ERGOPLANNING LTD is a modern consulting company, accredited agricultural advisory structure and certified single payment application host, operating since 2001 in the field of integrated technical and financial support for rural and industrial businesses and public organizations. The company develops and implements national and community funding programs for businesses and organizations and oversees integrated investment projects. Ergoplanning is also active in the field of project planning and development. The Company’s Quality Policy remains consistent and is based on the implementation of the developed and installed Quality Management System, designed in accordance with ELOT EN ISO 9001: 2000.

Services

The business activities include a wide range of services that are integrated and implemented in support of both private client companies and public organizations. Among other things, the company offers opportunity recognition and research services to finance technology, investment and business research activities under national or European programs, actions and initiatives, bank loans and Venture Capital companies, as well as in the monitoring and management of investment projects. on behalf of businesses, institutions and organizations.

In addition, it offers services to Rural & Livestock Enterprises, such as financing studies for Rural Businesses, preparation of Action Plans for Young Farmers – First Setting Premiums, technical support in the implementation of development programs and more. Other occupations of the business include the following: Services to agricultural organizations (eg set up, producer group organization, producer group business plans), Services for the implementation of innovative technologies in the agricultural sector, Services for agrotourism & agro-industrial enterprises, Organization and operation of RES plants using biomass – biogas, such as planning and authorization of biogas & biomass power plants, Services to small and medium-sized enterprises, such as studies to subsidize investment projects funded j from national and EU funds (NDP – ROP – NSRF).

GEOTHERMIKI SA was founded in 1981. Its main activity is the manufacture of galvanized iron skeleton made of over 20 types of greenhouses, covering all the required variety in this field. It is also distinguished for quality construction in poultry and livestock booths, snail and mushroom units and all kinds of metal buildings. The company operates internationally through its network of affiliates and exclusive agents. The partner companies are based in Poland (GEOPOLSKA sp. Zoo) and FYROM (GEOTHERMIKA TEH). The company’s constant presence at major international fairs in Greece and abroad is a characteristic example of its business extroversion and international orientation.

Since 2008, it has been actively involved in the production of metal mountings for photovoltaic cells. Following the demands of the market and the massive shift of investors towards alternative sources of energy and especially photovoltaics, he designed and manufactured a comprehensive range of fixed and rotating bases, offering modern and quality solutions in a rapidly growing and demanding market. GEOTHERMIKI SA offers full technical support from specialized garages, fully achieving its customer service commitments. The purpose of the company is their complete satisfaction, for its quality and services before and after the sale.

The National Research and Technological Development Center (CERTH) was founded in 2000 and is the largest research center in Northern Greece, being a center of excellence for the development and exploitation of innovative technologies. CERTH has won a number of awards, including one of the EU’s TOP-50 research bodies. (21st place) for participation in European Union H2020 programs. It consists of five Institutes, among which is the Institute of Chemical Processes and Energy Resources (IDEP). The Laboratory of Natural Resources and Alternative Energy (EFEM) is one of the founding units of IDPE and has considerable expertise in research – development of innovative membrane processes as well as conventional methods for the processing of various waste, waste recyclable / precious waste products, drinking water treatment, etc.

There are specialized pilot units (fully automated) for research and application studies, such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs), immersed membrane separation systems, special pilot devices for various types of membranes (microfiltration, ultrafiltration), special standard device for membrane distillation and pervaporation for the recovery / condensation of volatile compounds.

Pilot units also operate, with membrane components for studying desalination at various filtration pressures. EFEM has basic laboratory infrastructure (various metering systems) for research as well as complete and specialized analysis of liquids, gases and wastewater. He has participated in many European, national and industrial R&D projects in the aforementioned subjects and has a considerable number of international and national patents (USPTO, EPO, OBI). Among other international events, EFEM has organized a special Conference (2013) and an International Conference (2015) on the full utilization of agricultural by-products / wastewater.

The Laboratory of Agricultural Constructions and Equipment belongs to the Department of Land Improvement, Soil & Agricultural Engineering of the Department of Agriculture of the School of Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Environment. It is housed in the building of the Agricultural Construction Control Center at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The year of establishment of the Laboratory is 1990. Director of the Laboratory is Mr. Thomas Kotsopoulos, Assistant Professor of the Department of Agriculture. The Laboratory covers the research and educational subject of the Department of Agriculture in the following scientific areas:

• Greenhouse environment control and regulation: Greenhouse components. Thermal and optical properties of greenhouse cover materials. Factors affecting the temperature and humidity of air and soil. Greenhouse energy balance. Greenhouse heating, ventilation and cooling. Estimation of dynamic wind pressure in greenhouse design.

• Control and regulation of livestock buildings environment: Energy balance of livestock buildings. Models for determining the heat stroke zone and the low critical temperature of the production animals. Design, feasibility studies and control of agricultural structures.

• Livestock farm equipment: Maintenance, preparation and marketing machinery, animal husbandry and manure harvesting equipment. Ancillary equipment for livestock farms.

• Animal waste management and utilization: Systems for the disposal of animal waste from stables. Waste treatment by physical and chemical methods. Utilization of animal waste by modern biotechnological methods (Energy production – biogas, Protein and feed production from livestock waste, composting).

• Energy saving and application of alternative energy heating and cooling methods in agricultural buildings: Use of passive heating systems, use of shallow geothermal, hybrid heating systems.

The Laboratory has developed many collaborations on the above research objects. The Agricultural Construction Control Center, which has been operating since 2002 under the supervision of the Laboratory, is the only approved body that gives type approval for greenhouse-type livestock structures. The lab collaborates closely with research and training with the Alternative Energy Resources Laboratory of the Department. Agriculture on energy saving issues in agricultural constructions (greenhouses and farm buildings). He has been collaborating with the Heat Transfer and Environmental Engineering Laboratory of the Department. Mechanical Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki on waste energy generation, as well as with the bioenergy group of Denmark Technical University (DTU) for biofuel production.

In addition, the laboratory together with the Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Environmental Engineering and the Laboratory of Statistics and Quantitative Analysis methods have joined the interdisciplinary team at KEDEK. The laboratory has also collaborated with the University of Thessaloniki, the Agricultural University of Athens and many other research institutions both in Greece and abroad. Space for the development of a pilot desalination plant may be reserved for the purposes of the Project.