Alexandros Chronis is a PhD candidate at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and a researcher at the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS). His work focuses on energy communities, local energy markets, and peer-to-peer energy trading. As a founding member of the Collective Energy Cooperative, Alexandros actively promotes energy communities in Greece. In this interview, he shares his reflections on hosting the first SynGRID Showcase event in Athens and discusses ICCS’s role in the SynGRID project.

The 1st SynGRID Showcase event recently took place in Athens, hosted by ICCS. Could you tell us the main goal and key outcomes of the event?

The primary goal of the event was to bring together SynGRID partners and key local stakeholders from the energy sector to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and identify innovation gaps. It also served as a platform to foster potential collaborations. The event was highly successful in promoting mutual understanding, strengthening partnerships, and building momentum for the project’s next phases.

Beyond hosting, what is ICCS’s broader role in the SynGRID project?

ICCS plays a pivotal role in SynGRID, leveraging its extensive experience in leading and participating in R&D initiatives. It is responsible for developing and coordinating the project’s assessment framework, while also contributing to capacity-building activities and knowledge transfer among partners.

How has the collaboration with partners from Slovenia and Croatia been so far? What do you see as the main benefits of this cross-border cooperation?

Our collaboration with partners from Slovenia and Croatia has been both productive and enriching. Building on an established relationship with the University of Ljubljana and engaging with new partners has added valuable perspectives. Given the technological, innovation, and even cultural similarities across the participating countries, this cross-border cooperation has facilitated a strong sense of synergy and mutual learning.

Looking ahead, what are the next steps for ICCS in the context of the project?

Looking forward, ICCS will continue its active engagement in the project by participating in the upcoming summer school in Ljubljana and organizing the first PhD exchange. These initiatives aim to further strengthen academic collaboration, foster knowledge sharing, and support the development of researchers within the SynGRID network.