Constantinos A. Balaras

Research Director

National Observatory of Athens, Greece

Dr. Constantinos A. Balaras is a Mechanical Engineer and Research Director at the Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development in the National Observatory of Athens, Greece. With over 30 years of professional experience and R&D in the areas of Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Conservation, he is actively involved in high-performance sustainable buildings, decarbonization, and the environmental impact of buildings.

Dr. Balaras has participated in over 60 R&D and demonstration projects financed by the European Commission, national ministries and organizations, and the private sector. His research has resulted in over 350 archival journal papers, books, and conference proceedings. He is instrumental in the national EPBD transposition efforts and has focused on building typologies and Hellenic building stock analysis, prioritizing refurbishment actions and collecting real energy consumption data from dwellings.

His current group activities include the sustainability assessment of buildings, neighborhoods, and cities, solar air-conditioning, and the decarbonization of buildings. Dr. Balaras has served on the ASHRAE Board of Directors as Director-at-Large, Society Vice President, and DRC Region XIV – Europe. He is a Fellow of ASHRAE and a recipient of the ASHRAE Exceptional Service Award (ESA), the ASHRAE John F. James International Award, and the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award (DSA).

Dr. Balaras is currently serving on the ASHRAE Technology Council, the Nominating Committee, the SPC240P proposed standard for calculating GHG emissions, and TC 6.7 on Solar and Other Renewable Energies. He is also a member of the Hellenic Technical Chamber as a Professional Engineer.