Technical topics
Is it possible to install a heat pump as a retrofit measure in an existing building? What criteria must be met, and what are the critical aspects?
Yes, it is possible to install heat pumps in existing building, but building envelope optimization is mandatory: Insulate walls/roof and […]
Social topics
Do small municipalities across Europe have enough institutional and financial capacity to make an energy community viable and sustainable?
Small municipalities are generally interested in the idea of energy communities because they see the potential benefits for local resilience, […]
Financial topics
Is it possible to install a heat pump as a retrofit measure in an existing building? What criteria must be met, and what are the critical aspects?
Yes, it is possible to install heat pumps in existing building, but building envelope optimization is mandatory: Insulate walls/roof and […]
Environmental topics
On top of municipal solid and gardening wastes and black waters, is there any other source of energy within the municipal services scope of activities?
Yes, there are. Grey and rain waters are a very adequate source or sink of heat, which can be used […]
MEET THE TEG EXPERTS
Dr. PhD. Senatro Di Leo (IT)
Dr. PhD. Senatro Di Leo
Environmental and Technical
Senatro Di Leo is a research senior at Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis of National Research Council of Italy. He has a degree in Environmental Engineering and a PhD in Methods and Technologies for Environmental Monitoring. He has twenty years of experience in energy systems analysis and model development and in supporting local authorities in sustainable and resource-efficient strategies. His research activities mainly focus on the generation of TIMES energy models, local climate planning and smart cities. He participated in IEA-ETSAP activities and in several European projects as thematic expert (for example RE-SEEties, RENERGY, “PrioritEE” and “PrioritEE Plus”).
Dr. PhD. Angela Pilogallo (IT)
Dr. PhD. Angela Pilogallo
Environmental and Technical
Angela Pilogallo, M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and Ph.D. in Engineering for Innovation and Sustainable Development, is a researcher at the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA) of the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy. She has a strong background in urban and spatial planning, Ecosystem Services, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Her research activities are mainly focused on sustainable planning, the multifunctionality of nature-based solutions and the potential contribution of the ecosystem-based thinking to local climate plans (mitigation and adaptation).
Cveta Dimitrova (BG)
Cveta Dimitrova
Financial, Legal
Cveta is the CEO of ABERON Ltd. and Chairperson of Institute for Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development and Innovation (IESDI). She holds a Master’s degree in International Economic Relations (Sofia, Bulgaria), a Master’s degree in European Studies (Graz, Austria) and a Post-graduation diploma in Law from the International Development Law Organization (Rome, Italy).
Cveta has more than 20 years of experience in managing European and international projects. She has worked for the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Ministry of Environment and Water (Bulgaria), for the World Bank (USA and UK), and for the European Commission (Belgium and Spain).
Cveta’s specific experience ranges from programming, technical assistance and implementation to monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects funded by the EC, WB and other international donors. The main sectors of her expertise are water and waste water, marine, biodiversity, economics and regional development.
Alan Todi (BG)
Alan Todi
Financial, IoT
Alan holds a degree in Economics and Accounting and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois. He has experience in providing financial management under number EU projects, funder under Horizon, Life+, etc. As an international consultant in land use and regenerative agriculture, he has worked with Stanford Research Institute, with the Ford Foundation, with USAID and others in Thailand, South Korea, Nigeria and USA.
Vasko Plevnik (HR)
Vasko Plevnik
Environmental and Technical
Vasko Plevnik, Project Manager at Enerkon, is an engineer specializing in process, technical, and environmental aspects of energy and waste management. With 15+ years of experience, he has led feasibility studies, waste-to-energy designs, and renewable energy projects. His expertise includes combustion technologies, energy balances, water and flue gas treatment, and DeNOx systems. Key projects include a 13 MW W-t-E in Northern Ireland, hazardous waste incinerators, a 55,000 t/year eMethanol plant, and biomass cogeneration. He co-authored the National Waste Management Plan’s strategic impact assessment.
Andrej Plevnik (HR)
Andrej Plevnik
Environmental and Technical
Andrej Plevnik is CEO and Project Manager at Enerkon, an engineer specializing in environmental and innovative technical solutions with a strong focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy. He has extensive experience in managing photovoltaic, biomass, biogas and geothermal power plant projects, optimizing energy systems, and overseeing the implementation of sustainable technologies. His key projects include the development of off-grid solar power plants with integrated heat pumps and accumulators, biogas plant constructions, and process optimization for industrial energy savings. He is skilled in project coordination, expert supervision, and cost estimation, ensuring efficient resource use and long-term sustainability in energy projects.
Kristijan Hmura (HR)
Kristijan Hmura
Environmental and Technical
Kristijan Hmura is a Project Manager at Enerkon, an engineer specializing in renewable energy generation and energy efficiency. With broad experience in project design, supervision, and regulatory compliance, he has contributed to the development of photovoltaic power plants, biomass and biogas facilities, and industrial energy optimization. His key projects include engineering and supervision for solar power installations, feasibility studies for biomass and biogas storage, and efficiency improvements in industrial heating and cooling systems. He has also led regulatory compliance efforts for renewable energy facilities, ensuring sustainable and cost-effective project implementation.
Guillermo Escobar (ES)
Guillermo Escobar
Environmental and Technical
With a degree in forestry engineering and MSC in Energy Business, Guillermo is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM-I), and certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) by the Association of Energy Engineers.
He has been working on energy efficiency and end use of renewable-related projects since 1985 for several consultancy firms, utilities, as a freelancer and, at present for his own firm (The Energy Keepers, S.L.).
He has been involved in several EU-funded projects since 1993 (4th RTD Framework Programme) to the present, including acting as proposals evaluator.
He combines those jobs with lecturing and training activities, transferring his knowledge and experiences to young professionals and university students, as a collaborator professor for several universities and business schools, as well as the AEE Spain Chapter.
Roman Kekec (SI)
Roman Kekec
Environmental and Technical
Roman Kekec is an Associate director and Project manager at the Local Energy Agency Spodnje Podravje. He is a graduate of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Maribor. With a strong background in engineering, Roman specializes in designing, managing, and implementing both local and international projects.
He has successfully led and contributed to numerous projects under the Horizon and LIFE programmes, as well as various Interreg programmes. Beyond project management, Roman is experienced in energy auditing and the preparation of local energy concepts, providing valuable support to municipalities in their efforts to enhance energy efficiency and sustainable development.
Roman is also an energy consultant for the National Contact Point for Renewable Energy Sources, which is managed by Borzen – the national electricity market operator.
Dr.-Ing. Uli Jakob (DE)
Dr.-Ing. Uli Jakob
Environmental and Technical
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Uli Jakob is managing director of Dr. Jakob energy research GmbH & Co. KG (JER). He has more than twenty-five years of industrial and scientific professional experience, particularly in the product development and commercialization of renewable and energy-efficient technologies. His fields of expertise are building physics, renewable energies and climate engineering, with a particular focus on innovative energy concepts and energy efficiency in industry and urban districts.
He holds a PhD in Applied Thermodynamics from De Montfort University Leicester, U.K. and an engineering degree in building physics from the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences. In May 2020 he received an honorary professorship from the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences.
Dr.-Ing Stefan Spitzer sen. (DE)
Dr.-Ing Stefan Spitzer sen.
Environmental and Technical
Stefan is the Head of Scientific Research at the European Institute for Innovation – Technology e.V (EIfI-TECH) and a recognized authority in explosion protection engineering. Holding a PhD in Engineering from Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, he has guided international safety standards from initial concept to publication and has produced influential, peer-reviewed research.
Stefan oversees the development and strategic support of EU-funded initiatives, including Interreg, Erasmus+, Horizon, and LIFE projects. His work supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the European Union’s aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As a sought-after speaker at international conferences, he excels at translating complex scientific findings into practical, actionable insights.
Additionally, he is dedicated to education and mentorship. He lectures on Industrial Metrology, Renewable Energies, and Process & Facility Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin and has supervised numerous internships and academic theses at all levels.
Benjamin Daumiller (DE)
Benjamin Daumiller
Technical
With more than ten years of experience in the nonprofit and commercial sectors, Ben is passionate about creating new opportunities and solutions for the challenges facing the European economy and society. As the founder and director of the European Institute for Innovation – Technology (EIfI-Tech), he leads and manages a diverse team of experts and partners who work on innovative and impactful projects funded by various EU programmes.
His core competencies include project development and management, sustainable development, innovation management, analytical skills, and communication and dissemination activities. He has a BA in European Energy Economics from FH Kufstein Tirol, Austria, and a strong background in the fields of energy, transport, and mobility. He received the prestigious Diana Memorial Award for Inspirational Young People in 2009.
Michael Preiß (DE)
Michael Preiß
Financial
As an expert in economics, Michael is in the board of directors of the European Institute for Innovation – Technology (EIfI-Tech). He is also managing director of Unicorn Energy GmbH, a company specializing in batteries for electromobility. He has worked for energy distribution companies and construction of buildings.
Sebastian Carl (DE)
Sebastian Carl
Legal
Sebastian is a lawyer and expert in all legal questions for the development of companies and projects. He is chairing the board of directors of the European Institute for Innovation – Technology (EIfI-Tech). He is also founder of two more companies and a driving force in innovative technologies.
Sebastian Kiecker (EE)
Sebastian Kiecker
Financial
Sebastian Kiecker is a Junior Research Fellow at the Johan Skytte Institute for Political Studies at the University of Tartu and an Associate at the Think Tank E3G. His expertise lies in financial policy, with a strong focus on economic strategies for decarbonization.
With several years of experience in the think tank sector, he has worked on security-oriented, renewable energy, and industrial policies. His expertise covers public-private investment strategies and economic policy challenges at the intersection of climate and energy security, engaging stakeholders from civil society, government, and industry.
Oscar Cela Cobo (ES)
Oscar Cela Cobo
Environmental, Technical
Oscar is an Industrial Engineer with over 25 years of experience in projects related to energy, environment, and urban digitalization. Throughout his career, he has specialized in key sectors such as renewable energy, water, district heating and cooling networks, and urban IoT sensor systems, contributing to the transformation of cities towards more sustainable, efficient, and intelligent models.
He has been involved in both the design and implementation of technological and energy solutions, combining technical expertise with regulatory knowledge and hands-on experience in various cities and contexts.
His areas of expertise are renewable energy (photovoltaic, biomass, and other sources), district heating and cooling networks, particularly using biomass, IoT solutions applied to smart cities, water management and treatment, energy communities, environmental analysis using satellite data (Copernicus program) and air quality monitoring.