Rosie Christodoulaki is representing the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES), one of the sixteen partners in the ASTEP project. CRES is the Greek organisation for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Energy Saving (ES) and has been appointed as the national co-ordination centre in its area of activity. Its main goal is the research and promotion of RES/RUE/ES applications at a national and international level, as well as the support of related activities, taking into consideration the principles of sustainable development.
The Division of Renewable Energy Sources and its Solar Thermal Systems Department is active in the research, development, demonstration, support, training and promotion of technologies of thermal solar collectors and systems of low, medium and high temperature, energy storage and related devices / processes.
What have you learnt along the way? Could you please provide any tips for the young scientists involve in their first steps of their research careers?
My biggest lesson is that the difficult technical problems are solved only when people cooperate and work together as a team. My tips for the young scientists are: Patience is a merit that can save you from a difficult situation. Do things that represent your personality, set strict quality requirements to your work, always respect the people above you, think positive and keep your office clean!
What do you consider to be your most important contribution up to date?
I have been honoured to participate in great European research projects, where I had the chance to gain experience in the development and validation of simulation models.
What would you think will be a key contribution in this broad field for the future?
To help industries recovering more heat and become prosumers.
Regarding the ASTEP project:
Why did you chose this project? Why this research needs to be done? /Could you please comment regarding the need of undertaking this project?
Industries today need to reduce CO2 emissions, to avoid penalties and to align with their customers that have become more environmentally friendly. The concept of this project to integrate solar thermal energy into the industrial process has great replication potential and I am very glad to participate.
Could you please think about a brief summary about this project for a non-academic audience, a take-home message?
This project provides a practical insight on how solar energy can meet the Heating and Cooling needs of the industries.
How have you brought your vast expertise into the project? / How does this study relate to your other work? / What is your role and your institution role in this project?
The Solar Thermal Dept of the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Savings CRES contribute to the solar thermal system installation in a Greek dairy industry, as well as to the dissemination and exploitation of the results. This is a challenging project, so my professional expertise in solar thermal systems design, monitoring and performance analysis is needed to perform the tasks.
What are the challenges on this field? What will be the contribution of ASTEP project?
The great challenge is the demanding industrial environment that does not allow interruptions in the heating and cooling supply. The ASTEP project aims at developing a novel solar collector, especially designed for industries and at developing novel capsules for heat storage materials. These two solutions are expected to contribute to the deployment of solar energy in industries.
Thank you very much for your time.
Interviewer: Dr. Ruth Herrero (UPCT)
Interviewee: Rosie Christodoulaki (CRES Solar Thermal Dept )
Author and Executive editor: Gianna Avgousti (eBOS)