The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) is a public entity supervised by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, founded in September 1987, and has financial and administrative independence. In accordance with the policy of the Ministry, CRES is active in the fields of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Energy Saving (ES). Its primary aim is to promote technological applications in the above-mentioned fields both at a national and international level. CRES was appointed by Law No 2244/94 as the National Centre for Coordination in the fields of its activity; 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 75 highly qualified engineers and other scientists (the total personnel numbers 132 people) and, over the years, has participated in more than 500 European and national projects. These include R&TD projects, demonstration projects, 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. Since 1992, CRES is located on its wholly owned premises, which apart from the offices also includes experimental outdoor installations, specialized laboratories (biomass, photovoltaics, passive solar systems, wind energy), mechanical shop, conference rooms, a library and a strong computing infrastructure.

More specifically CRES has been involved in numerous projects relating to the following types of activities:

• Strategic studies for dissemination in the fields of RES/RUE/ES
• Promotion activities such as organisation of conferences, workshops, technical meetings, publication of brochures leaflets, announcements, proceedings, production of electronic material
• Dissemination of information to enterprises and specialised bodies on energy matters including the results of research and development of new technologies
• Provision of support to regional and local energy centres in the implementation of their activities
• Establishing and strengthening CRES' international contacts
• Design, implementation and evaluation of specialised training programmes (both short and long term)
• Development and management of databases with information on energy sectors, energy statistics and energy maps
• Development and management of energy models and computer methods for the penetration of new energy technologies into the energy system
• Creation of energy information services infrastructure

CRES co-operates with other institutes, organisations, universities, consultants, international organisations (such as the IEA, UNESCO, ISES, PLEA, IEC, CEN, etc), while it is an active member of various European and international networks, such as the EnR, MEDENER, EUFORES, OPET, EUREC Agency, etc.

It also participates in and provides support for the promotion of the activities of various professional/scientific societies, such as the Greek Solar Industries Association, the Greek Small Hydro Association, ESIF, the Greek CHP Association, the Greek Renewable Energies Forum (ELFORES), etc.

Target audience:

• National, regional and local stakeholders
• Consumers
• Policy makers and Non-governmental organisations
• Suppliers, developers and investors
• Industry
• Research institutes