12.Participation of the Agency in Research Projects for nZEBs

The cooperation of a Public Entity with a research organization helps the Entity to have direct access to the most up-to-date scientific knowledge on nZEB issues.

In Greece, through the collection of data from involved Municipalities and Regions, the following Research Entities emerge:

• Branch of HIT/CERTH in Rhodes. The Hellenic Institute of Transport (HIT) offers basic and applied research, as well as high-level technical services in the field of transport.
• Branch of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in Rhodes.
• Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH). Its headquarters and Central Directorate are in Heraklion, Crete. The Foundation focuses on new interdepartmental research directions of great scientific, social and economic interest and high added value, such as: Chemical Engineering, Energy, Environment, etc.
• Technical University of Crete. There are five one-departmental academic engineering schools operate with pioneering specialties.
• The University of the Aegean is active in the field of education and research in modern and dynamic sectors.

In Albania, research regarding energy savings in the Albanian building sector is significantly limited. Within the framework of the project “Capability building for monitoring, verification and evaluation of Energy Efficiency Policy in South-East European countries in the EU integration process”, energy supply and energy consumption are defined for the current situation in Albania's public and private services sectors.

Important additional parameters regarding collaboration with research organizations are the degree of development of collaborations of the Entity with Research Institutions (Universities, Research Centers, etc.) for the development of nZEB buildings, the level of knowledge about the possibilities for collaborations with Research Institutions active in the field of nZEBs and finally, the possibilities of the staff of the Entity for collaborations with the Research Bodies with activity in the field of nZEBs.