The term biomass is called any material produced by living organisms (such as wood and other forest products, crop residues, animal wastes, wastes of food industry, etc.) and can be used as fuel for energy production. The result of the industrial manufactured biomass fuel is known in Greece also as pellets. Biomass!

Biomass is the oldest and most widely used renewable energy source. Primitive man, in order to heat and cook, used energy (heat) coming from the burning of wood, which is a kind of biomass. But so far, mainly rural populations all over the world use wood, crop residues (straw, sawdust, worthless fruit or seed) and animal waste (manure, animal fat, useless fish, etc). All the above materials, derive directly or indirectly from the vegetable world. But we can also transform municipal waste (food scraps, paper, etc.) of cities and industries, into energy.

However, research and technological progress made in the last 10 years, have made conversion technologies of biomass extremely attractive globally. Indeed, bio-energy is becoming increasingly larger and more promising. In the most economically advanced countries, it is expected to cover a significant part of future energy production. In Greece, due to economic crisis, people use pellet more and more, mostly for heating, as it is a cheaper alternative fuel; there is an availability of biomass pellets quantity since six factories manufacture pellets nationwide.

Biomass contributes significantly to reducing dependence on imported fuels and it secures energy supply. The energy use of biomass in an area increases employment in rural areas through the use of alternative crops thus contributing to socio -economic development of the region. Pellet is a cleaner and friendlier to the environment fuel compared to oil.

The increased volume and high moisture content, relative to fossil fuels make it more difficult to use biomass. The wide dispersion and seasonal biomass production may present difficulties in the collection, transportation, and storage of biomass that increase the cost of energy utilization. The modern and improved technologies of biomass require expensive equipment, compared with that of conventional fuels.

Geothermal energy is called the natural heat energy of the Earth flowing from the hot interior of the planet to the surface. Geothermal energy is a mild form and practically inexhaustible source of renewable energy and part of the national wealth of our country. The heat transfer takes place in two ways: a) treatment of the interior to the surface. b) transport streams, limited through the zones near the boundaries of tectonic plates, because volcanic and hydrothermal phenomena, such as Yellowstone park.

Geothermal energy is useful as it helps a lot in : Producing electricity, Domestic heating

Heating greenhouses and soil because the plants grow faster and become larger with heat, Cooling and air conditioning, Aquaculture, also known as fish farming

Industrial applications such as seawater desalination (removal of the salt from the sea water) Thermal baths Thermal baths in Edessa, Greece using geothermal energy

In Nothern Greece, lowland Delta Nestos identified two very important geothermal fields. Excellent water quality until the 70th C and very economical depths. In Porto Lagos Xanthi, large-scale geothermal fields produced water temperature until the 82nd C.

In Northern Greece there is an extensive network of 30 geothermal fields with temperatures below 95 ° C. Greece, moreover, together with Italy and Portugal are the only EU countries where there are areas of high enthalpy (temperature of liquid greater than 150 º C) and which can be exploited geothermal electricity generation.

Solar energy characterizes all the various forms of energy coming from the Sun. Such is the light, heat and various forms of radiation or radiant energy.

Solar energy is a renewable power, that means, it never ends It is a non pollutant energy In Greece, at summer, we have many sunny days. For example, Athens counts 2884 h (240days) of sunshine. That means we can have a enormous free production of electricity

At the winter the production is decreased A photovoltaic park is a very expensive investment, which also requires maintenance

The tracker can produce more electricity than the stable because it follows the sun. The sun power is collected and converted at photovoltaic parks. There are two types of photovoltaic parks: The stable… …and the tracker

The stable photovoltaic park consists of: The panels collect the sun power and send it to the inverters The inverters which are located under the panel, convert the sun power to electric power INVERTERS CONTROL ROOM

Another very frequent use of the solar energy in many Greek houses is the solar water heater Every shower we take using the water from the solar heater instead of electric equipment, equals to 3 kilos of carbon dioxide less to our atmosphere

Hydroelectricity is the electricity produced by the power of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy, produced in 150 countries. China is the largest producer of such energy. The cost of hydropower is relatively low, making it a competitive source of renewable electricity.

12% of Greece's electricity comes from Hydroelectric stations. Studies show Greece can produce hydroelectricity up to 21 billion KWH. So far only 25% (5 billion KWH) of this energy is produced with 12 big and 8 small hydroelectric stations.

The Thisavros Dam is located on the Nestos River in the region of Drama in the northeastern Greece. The 172 m high dam is the tallest in Greece and it was constructed between 1986 and The purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production. The power station’s type allows it to not only generate power but the turbines can return the water back into the reservoir.

The dam is made of stone and it has three entrances. It is also a well-known tourist attraction of the region, visited by many schools every year for educational purposes.

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into electrical power, mechanical power, etc. Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into electrical power, mechanical power, etc.

ADVANTAGES ADVANTAGES The wind is an inexhaustible source of energy, which indeed is free. The wind is an inexhaustible source of energy, which indeed is free. It does not pollute the environment with hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide, compared to conventional power plants. It does not pollute the environment with hazardous air pollutants like carbon monoxide, compared to conventional power plants. DISADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES Noisy Noisy Aesthetic charge of the landscape. Aesthetic charge of the landscape. The birds may get caught in the windmills’ fans. The birds may get caught in the windmills’ fans. Electromagnetic harassment in telecommunications, radar, television, etc. Electromagnetic harassment in telecommunications, radar, television, etc.

Greece is a country with a Greece is a country with a long coastline and vast number of islands. It is well- known that strong winds blow mainly on islands and coastal areas. long coastline and vast number of islands. It is well- known that strong winds blow mainly on islands and coastal areas. In our days, the wind energy is estimated to cover 13.6% of all the electrical needs of the country In our days, the wind energy is estimated to cover 13.6% of all the electrical needs of the country

Thrace has 178 wind generators and 13 Aeolian parks!

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