Articles

Floating solar photovoltaics in Greece. A SWOT analysis

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Floating solar photovoltaics is an emerging solar energy technology which allows the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on the surface of water bodies. It has several advantages and drawbacks compared to ground-mounted solar photovoltaics. There are many applications worldwide while the majority of them are located in Asia. Greece has abundant solar energy resources while many solar photovoltaic systems are installed on the ground and on rooftop of buildings. However, there are not currently installations of floating solar photovoltaics in the country. SWOT analysis is a strategic management tool which helps organizations to assess their internal capabilities and the external environment for making rational decisions for the future. The current study investigates the possibility of developing floating solar photovoltaic systems in Greece using SWOT analysis. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in developing these innovative solar energy systems in Greece have been identified. Our results could facilitate the promotion of this emerging benign energy technology in Greece removing the existing barriers which hinder their deployment. The findings could be used from policy makers, local authorities and renewable energy companies which are involved in the development of renewable energy systems generating green electricity in the country.

Use of Sustainable Energy Sources and Technologies in Primary and Secondary School Buildings in Greece. Can They Eliminate their Carbon Footprint?

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School buildings consume energy covering their energy demand. The most of them utilize fossil fuels and grid electricity while the use of renewable energies is rather limited. School buildings should eliminate their carbon emissions in order to achieve the global target for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The energy consumption and the carbon emissions in schools have been evaluated. School buildings in Greece consume less than 100 kWh/m2 year. Solar thermal energy, solar photovoltaic energy and high efficiency heat pumps can cover all the energy demand in school buildings in Greece replacing the use of conventional energy sources. These energy technologies are reliable, mature and cost-effective. There are 7,756 primary and secondary school buildings in Greece consuming 1.67 TWh/year. The total cost of energy renovation eliminating their carbon emissions is estimated at 1,156,000 €/school or 8.96 billion € for the 7,756 schools in the country. For achieving the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, 310 Greek schools should be energy refurbished every year eliminating their carbon footprint in the next 25 years. Taking into account the availability of benign energy sources and technologies the main barrier for eliminating the carbon emissions in school buildings in Greece by 2050 is the high investment cost. Our results could be useful for the development of the required policies for decarbonization in school buildings.

The Interrelation between Obesity Management and Climate Change in Greece

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Two major global problems of our era are climate change and obesity. Both are interlinked and interconnected having undesired social, economic, environmental impacts as well as harmful impacts on human health. The rate of obesity and overweight in children and adults in Greece is high compared to other EU countries causing many health, social and economic problems. Climate change is foreseen to have severe and harmful impacts in Greece as well as in other Mediterranean countries altering the climate conditions. Obesity and its treatment mitigate climate change, mainly due to the change in the dietary pattern of the treated patients. The proposed diets for managing obesity, based on Mediterranean dietary patterns, have less GHG emissions and lower climate footprint. Climate change makes more difficult the treatment of obesity, mainly due to the rising temperatures. Climate change has undesired and harmful impacts on obesity treatment in Greece while obesity treatment results in the mitigation of climate change in the country. Future policies for climate change mitigation and managing obesity in Greece should take into account their mutual interconnections and interlinkages in order to maximize their effectiveness in treating these two severe pandemics in the country.

Guaranteed Minimum Income in Greece: Main Characteristics, Implementation and Policy Proposals

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The Guaranteed Minimum Income has been implemented in Greece since 2017, although the attempts to its implementation go back to 1998. It is currently a popular social policy tool, as many Greek citizens benefit from it. However, its results need to be further analyzed so that unshakable conclusions are available about its effectiveness and proposals can be drawn up for its further improvement. This article presents the initiatives of the governments to set up a Guaranteed Minimum Income in Greece and investigates its main characteristics and preconditions. The pivot of the survey turns around the impacts of the Social Solidarity Income in Greece, the pros and cons of the policy, as well as policy proposals for more effective implementation.