APPLICATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF IOANNINA, GREECE

Climate change has become a major topic of discussion in all societies and the transition to a sustainable environment is now considered necessary. Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are an alternative solution for environmental protection. This article focuses on the application of RES technologies in the city of Ioannina, a city in northwestern Greece rich in natural resources, with the aim of becoming energy neutral and independent. Ioannina faces many problems in its urban environment, such as high energy consumption during the winter, which is produced from fossil fuels, as well as aging energy infrastructure. In order to provide answers on how to achieve this goal, a literature review was carried out on similar cases in Greece and abroad, as well as an investigation of the main factors that contribute comprehensively to the energy transition of a region. In addition, interviews were conducted with the municipal authorities and executives of the region, to collect data on the city's energy problems. The aim of this research is to achieve the city of Ioannina environment protection from polluting forms of energy, in combination with economic development and social prosperity.