Solarplaza Summit Greece

Wednesday 22 November 2023

19:00

Pre-Conference Networking Event

Thursday 23 November 2023

Program

09:10

Welcoming Words by Solarplaza & Chairperson

10 min.

Session Topics:

SESSION 1

A Panoramic View of the Greek PV Market

09:20

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

09:40

Greece Goes Green: Objectives for Licencing, Tax & Regulatory Frameworks

presentation

20 min.

The legislative elections of 2023 have a significant impact on the country’s economic developments, including the renewable energy market, as the new policies and priorities will navigate PV investments and developments. This session will assess the forthcoming regulatory, licensing, and tax objectives for the Greek energy market.

Session Topics:

Assessing the regulatory environment for renewable energy
Providing incentives and funding for companies and projects in the sector, leading to increased growth and adoption of renewable technologies
Looking at essential requirements to accelerate the pressing global climate objectives

10:00

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

presentation

20 min.

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:

10:20

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

panel

50 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.

Dr. Sotiris Kapellos

ELPE Renewables

Dr. Stelios Loumakis

Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers

Session Topics:

Modernising the transmission and distribution infrastructure to improve efficiency & reduce transmission losses
Optimising 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

How Storage Solutions May Transform the Greek RE Market

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. Additionally, storage solutions can help to reduce energy costs by allowing businesses and households to shift their energy consumption from peak to off-peak periods. But is it all so rosy? This session will look at possible next steps to implement and leverage storage solutions for renewable energy in the Greek market.

Session Topics:

Developing policies and incentives to encourage investment in energy storage technologies.
Improving the costs and effectiveness of energy storage systems

12:00

Taking a 360° Turn Around Power Purchase Agreements

presentation

60 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

Rania Peppa

Enel Green Power

Gerasimos Takis-Defteraios

Optimus Energy

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

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

14:30

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

panel

40 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 Ltd

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

Agri & Floating PV: Evaluating the Challenges & Opportunities

presentation

30 min.

Agri and Floating PV plants hold immense potential for the future of renewable energy, as they can maximise land utilisation, boost renewable energy production, and provide additional income to farmers. However, challenges such as land availability, crop yield reduction, and integration with farming practices need to be addressed for successful implementation and widespread adoption.

Session Topics:

Examining the environmental impact of Agri PV and FPV installations
Optimising land and water use
Efficient resource management
Making and navigating smart design choices
Status of project bankability

15:40

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

The Growing Significance of O&M in an Evolving Market

20 min.

As the solar industry matures, so do its assets, and proven operations & maintenance (O&M) practices become of increasing essence. This case study will give hands-on insights into the importance of O&M in a growing solar market and discuss strategies for managing solar assets.

Session Topics:

Assessing the true cost of O&M
Taking asset management to the next level through novel technologies

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

Eleni Zafeiratou

Interphoton Investment group

Nikos Giannoulis

STEAG

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.

Session Topics:

17:30

Post-Summit Networking Drinks

Grab a soft drink, glass of wine, or a nice cold beer, and discuss the shining solar ambitions for next year!

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

Greece Goes Green: Objectives for Licencing, Tax & Regulatory Frameworks

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

How Storage Solutions May Transform the Greek RE Market

Taking a 360° Turn Around Power Purchase Agreements

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

New Perspectives

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

Agri & Floating PV: Evaluating the Challenges & Opportunities

Ensuring PV Longevity

The Growing Significance of O&M in an Evolving Market

Developers Roundtable: Ensuring Longevity & Resilience of PV Plants

Closing Words