The Energy Policy and Development Centre (KEPA) was established in 1996 within the institutional framework of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), aiming to study issues related to Energy and Climate Change.
With emphasis on cooperation and knowledge transfer in the EU and Black Sea countries, KEPA promotes in a consistent manner the issues of development, evaluation and promotion of Climate Change policies, the development of optimal intercontinental energy corridors, Energy Efficiency, etc.
In cooperation with academic research institutes from EU and Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization (BSEC) Member – States, it is carrying out EU (FP5, FP6, FP7, H2020) and BSEC projects; KEPA is an outward-looking pillar of international cooperation among the University of Athens and the countries of the region that also cover Caspian, Mediterranean and Far East countries.
It has long-term experience in organizing international scientific and governmental meetings, seminars and conferences at its headquarters, at BSEC countries and Central Asia, in organizing tele-seminars and teleconferences. Its members are involved in international training programs for governmental officials on Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (TAIEX).
KEPA organizes every October in Athens, the International Scientific Conference on Energy & Climate Change, under the auspices of BSEC and the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative (UNAI). In 2017 at the anniversary event of 10 consecutive years, the conference will consist of the following three parts: 1) 2nd Green Energy Investment Forum, 2) Scientific Sessions, 3) Brokerage event.
KEPA is housed in the only bioclimatic building of the University of Athens, in the University Campus (Panepistiomiopolis), and is the seat of the PROMITHEASnet network, consisting of twenty-five academic institutions from 16 BSEC countries and Central Asia. The entry of the KEPA into the United Nations Academic Impact initiative (UNAI) has increased the capabilities of the PROMITHEASnet network to promote the influence of the NKUA internationally.
Its strong international presence is expressed - in addition to the coordination of European scientific programs - by its participation as a guest – centre in the meetings of the Working Group on Energy (WGE) and in corresponding Ministerial Meetings of BSEC. In 2014, it was commissioned by BSEC to set up and coordinate the BSEC – Green Energy Network, under the auspices of the Permanent International Secretariat (BSEC – PERMIS), to promote policies and measures, to attract investments in Renewable Sources Energy and Energy Efficiency. The network includes scientific centers, national administrations, researchers and private companies from the BSEC countries and the EU.
As part of these activities, it has taken the initiative to organize a Green Investment Forum in BSEC countries, while it provides expertise in developing countries to access the Green Climate Fund (UNFCCC) resources.
KEPA has a strong editorial activity as i) it compiles and circulates electronically the bimonthly PROMITHEASnet Newsletter to more than 23,000 recipients (scientists, researchers and public and private sector executives) in 170 countries; ii) it issues the six-months bilingual (English - Russian) scientific journal entitled "Euro-Asian Journal of Sustainable Energy Development Policy", assisted by an international thirty-member scientific committee; iii) it delivers the biennial review “Energy View of BSEC countries” with the purpose of mapping the policies on Energy and Climate Change in the member – states of the Organization, and iv) releases issues of special topics.
Contact:
Address: University Campus Ilisia, 157 84
Telephone: (+ 30) 210-727 5732, 210-727 5809
Fax: (+30) 210-727 5828
E-mail: epgsec@kepa.uoa.gr
