The University of Western Macedonia is participating in the European project EnTRAINER, which is presenting its results and opening new pathways for energy transition in the industrial sector of Southeastern Europe. The Power and Energy Systems Laboratory of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering organized an event at the ZEP University Campus, highlighting how EnTRAINER is reshaping the concept of energy audits.
The project introduces a new, comprehensive methodology called Energy Transition Audits (ETA). This approach provides industries with a practical action plan, capable of guiding them step by step toward the decarbonization of their facilities. The initiative is implemented by partners in four countries, Greece, Romania, Italy and Spain, where the application of energy audits remains more limited compared to other regions of the EU.
The EnTRAINER methodology is supported by a complete educational framework. It includes training programmes for energy auditors, energy specialists and business executives, as well as a modern digital platform that provides new tools, freely available to industry professionals. At the same time, practical support is provided on industrial sites to ensure the proposed actions are implemented in practice and that available funding tools are utilized. So far, 80 preliminary audits, 40 full ETA analytical audits and another 40 audits conducted by auditors trained through the project have been completed.
Within the project framework, 240 energy auditors, 240 energy specialists and 400 business executives have already been trained. These activities are expected to lead to investments of approximately €16 million and contribute both to energy savings and the production of renewable energy.
During the event, Emeritus Professor of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Grigoris Papagiannis, highlighted the new requirements set by European energy efficiency policies. He emphasized that the new directive foresees an 11.7% reduction in primary and final energy consumption, a 1.49% reduction in the use of conventional fuels and the strengthening of district heating and cooling systems. He also underlined the need for a 1.9% annual reduction in public sector energy consumption and the integration of these directions into national energy and climate plans.
Assistant Professor of the University of Western Macedonia, Angelos Bouhouras, focused on the crucial role of employee participation in the energy audit process, noting that energy transition can only be achieved when everyone, regardless of hierarchy, actively contributes to the shared effort.
The event confirmed the pivotal role of EnTRAINER in preparing industry for the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition. The collaboration of entities, businesses and the scientific community was highlighted as a key prerequisite for the transition toward a low-emission, high-efficiency energy future.
University of Western Macedonia
