Associate Professor Stella Tsani and Assistant Professor Pantelis Kostis, faculty members of the Department of Economics, published an opinion article in the special "Energy" section of NEA Weekend (February 21-22, 2026) entitled: "Networks, Storage and Innovation as Catalysts of Sustainable Development"
The article analyzes the new phase of the energy transition in Greece, focusing not only on the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), but mainly on the systemic challenges arising from the need to modernize networks, enhance energy storage and utilize digital technologies.
Although Greece is among the European countries with a high share of RES in the energy mix, the performance of the energy system falls short of the country's institutional and investment readiness. The phenomenon of green energy rejection (curtailment), due to network constraints, highlights the limits of the existing model.
The article documents that:
- Investing in storage systems (BESS) can significantly reduce renewable generation losses.
- The digitalization of networks and the utilization of real-time data are a prerequisite for the efficient integration of RES.
- The energy transition is directly linked to regional development, the creation of highly skilled jobs and the strengthening of innovation.
- The interconnection of energy and the digital economy can strengthen Greece's strategic role as a regional energy hub.
The analysis is part of the Department's broader research work in the areas of sustainable development, energy economics, green transition and digital infrastructure reform.