trader

Optimus Energy

Gerasimos is an accomplished Electrical and Computer Engineer with a specialization in energy markets. He holds an MEng degree from National Technical University of Athens and an MSc in Future Power Networks from Imperial College London, a world-class university, solidifying his expertise in the field. With a wealth of experience amassed at Statkraft, a prominent player in the European energy markets, Gerasimos garnered extensive knowledge in energy management, renewable trading in spot market and optimization of storage facilities. His pivotal contributions have been instrumental in driving battery energy storage integration and active participation in both wholesale and ancillary services markets in the United Kingdom. Since 2022, Gerasimos has been an integral part of the Trading Department at Optimus Energy, Greece’s first and largest renewable aggregator. He spearheads the seamless participation of the RES portfolio in spot markets, effectively minimizing balancing costs while adeptly mitigating volumetric and price risks associated with market exposure, whilst leading the trading solutions for the upcoming assets like energy storage and demand response. Beyond his professional engagements, Gerasimos has authored several research papers and co-authored the book ‘Industrial Demand Response: Methods, best practices, case studies and applications’ for the Institution of Engineering and Technology. His dedication to advancing energy expertise is encapsulated in his personal motto, ’Empowering Energy Transformation for a Sustainable Future’, which underscores his commitment to a greener world.

Session Topics:

13:00

Solarcoaster Ride: The Issues & Opportunities of a Highly Volatile Market

presentation

20 min.

While the energy market is on a steep trajectory of growth, its future is not set in stone. The emergence of novel technologies bring unprecedented opportunities, but simultaneously high power prices across Europe may be obscuring the impacts of price cannibalization threatening the future profitability of renewable energy. This session will examine the risks and most viable short- and long-term solutions for a steady and profitable market growth

Evangelos Gazis

Aurora Energy Research

Session Topics:

The impact of market volatility on risks & opportunities from a national and international perspectives
Threats posed by price cannibalisation and potential solutions

13:20

Networking Lunch

Mingle with the mixed crowd of local and international stakeholders, developers, service providers, investors, and more!

Session Topics:

SESSION 3

New Perspectives

14:40

Shooting Through the Roof: Achieving New Milestones for Self-Consumption

panel

30 min.

Nearly 10% of EU buildings are currently equipped with solar rooftop installations and the implementation of the EU solar rooftop mandate is set to boost the deployment. Simultaneously, the electrification of transportation and heating is being propelled by the increasing use of electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps. This panel of experts will explore these trends in sector integration through innovative business models, new technologies and legislative adoptions for new market opportunities.

George Roulias

Glensol Energy

George Roulias

Managing Partner

Glensol Energy

George Roulias was born in Athens, Greece and started working in his family business making confectionary products in Greece, Africa and Middle East. In early 2000 he left the family business to form a JV with Virgin Entertainment Group UK where he served as a Managing Director for nearly a decade, from1999 to 2009. In 2009 he decided to make a swift to his career and move to Renewable Energy Sector at the time European and Greek solar markets began to explode. He participated as Business Development Director in Inet Energy SA a Greek EPC company until 2011. He also founded his third company, Glensol Energy Ltd an independent provider of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions for public and private sector based in Greece and operating in EMEA region. The company has built its presence in South East Europe with a proven track record of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Greece, Cyprus and Romania. The company is expanding its activities in Middle East and Africa through a network of local partners. The boundless potential of Renewable Energy exploitation and the preservation of sustainable development have become the cornerstones of his abiding interests.

Dr. Maria Ioannou

Platis Anastassiadis & Associates

Dr. Maria Ioannou

Head of Energy & Environmental Law

Platis Anastassiadis & Associates

Maria is manager at Platis – Anastassiadis and Associates Law Partnership, the law firm associated with EY Greece, where she heads the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Team. She is an energy and environmental lawyer with a strong transactional background. Maria’s energy practice focuses primarily on renewable energy and clean technologies, energy storage, energy markets and offtake, and infrastructure development. She has significant experience in advising investors, developers and energy companies as well as public-sector entities with regard to acquisitions, project development and financing as well as regulatory matters. In addition, Maria advises on all aspects of environmental compliance and permitting for a wide range of projects and assists clients with emerging environmental and climate law issues. She holds a law degree as well as a Ph.D. in Environmental Law & Economics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Prior to joining Platis – Anastassiadis and Associates, Maria practiced energy and environmental law with top-tier law firms in Athens. She is an attorney admitted to the Athens Bar Association.

Session Topics:

Factors driving the adoption of rooftop solar PV, as well as the challenges faced.
Technical solutions and novel designs
Business models and considerations for financing of self consumption systems
Fostering skilled workforce as the re sector develops and grows
Considerations for virtual net metering

15:10

Storage Case Study - Key Learnings for the Coming Decades

presentation

20 min.

Guy Vandendungen

Pulsar Power

Session Topics:

15:30

Networking Coffee Break

Another opportunity to expand your network. Why not use our bespoke networking app to schedule a 1-on-1 to meet exactly who you came here to meet?

Session Topics:

SESSION 4

Ensuring PV Longevity

16:10

Experience on Executed Storage Projects in European Markets

presentation

20 min.

The presentation will give insight into the implementation of the 50 MW / 25 MWh Kells plant in Northern Ireland. It is an NMC-Battery Energy Storage System, providing ancillary services under the “DS 3 scheme” to the transmission system operators EirGrid and SONI. This plant has been in operation since October 2022. Furthermore, experience will be shared with the development and implementation of 4 Solar-Battery-hybrid Projects (each 1.5 – 8.7 MWp PV / 0.5 – 2.9 MW BESS), realized under the German “EEG Innovation Auction” scheme, and the implementation of 3 German stand-alone projects (1 x 12MW/12 MWh and 2 x 16MW/16MWh)

Jörg Plesse

ABO Energy

Session Topics:

16:30

Developers Roundtable: Ensuring Longevity & Resilience of PV Plants

panel

45 min.

Prior to commencing operations, it is essential to take into account certain factors during the development and construction phase, as they can significantly influence the operation and maintenance (O&M) of a project. Which alterations have the greatest impact on the time and financial resources of asset managers? Conversely, what modifications can facilitate the most efficient management of an asset? Participate in this session to facilitate collaboration between developers, EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) firms, and asset managers, and bridge the gap between them.

moderator

Dr. Sotiris Kapellos

ELPE Renewables

Dr. Sotiris Kapellos

Director Operations & Development

ELPE Renewables

Eleni Zafeiratou

Interphoton Investment group

Eleni Zafeiratou

Business Development Manager

Interphoton Investment group

Eleni Zafeiratou is leading the development of renewable energy and storage projects, including route-to-market strategies for Greece and other Balkan markets at Interphoton Investment Group. Previously, she has worked in the academic, public and private sectors. She devoted part of her professional career to the European Commission, initially at DG Energy in the Economic Analysis and Financial Instruments unit, working on energy modelling and scenario analysis. Eleni worked extensively in the field of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells as Knowledge Management Officer at the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, where she contributed to a wide range of EU-funded projects while reviewing, analysing and disseminating results and collaborating with the EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) to further advance hydrogen technologies. Eleni holds a Civil Engineering diploma from NTUA and an MSc from UCL in Environmental Systems Engineering. Furthermore, she has been awarded a PhD from UCL Energy Institute. As a researcher, she applied advanced modelling methods to effectively implement secure, affordable, and sustainable electricity on the Greek islands. She has been an author and co-author of several publications in Scientific Journals and Conferences.

Nikos Giannoulis

Iqony Sens

Costas Caralis

Hive Energy

Ypatios Moysiadis

Wattcrop

Ypatios Moysiadis

Managing Partner

Wattcrop

Session Topics:

Finding the right development approach and partners
Biggest challenges in developing new projects
Finding the right land for the right project
Fostering efficient team collaboration
Maintaining profitability while dealing with the market agility

17:15

Closing Words

15 min.

Edwin Koot

Solarplaza

Session Topics:

17:30

Post-Summit Networking Drinks

Session Topics:

Solarplaza Summit | Greece

Welcoming Words by Solarplaza & Chairperson

A Panoramic View of the Greek PV Market

The RE Landscape: A Holistic Market Outlook & Assessment

The UN SDSN Global Climate Hub: Developing the net-zero Resilient Pathways

The Not-So-Smooth Operator: Grid Connection Challenges & Opportunities

Put your Money Where your Mouth Is - Development & Financing

The Critical Role of Storage Solutions in Stabilizing the Energy Grid

Taking a 360° Legal Turn Around Power Purchase Agreements

Corporate PPA Case Study in Greece

Solarcoaster Ride: The Issues & Opportunities of a Highly Volatile Market

New Perspectives

Shooting Through the Roof: Achieving New Milestones for Self-Consumption

Storage Case Study - Key Learnings for the Coming Decades

Ensuring PV Longevity

Experience on Executed Storage Projects in European Markets

Developers Roundtable: Ensuring Longevity & Resilience of PV Plants

Closing Words