1st AI in Energy 2026

Theodora Antonakaki, Director of Bank of Greece’s Climate Change and Sustainability Centre, is
coordinating BoG's work on climate, sustainability and research at the Climate Change Impacts
Study Committee and representing BoG at the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for
Greening the Financial System (NGFS) and at the Eurosystem Climate Change Forum, where she
has been appointed Chair for a two-year term (2025-2026).
She is a graduate of the Polytechnic School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the
University of London, where she was an Honorary Research Fellow. During her career, she has
also been an advisor on issues of sustainability and socioeconomic impact, in a wide range of
projects. She has lectured at the Syracuse University, the University of Stirling, the Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki and the Hellenic Open University. She has written book chapters in
edited books and published at peer reviewed journals.
Ηer work has gained awards from Europa Nostra and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark,
while she has been honored, by the French Republic, with the title of Knight of the French National
Order of Merit (Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite), as an acknowledgment for her
contributions to climate and sustainability issues.

Thalia Valkouma with more than two decades of experience in the infrastructure & renewable energy sector, is a passionate and experienced leader who combines environmental engineering, project and strategic management, sustainability and ESG expertise.

Running a PhD in Environmental Engineering Technology, she also holds an MBA in Business and Project Management, a Master’s in Science (MSc) in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology. She has been trained in the College of Europe on EU energy policy and Governance, Goals and Challenges of the EU Energy Market. She has several certifications in energy, sustainability, management, quality assurance and ESG & CSR.

She has worked for several years as Environmental Project Manager and Strategic Planning Director in the private and public sector and has also acted as advisor and consultant of the Greek Government/Ministries and other international bodies on environment, energy and sustainability. She has delivered various presentations and speeches in different international conferences, forums and trainings.

Since 2016 she is co-founder and owner of Faria Group and Faria Thess S.A, companies focused on investment, development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects.

As President and CEO of FARIA Renewables S.A. since March 2023, she leads a joint corporate formation between FARIA Group and Capenergie 5 Fund managed by OMNES Capital, with the vision to create a leading independent power producer using renewable energy sources [offshore & onshore wind, photovoltaics, hybrid & storage projects, green hydrogen, and innovative solutions] and with the mission to drive green innovation and sustainability, foster strategic partnerships and collaborations, and deliver high-quality and impactful results for stakeholders, partners, and the environment.

Energy economist and electrical engineer with 20+ years of research, regulatory, and industry experience. Former President of the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste & Water (RAAEY, 2023–2025) and of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE, 2020–2023) of Greece. Senior researcher at the University of Cambridge (2007–2009), Senior Energy Analyst at Hellenic Electricity Market Operator and Transmission System Operator (2009-2013) and Special Advisor to the Greek Minister of Environment, Energy & Climate Change (2013–2014). Listed in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists (2023). Research focus: energy, AI agents, electricity and natural gas markets, energy & climate policy, integrated economy–energy–environment (E3) modelling.

Apostolos Panos is Chief Commercial Officer in Principia since March 2024. His previous role was Head of Energy Management in Enel Green Power Hellas. Also held various positions as an engineer in the O&M Department of the company.

Recently, he was elected President of the Hellenic Association of Energy Storage Systems (H.A.E.S.S.).

He is a graduate of the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Patras and holds a Master's Degree entitled "Energy: Strategy, Law & Economics" of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus.

Ο Σπύρος Παπαευθυμίου είναι Καθηγητής στη Σχολή Μηχανικών Παραγωγής και Διοίκησης στο Πολυτεχνείο Κρήτης και Διευθυντής του Εργαστηρίου Βιομηχανικών, Ενεργειακών και Περιβαλλοντικών Συστημάτων. Επιπλέον είναι affiliate Professor στο ESCP Business School, London.

Ειδικεύεται σε θέματα Ανανεώσιμων Πηγών Ενέργειας, ενεργειακής απόδοσης και εφαρμογών εξοικονόμησης ενέργειας. Τα ερευνητικά του ενδιαφέροντα περιλαμβάνουν διάφορες πτυχές των Ανανεώσιμων Πηγών Ενέργειας (αξιολόγηση και προηγμένες εφαρμογές τεχνολογιών και ιδιαίτερα φωτοβολταϊκών και ηλιοθερμικών συστημάτων, εφαρμογή εθνικών πολιτικών που σχετίζονται με τις Ανανεώσιμες Πηγές Ενέργειας, εφαρμογές θέρμανσης και ψύξης με Ανανεώσιμες Πηγές Ενέργειας, Ανάλυση Κύκλου Ζωής και ανάλυση περιβαλλοντικών επιπτώσεων τεχνολογιών μεγάλης κλίμακας), Αειφορία και Κυκλική οικονομία, Διατάξεις εξοικονόμησης ενέργειας, Τεχνολογίες "ευφυών" υλικών για εφαρμογές που σχετίζονται με την ενέργεια, Ενεργειακός χαρακτηρισμός δομικών στοιχείων.

Στο πλαίσιο του ακαδημαϊκού του έργου έχει δημοσιεύσει περισσότερες από 70  εργασίες σε διεθνή περιοδικά με κριτές και έχει αναφερθεί περισσότερες από 3500 φορές, με τρέχον h-index 35. Επιπλέον, έχει συμμετάσχει ενεργά σε περισσότερα από 60 ερευνητικά προγράμματα. Έχει παρουσιάσει εργασίες σε πολλά διεθνή συνέδρια σχετικά με την ενέργεια και έχει διατελέσει κριτής σε διεθνή περιοδικά στον τομέα των Ανανεώσιμων Πηγών Ενέργειας, της Ενεργειακής απόδοσης και της Ενεργειακής πολιτικής, ενώ παράλληλα έχει διατελέσει μέλος σε διάφορες επαγγελματικές και ακαδημαϊκές ενώσεις όπως η International Association for Energy Economics και η International Solar Energy Society. Επιπλέον, έχει δώσει διαλέξεις και έχει επιβλέψει μεταπτυχιακές διατριβές σε διάφορα ακαδημαϊκά ιδρύματα, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των ESCP London, EADA Spain και Montpellier Business School.

Είναι Πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Ενεργειακής Οικονομίας (Hellenic Association for Energy Economics) και συγκαταλέγετο στο κορυφαίο 2% των κορυφαίων επιστημόνων παγκοσμίως για τα 2022-2025 στον τομέα της Ενέργειας, σύμφωνα με την κατάταξη "World’s Top 2% Scientists" που δημοσίευσε το Πανεπιστήμιο του Στάνφορντ.