The Agricultural University of Athens has organized an International Confere

The Agricultural University of Athens hosted on Wednesday, January 31 2024, a global conference entitled: "Water Management: problems, challenges and solutions", which took place at the Amphitheatre of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, on 119 Mesogeion Avenue in Athens. The conference has been held under the framework of the research project BriZE (Brine Zero Emission), which is co-funded by the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEAFM) for the period 2014-2021, as well as by the National Resources of the Public Investments Programme – (PIP).

BriZE project is awarded a grant by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway by means of EEA-GRANTS, whereas its objective involves promotion of the development of innovative solutions regarding decarbonisation and efficiency of water use on the island of Kimolos towards a green, inasmuch a competitive and inclusive Europe. The principal subject-matter of the project entails increase in the water supply on the island of Kimolos, through the installation of a Reverse Osmosis Desalination Unit (RO), having a capacity of 220 m3/day. Desalination will be powered by a photovoltaic array of 100 kWp, while at the same time, the high concentration reject (brine) is treated in part by an innovative Brine Treatment System of a capacity of 4.0 m3/day. As a result, the total freshwater production will increase by 224 m3/day.

             Τhe Vice Rector for European University, Internationalization and Student Affairs of the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) Ms. Helen Miliou, Professor, has commenced the opening of the conference and presented briefly, a number of actions of the Alliance of the nine (9) European Universities EU-CONEXUS, of which AUA is a partner, with a view to Smart Urban Coastal Zone Sustainability. Furthermore, Ms. Ioanna Tzika, Head of the Special Service of the National Focal Point of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEAFM), along with the Head of the Sub-Directorate of the Environment Sector of the NSRF Executive Structure of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, Mr. Constantinos Giannaris, have addressed their speeches and subsequently some significant research activities have been featured, related directly to the issue of Water Resources Management by Academics on behalf of the University of Iceland, the Agricultural University of Athens, the Technical University of Crete, the National Technical University of Athens, besides the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. That event has been coordinated by the Associate Professor of the Agricultural University of Athens, who is also the Scientific Manager of the Project, namely Mr. Dimitris Manolakos.