To this day, the energy source of Greece is comprised mostly of lignite power plants, which produce more than 50% of the gross energy production, while the 40% of the produced energy is consumed to cover the needs of the tertiary sector. The rest mineral energy sources contribute enough (oil, gas) while the contribution of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) doesn’t even reach the 3% of the total.

Nowadays the circumstances and the political decisions of EU have created a new energy related field, in which every national strategy or business initiative must reside. Greece must reduce the greenhouse gases by 8%, and at the same time reach a 20.1% of energy production from RES by 2020. Also, the fuel consumption must be reduced by 70% by 2050 (with 2009 as a reference). There is also a rule that must be followed which has to do with the energy efficiency of the buildings. CO2 emissions are also important to Greece, with an objective being 80% reduction by 2050.

Especially for the vehicles, it has been estimated that there will be 273 million private cars in 2050, and that to comply with the above rules, cars must have their emissions reduced by 95%, which practically means that the energy source must not be mineral fuels. This will lead the research and market of the car industry to the use of electromotion and the wide application of electro motors.

The research scope of all Institutes of CERTH, from the selection of appropriate raw materials, the production, to the distribution/management of green energy, will play an important role in the nation’s reduction of mineral fuels. This will help the country to reduce it’s energy dependency on third countries, and at the same time will boost the economy.