| Meteorological Observations
& Measurements |
|
The Institute of Environmental Research and Sustainable Development
(IERSD) has been performing continuous meteorological observations
for over 150 years at Thissio site. As a result, it has the
largest, most complete and reliable climatological records
in the country. These observations include measurements of
air & ground temperature, relative humidity, wind speed,
wind direction, barometric pressure, evaporation, rainfall,
cloudiness, visibility, sunshine duration and miscellaneous
phenomena. Solar radiation and more recently daylight measurements
are also recorded at the meteorological station at Thissio.
Since 2000, meteorological data are available on a routine
base from the IERSD meteorological station at Penteli site.
These data include measurements of air temperature, relative
humidity, wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure,
rainfall, as well as solar radiation & daylight.
The data are available in a database and they are published
every year in the
Climatological Bulletin, which is edited by the Institute.
Since 1998, Climatological Bulletins are available in CD-ROM
as pdf files. From 2000, the CD-ROM contains
the meteorological data from the Penteli site.
The Bulletin is dispatched to 80 national and 60 foreign organizations
(Universities, Research Centers and Libraries).
| Scientific Activities Within
the Institute |
 |
There are a number of research teams in IERSD active in the
following thematic areas:
| 1. Air Pollution/Quality |
|
|
|
The Air Pollution/Quality and impact assessment of
human pressure on the environment with activities in
monitoring of air pollution for compliance and control
of emissions, local scale amd regional air pollution
modelling, urban air pollution modelling, use of remote
sensing in emission mapping and control, health exposure
assessment, and environmental policy issues, implementation
and enforcement of environmental legislation.
|
| 2. Energy Conservation |
|
|
|
Energy Conservation
research places emphasis on Research & Application
in: Energy conservation, thermal and solar building
applications, photovoltaics, building renovations, analysis
and numerical modeling of thermal energy systems, building
energy audits, indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems,
environmental issues related to the building sector.
Participation in EC & national projects, attract
collaborations with other organizations and the private
sector.
|
| 3. Atmospheric Research |
|
|
|
Atmospheric
Research covering applied research in the physical/optical
properties of the atmosphere, atmospheric aerosols and atmospheric turbidity
(subjects also related to satellite and space applications).
Wind energy measurements and simulations. Atmospheric
boundary-layer applications. Solar radiation measurements and modelling. Solar energy applications for
horizontal and inclined surfaces including PVs and Solar Atlases. Development of Meteorological
Radiation Model (MRM).
|
| 4. Atm. Chemistry and
Climate Change Modelling |
|
|
|
The focus of research interests is on the study of
atmospheric chemistry
and climate change using global and regional models.
The chemical models have a detailed description of physics
and chemical reactions and their results are used to
understand the mechamisms involved in the transport
and chemical transformation of pollutants. The main
goal is the study of the origin and transport of pollution
in the Eastern Mediterranean region using data from
ground measurements or aircraft campaigns. In the field
of climate change the group uses and processes data
from global climate models in order to obtain a better
estimate of the future climate of the earth. The main
focus is the study of change of extreme events due to
anthropogenic impacts both regionally in Greece and
in Europe. Moreover the impacts of climatic changes
on several sectors are also examined. These sectors
include forest fire risk, energy usage, population health
and tourism.
|
| 5. Energy Planning &
Sustainable Development |
|
|
|
The focus of the research activities on
Energy Planning and Sustainable Development is on
research and advisory services on energy planning, sustainable
energy, sustainable development that cover technical,
economic, environmental and social aspects and issues.
Primary among these are concerns that step from the
impending climate change and the efforts to initiate
adequate adaptation and mitigation actions.
|
| 6. Environmental Impact
and Health Assessment |
|
|
|
Atmospheric
Chemistry - Environmental Impact and Health Assessment
with objectives relevant to issues of environmental
impact assessment, environmental management, and protection
of the environment and of the human health and safety.
It's main research directions, in our efforts to sustain
environment and enhance living quality standards, are:
- the investigation of pollution issues and the assessment
of their impact on human health and environment, and
- integrated environmental management and pollution
prevention and control.
|
| 7. Climate, Weather,
Water & Sustainability |
|
|
|
Climate,
Weather, Water & Sustainability research places
emphasis on addressing, in a concerted fashion, the
two-way influences between the environment, with emphasis
on the atmospheric environment, on current and future
society activities and development plans. These include
the pressures that potential regional and local long-term
climate change as well as severe weather effects will
cause on water resources, energy, agriculture, coastal
zones, human health and human settlements/transportation/climate-sensitive
industry, all areas crucial for the economic and social
prosperity in the country.
|
| 8. Radar Meteorology
/ Remote Sensing |
|
|
|
The Radar
Meteorology / Remote sensing places emphasis on
remote sensing with ground based sensors of clouds,
rain and atmospheric turbulence. This includes the development
of hardware and algorithms for the retrieval of atmospheric
parameters from raw measurements as well as the understanding
of physical mechanisms within clouds and in the atmospheric
boundary layer.
|
| 9. Instrumentation Servicing |
|
|
|
IERSD checks and calibrates meteorological instruments
as well as repairs and maintains its own instrumentation,
within the frame of the recently developed relevant
laboratory (LMIC). After the recent renovation of the related
instrumentation, the group of the Instrumentation Servicing
Laboratory became able to calibrate almost any meteorological
instrument.
|
| International Cooperation
and Participation in Networks |
|
In the frame of the research projects presented in the previous
section, the IERSD collaborates with numerous Institutions,
Universities and companies nation-wide, as well as others
in Europe and the rest of the world.
Finally, the IERSD has long been involved in the organization
of scientific meetings in collaboration with important Research
Centers and Educational Establishments in the country. The
IERSD has been selected as an Air Topic Center by the European
Environmental Agency, from 1994 till 2000.
| Services |
|
Consultancy and support of Greek authorities with respect
to Climatological and Meteorological issues, the assessment
of environmental and economic benefits from and necessary
investments for the implementation of international agreements
on emission reductions for greenhouse gases and other chemicals,
including the Kyoto protocol and the UN ECE protocols on emission
reductions of various contaminants, as well as the implementation
of the EU directives on the protection of the environment,
such as the Air Quality Directive.
Support to the qovernmental entities for development/ improvement
of frameworks for better assessment of environmental changes
and proper management of environmental resources
Finally, annually the Institute provides in the form of Meteorological
Bulletin the data base of its measurements to Research and
Academic Institutes and any organization or individual that
applies for it. Among these are
Attiko Metro, Olympic Metro, the Public
Power Corporation, the Municipality of Athens, the Athens
International Airport, the ATTIKH
ODOS company, the Energy Center of Crete, the Energy Center
of the North Aegean, and various high scools (in the frame
of environmental education).
The following organizations receive data on a monthly basis:
the National Meteorological Service, the Athens HILTON hotel,
the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company, several newspapers,
hotels etc.
Development of an Intermediary Office at NOA
This activity aims in:
- Organize the distribution and the financial exploitation
of the outcome of the research, that is carried out by the
four Institutes of NOA.
- Provide technological and other specialized scientific
services to other Institutes or Companies.
- Investigate the needs of the productive sector that are
related with the research topics of the Institutes of NOA
and to organize the proper communication channels with them.
Current Development in Earth, Atmospheric and Space Applications
(GAIA)
Mobility programme for high school teachers. Financed by the
Hellenic Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs.
|
IERSD
homepage
HISTORY 
back page