The 29th PRES International Conference’26 brings to the island expertise in energy conservation and pollution reduction in the context of industrial production and resilient cities.
From October 11 to 14, 2026, Rhodes will host PRES’26, the 29th international conference on the holistic optimization of complex processes aimed at energy conservation and pollution reduction. The event highlights the contribution of research—enhanced by artificial intelligence and machine learning—to the more efficient use of natural resources for the sustainable production of goods and services,including tourism, with the smallest possible environmental footprint.
Rhodes must continue to remain beautiful and attractive, offering its magnificent landscapes and wonderful climate by investing in sustainable development and the smart use of natural resources, which will ensurethat future generations will enjoy everything we enjoy today.
Finally, Rhodes—once a global center of technology in antiquity— is becoming a hub of knowledge with the announcement of the latest achievements in the efficient use of energy and water in industrial production and urban needs.
International expertise with practical applications
PRES’s scientific expertise focuses on the comprehensive design of production and energy systems. It examines how individual facilities and operations can be combined more effectively. A prime example is the recovery of heat that would otherwise be lost. Through modeling and optimization, researchers compare technological options based on their energy efficiency, cost, and environmental impact.
The program covers clean technologies, renewable energy sources, heat transfer, sustainable production, and waste management. It also includes transportation and supply chains, as well as special sessions on carbon dioxide capture, storage, and utilization, and sustainable aviation.
With nearly three decades of experience and previous events in Europe and Asia, PRES has established an international framework for knowledge exchange between research and industry. Announced speakers for the keynote lectures include Professor Stratos Pistikopoulos, director of the Texas A&M Energy Institute, Professor Ming Xu of Tsinghua University, and Dr. Béla Kelemen of the Hungarian oil and gas group MOL. The combination of academic research and industrial experience allows for discussion of both new technologies and the conditions for their implementation.
The Significance of the Conference for Rhodes
For Rhodes, the conference’s relevance is tied to specific sectors of the local economy. More efficient heating and cooling of hotels and other facilities, energy conservation, and waste reduction are issues where scientific knowledge can support better technical choices. The conference provides an opportunity for local organizations and professionals to connect with research teams and explore collaborations tailored to the island’s needs.
Holding the conference in October can also boost economic activity beyond the peak summer season. The conference’s requirements for lodging, dining, and transportation for conference attendees create opportunities for local businesses, while hosting a long-standing international conference enhances Rhodes’s profile as a conference destination. Capitalizing on the contacts and knowledge gained after the conference concludes can provide more lasting benefits to the local community.
Organization and Program Committee
PRES’26 is co-organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (MENG AUTH), the Institute of Chemical Processes and Energy Resources (IDEP/CPERI) of the National Center for Research and Technological Development (CERTH), and the PRISE Foundation.
The conference is chaired by Panagiotis Seferlis, a professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Athanasios I. Papadopoulos, research director at IDEP/CERTH, in collaboration with Petar Sabev Varbanov, president of the PRISE Foundation.
The event is organized with the support of the scientific journal *Processes*, DERMAE (Rhodes Municipal Enterprises Single-Shareholder S.A.), and the Municipality of Rhodes.