The Greek Energy Forum (GEF), in collaboration with the American College of Thessaloniki organised the 2nd Energy Union Future Leaders Academy on 12-14 April in Thessaloniki, Greece. The Academy run under the auspices of the European Commission and with the personal support of Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President, Energy Union, European Commission.

This follows the first ever such Energy Academy, which was successfully organised in November 2017 by the Forum and the University of Piraeus and which was inaugurated by Maroš Šefčovič.

The objective of the Energy Academy was to educate promising young individuals on the significance of the European Energy Union and its benefits for the region and highlight the indispensable element of "regionality” in contemporary European energy policy. Among the topics discussed were: 

Security, solidarity & trust: Security of supply in the oil & gas sector; Geopolitical challenges and cooperation in the East Med; The 3rd Energy Package; The role of the Energy Community

Integrated internal energy market: Regulation of markets, energy exchanges and trading; RES integration and interconnections of networks; The fundamentals of energy trading; The shipping aspect of energy

Energy efficiency: Smart grids, smart meters and efficiency standards; Financing energy efficiency projects

Decarbonising the economy: Key elements of the EU emissions trading system; Low-emission vehicles & alternative fuels

Innovation & competitiveness: European technology and innovation platforms; Evolution of the European Energy Research Alliance 

Below are just some of the responses from our participants

''30 ομιλητές 3 μέρες 40 συμμετέχοντες. Ήταν τιμή μας που μας επιλέξατε και ελπίζουμε να μείνατε ικανοποιημένοι από τη δουλειά μας. Όλοι μαζί μπορέσαμε να διαπραγματευτουμε, να συμβιβαστούμε κ να ανταλλάξουμε σημαντικές πληροφορίες κ γνώσεις. Ευχαριστώ ξανά το Greek Energy Forum, την διοργάνωση, τους εθελοντές και το Αμερικανικό Κολλέγιο Θεσσαλονίκης για το εξαιρετικό αυτό event. Κ ελπίζω στο μέλλον να ξανά συνεργαστούμε!'' Karina Iskandarova

'"The Secret of Change Is to Focus All of Your Energy, Not on Fighting the Old, But on Building the New". This quote that U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt wrapped up his speech with, could summarise the unique experience of the 2nd Greek Energy Forum (GEF) we took place in. It was an honour for all of us to contribute to this conference.' Anastasia Tertlidou

'It was an incredible 3-day Energy Academy, by Greek Energy Forum (GEF) and European Commission, covering wide range of demanding topics. Really glad to be among the participants, many thanks to everyone who came to teach us and volunteered for us.' Harry Alevizos

For further information, visit here.