On April 1, 2025, as part of the synergy between the SEEDS and SINCERE projects, a special guided visit took place at the Heron multi-theme Energy Park (Greece), led by Prof. Pantelis Mpotsaris (Democritus University of Thrace – DUTh).
The event highlighted how education, innovation, and sustainable energy can come together to create inspiring real-world demonstrations.

About the projects and the site

– The SEEDS project, co-funded by the European Commission, promotes the electrification of thermal systems in buildings through deep renovation, smart HVAC integration, and renewable energy solutions.

-SINCERE fosters innovation in forest ecosystem services by linking research, policy, and practical application across Europe and beyond, enabling collaborative learning and scalable solutions.

– The Heron Energy Park belongs to the Heron Group, part of the GEK TERNA group one of Greece’s leading integrated energy players in electricity and natural gas production and trading.Heron operates two modern gas-fired power plants with a combined capacity of nearly 600 MW, and is increasingly investing in renewable energy.

Objectives & key takeaways

• Observe real demonstration installations showcasing efficient energy use.
  
• Discuss replication potential for similar educational and energy models.
  
• Exchange on technical, economic, and social challenges of hybrid energy-ecosystem approaches.

Insights & reflections

The visit confirmed that energy flexibility, smart optimisation, and ecosystem integration can thrive within educational environments.
Discussions with @Prof. Mpotsaris and project representatives highlighted pathways for scaling such models across Europe.

🎥 Watch the full video of the visit here : SEEDS-Sincere DUTh.mp4

We invite readers to share their insights and ideas, how can such hybrid approaches be replicated to accelerate the energy transition ?