Meet The Team
Dr. Panagiotis Kosmopoulos
Dr. Panagiotis Kosmopoulos is a senior researcher at the National Observatory of Athens with 20 years of professional experience through international projects and initiatives relevant to renewable energy sources. He has more than 240 publications in scientific journals, books, conferences, workshops and invited talks which have received 2800 citations (h-index 27). He exploits computer and environmental science, Earth observations, big data, artificial intelligence, numerical models and modern technologies for solar power planning and management (from big solar farms to rooftop photovoltaic installations), smart cities & grids, digital twins, airborne wind energy, solar electric vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and climate services.
Stavros Vigkos
Stavros Vigkos is affiliated with the Department of Physics at the National Technical University of Athens and the Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development at the National Observatory of Athens. He is hardworking, reliable, excellent time-keeper, with a good sense of humor and a strong background in Nuclear Physics, Lasers and Environmental Physics. His research focuses are solar energy, impact of clouds and aerosols, resource adequacy and climate change. Stavros is dedicated to advancing RES solutions and promoting sustainable development. In his free time, he enjoys learning foreign languages, continuing education, going to the gym and doing martial arts.
Harshal Dhake
Harshal Dhake is a Senior Software Engineer and a Researcher at the core. He has contributed to numerous research and development projects involving several teams over wide demographics. He has worked on improving computer vision techniques, developing Multi Layer Cloud Motion Vectors and Ray-Tracing techniques for improving solar energy forecasting for energy planning applications. He strongly believes in driving the collective force and tackle, solve and overcome challenges both at work and in life. Harshal's interests range from designing intricate systems emphasising on creating highly decoupled micro-services to hunting novel techniques in exploratory research.
Nefeli Melita
Nefeli Melita is completing an MSc in Environment and Development at the National Technical University of Athens, focusing on air quality analysis through satellite imagery for her thesis. She graduated in 2023 with a BSc in Applied Mathematics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She currently works at the National Observatory of Athens under the CIROCCO European Program, focusing on modeling and forecasting atmospheric impacts on solar radiation. Previously, she interned at the same institute, working on cloud forecasting for solar energy. Nefeli has participated in GreenTech challenges and co-authored a research paper on cloud forecasting for solar applications.
Roystan Castelino
Roystan Castelino is a dedicated researcher and innovator in electrical engineering with a focus on renewable energy and power electronics. Graduating as a top performer in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Srinivas Institute of Technology, he received recognition for his impactful BTech project, including the prestigious Gandhiyan Young Technological Innovation Award at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He advanced his expertise with a Master’s in Power Electronics and Drives from NIT Mizoram, showcasing his innovation in the Texas Instruments challenge and at the Global Exhibition on Services. Castelino then completed his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at NITK Surathkal, leading research that produced six patents and numerous publications, along with a significant DST grant to develop a renewable power emulation system.
Effrosyni Baxevanaki
Effrosyni Baxevanaki is a PhD candidate at the University of North Macedonia at the field of Environmental Science and Renewable Energy Sources. She has a research background in Sustainability and Solar Energy, as well as in Astrophysics with a Master’s Degree in Theoretical, Computational Physics and Astrophysics. As a researcher at the National Observatory of Athens she has contributed to a number of publications research papers in peer-reviewed journals, one book and educational material and she has participate in IFFEL Project and the ClimSA Programme as a researcher in the field of renewable energy and sustainability, with a focus in solar energy production.
Henna Toppinen
I am Henna Toppinen and I studied Environmental Sciences as a major at University of Eastern Finland. In my BSc I studied minor as a chemistry and MSc I studied Management and Marketing. In 2021, I did ERASMUS exchange studies at the University of Piraeus (statistics, business management and sustainable management of marine resources). I am interested in what is happening around me and see a lot of opportunities in my field to change current practices for the better so that they are more sustainable for all parties. The strong base of natural sciences such as chemistry, physics and mathematics serve as a good platform for understanding renewable energy sources and applications. As a person, I am easy-going and often hear that I bring good mood with me.
Marianna Basoulou
Marianna Basoulou is a Forester – Environmental Scientist (Democritus University of Thrace) and holds a Master’s degree (MSc) in Energy Systems, specializing in Renewable Energy Development Technologies, from Heriot-Watt University (Scotland) in collaboration with the University of West Attica. She has professional experience in the management and implementation of European and national projects, as well as in the preparation of environmental and forestry studies. Her scientific interests focus on the applications of renewable energy sources, geographic information systems (GIS) management, and issues related to environmental protection and sustainable development. She has participated in scientific conferences and has published a paper titled: “Comparative Measurements of Air Pollution Using Low-Cost Sensors in the Center of Athens and the Mt. Hymettus Aesthetic Forest.”
