Innovation

The establishment of the Department of Research Technology and Development (DRTD) in IPTO in 2014, placed the company in a list of domestic as well as European companies with an autonomous and separate R&D department.

DRTD was founded in accordance to similar Departments of European Power Transmission Operators (TSOs), aiming to connect Research and Innovation of Universities - Research Institutes e.tc. with the operational and strategic needs of the company and to attract the know-how in the fields of flexibility, storage, smart management of electric power issues concerning the Transmission System development in order to be ready to embody the forecasted massive RES penetration. Research results contribute to the resolution of the actual operational and strategic Operators’ problems regarding the energy challenges they face.

As part of its activities, DRTD has participated in a number of proposals for undertaking research projects both domestic (ESPA, ELIDEK) but mainly European (Horizon 2020). This effort has been translated into eight (8) European Horizon 2020 programs, which are currently active, with total cash inflows of € 2.8m.

However, DRTD’s contribution to IPTO’s growth and to the domestic market is not limited to the above mentioned cash inflows. DRTD actively helps to reduce the “brain drain” by employing fourteen (14) researchers with academic skills who either returned to Greece or did not leave due to the unique opportunity they were given by IPTO to engage in European-wide competitive research projects, in an exceptional and friendly environment that IPTO provides them with all the necessary means to fulfill their dreams within Greece.

Currently IPTO through DRTD has established its position as one of the most looked-for TSOs in pan-European level to conduct consortiums. Consequently, the number of submitted proposal for European projects is continuously increasing.

Details for the European Horizon 2020 research projects DRTD has undertaken are available below.