Simtel, an engineering and technology group and a national leader in renewable energy, together with PRIME Batteries Technology, one of the leading energy storage solutions manufacturers in the European Union and the only battery producer in Romania, announce the signing of a partnership for the development of advanced renewable energy technologies. The partnership aims to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate the implementation of sustainable projects, both in Romania and across Europe. The first innovative project, jointly carried out and self-funded by these two Romanian companies, is an energy storage system powered by solar energy at the Romanian Prodromu Skete, located on Mount Athos, Greece.
“At Simtel, recognized as a market leader in renewable energy in Romania, we are constantly focused on innovation and sustainability in all our projects. The partnership with PRIME enables us to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that address today’s energy efficiency needs and reduce carbon emissions. By integrating the most advanced technologies in renewable energy, we contribute to cost optimization for our clients while enhancing energy independence in remote or logistically challenging locations. We are committed to providing reliable, scalable, and environmentally friendly solutions that support both companies and local communities in their transition to green energy sources,” stated Mihai Tudor, CEO of Simtel.
Mount Athos is a spiritual center of global Orthodoxy, hosting over 20 Orthodox monasteries with a history spanning hundreds of years. Situated on an isolated peninsula in northern Greece, this place is renowned for its historical, religious, and cultural significance, attracting believers worldwide for centuries. Over time, Romanian rulers and the Romanian people have played an essential role in supporting the monastic communities on Mount Athos, with their substantial donations contributing to the preservation of Orthodox traditions and the maintenance of monasteries and sketes throughout the peninsula.
“This innovative project marks a milestone in our joint efforts to support Europe’s transition to clean and sustainable energy. Through this collaboration, we have successfully implemented a cutting-edge energy storage solution that enhances energy efficiency while significantly contributing to carbon emissions reduction. This achievement highlights our ability to deliver robust and efficient solutions for solar energy storage, an essential component in reaching the European Union’s climate goals,” declared Vicentiu Ciobanu, CEO of PRIME.
The project at the Romanian Prodromu Skete marks the first phase of a larger initiative. In this phase, Simtel has integrated PRIME’s batteries into a system that includes renewable energy production from 100 kWp photovoltaic panels and batteries with a total 512.4 kWh (0.5 MWh) capacity. The system uses off-grid Victron inverters, provided by the Romanian company Darcom Energy.
Designed to allow the expansion of battery storage capacity in future stages, this micro-energy system will be extended in the second phase by installing 120 kWp of photovoltaic panels, an operation that Simtel will carry out in October of this year. The system integrates three existing diesel generators, which can operate alternately or simultaneously, providing flexibility and ensuring energy supply continuity when needed.
The renewable energy system developed and implemented by Simtel and PRIME significantly contributes to the energy independence of the monastic community at Prodromu, almost completely eliminating the need for diesel generators. Additionally, once the second phase is completed, the energy system will have a total capacity of 220 kWp in photovoltaic panels and will produce approximately 308 MWh of solar energy annually, generating savings of approximately EUR 60,000 per year and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 206 tons per year.