Tag: energy saving

Italian white certificates: the new rules

Italian white certificates guidelines

As thoroughly illustrated in my papers presented at ECEEE and IEPPEC 2018 conferences, the Italian white certificates scheme (WhC) has been facing in the last years serious issues, related to the lack of certificates to cover the scheme’s target, skyrocketing market prices, frauds with simplified (standard) energy saving assessment procedures, etc. In order to deal with such issues the Ministry of economic development issued decree D.M. 10 maggio 2018 to modify the WhC guidelines introduced in 2017. The presentation held at Ponti 2018 event in Bolzano briefly describes the main changes.

The Italian WhC scheme has been working since 2005, delivering more than 26 million tons of oil equivalent cumulated by the end of 2017. Despite its longevity and success in terms of savings results, many issues have arisen in the last years, due to a mix of factors: stricter and more complex rules, reduction of low hanging fruits, especially in the industrial sector, frauds, market rules and cost recovery mechanism. In my recent papers presented at ECEEE and IEPPEC conferences such issues are illustrated in details, together with the main rules, and the need of amendments is highlighted.

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White certificates in Italy: lessons learnt over 12 years of evaluation

additionality in the italian white certificates scheme

The peer-reviewed paper and the presentation on the lessons learnt over 12 years of evaluation on the Italian white certificate scheme  presented at the 2018 IEPPEC conference in Vienna. Both the main results and the issues arisen over the years are illustrated, together with a focus on the evaluation practices and outcomes.

Energy efficiency obligation schemes (EEOs) are used in many EU countries as a policy measure to reach energy efficiency targets. Some of the first EEO (UK, Italy, France, Denmark) have been capable to reach positive results over the years, as shown by the ENSPOL and EPATEE projects. Continue reading →

White certificates as a tool to promote energy efficiency in industry

white certificates issued per sector in italy

The peer-reviewed paper and the presentation on the Italian white certificate scheme as a tool to promote energy efficiency presented at the 2018 eceee conference in Berlin. Both the main results and the issues arisen over the years are illustrated, together with a focus on the industrial sector.

Energy efficiency obligation schemes (EEOs) are used in many EU countries as a policy measure to reach energy efficiency targets. Some of the first EEOs (UK, Italy, France, Denmark) have been capable to reach positive results over the years, as clearly demonstrated by the ENSPOL project. The Italian mechanism, in particular, is an interesting example of white certificate scheme (WhC), since it is one of the most long-lasting schemes (operatively started in 2005), has ambitious targets, covers all sectors and energy efficiency solutions, and has many flexibility options in place (e.g. non-obliged parties, tradable market, bankability, etc.).
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Why investing in energy efficiency

Energy efficiency can be an important driver for the competitiveness of industrial enterprises. My presentation, introductory to the webinar “Energy efficiency implementation in industries: the EU-MERCI approach to Good practices for multi-sector companies”, shows the reasons why energy efficiency should not be considered just as a cost reduction through energy savings, but could provide much more benefits. 

Many times energy efficiency is seen just as an opportunity of cost reduction through energy savings. Either if this is one of the main outcomes, and the most obvious, there are multiple benefits linked to an energy efficiency project, such as improvements in the productivity or the quality of manufactured products, the reduction of risks (energy supply, environmental, safety, etc.), lower maintenance costs and GHG emissions, etc. These additional benefits directly impact the core business and can positevily affect the value proposition and the value chain of a manufacturing enterprise.

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Energy efficiency policies for industry

The presentation about the policies for energy efficiency in the industrial sector at the EU-MERCI project webinar. The industrial sector accounts for one fourth  of the EU energy consumption and for 19% of the GHG emissions (without the energy sector). In order to reach the EU 2020 and 2030 targets and, even more, to adhere to the Paris 2015 climate agreement, there is the need of policies aimed at facilitating and accelerating the implementation of energy efficiency projects in the industrial sector. The presentation shows the main existing policies and offers some hints on the future measures.

The video of my speech and the other presentations are available on the EU-MERCI website.

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