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Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial challenge in urban areas characterized by high energy consumption and reduced exposure to nature. In this context, the urban green system could play a pivotal role. In the literature, scholars have analyzed both the ability of species-specific and layout-specific green infrastructure to increase carbon sequestration and the best location sites for new green infrastructure to increase the provision of overall ecosystem services. There is a lack of studies helping green urban planners and designers choose where and which green infrastructure to implement based on vegetation species-specific performance and the local carbon emissions of city components. This paper uses tree inventory data from a medium-sized city in central Italy (Perugia) to develop a spatial analysis of urban park performance in carbon sequestration. Then, the method evaluates the carbon emission of a public city building to generate a spatialized balance between building demand and tree supply to support local decisions about the best locations for new green infrastructure and the choice between species. The paper contributes to GIS-based tools that vary the recommended location sites and species for new green infrastructure based on the demanded ecosystem service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a major part of global development governance, G20 countries account for 80% of global carbon emissions. In order to achieve the goal of "carbon neutrality" proposed by the United Nations, it is important to compare and analyze the drivers of carbon emissions in G20 countries and provide recommendations for their carbon emission reduction. Based on the data of 17 G20 countries in the EORA database, this paper compares the drivers of carbon emissions of each country from 1990-2021 using weighted average structural decomposition and K-mean model. This paper focuses on four drivers, including carbon emission intensity, final demand structure, export structure, and production structure. Carbon emission intensity and final demand structure are the main factors of carbon emission reduction, and the other two factors have little influence. Among the G20 countries, the UK is in the first category because it does the best job on the four factors of carbon emissions, yet Italy is in the last category because it does not take full advantage of the four factors. Therefore, improving supply energy efficiency and adjusting demand, export, and industrial structure have become important tools for countries to transform and achieve carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the energy efficiency of smart working (SW) as a solution to traditional work-approach issues, with a focus on evaluating benefits for both employers and employees. Remote working, while offering environmental advantages such as reduced commuting and office space use, poses challenges in assessing its true impact. The study presents results from a dynamic analysis on a real residential building, typical of an architectural style diffused in northern Italy, revealing a 15% average increase in energy consumption when all work tasks are performed from home. To address concerns about the environmental impact of SW, the research proposes a method and metrics for evaluation. Four novel indices (SWEET, SEE, SSEE, and 4E) are introduced, providing a structured approach to assess the energy efficiency of SW initiatives. The paper outlines a methodology for data gathering and metric application, aiming to acquire quantitative insights and mitigate disparities arising from a transfer of burdens to employees. This contribution not only signifies a ground-breaking methodology but also addresses an unresolved research question concerning the evaluation of the actual energy efficiency of smart working implementations for both employers and employees. The results underscore the importance of understanding the nuances of SW's impact on household energy usage and its broader implications for sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, ventilation in buildings was not always given its due importance. The World Health Organization has highlighted the important role of air exchange with the outdoors in improving the air quality in buildings; buildings should, therefore, be equipped with mechanical ventilation or adequate air conditioning systems. This paper aims to investigate different retrofit solutions for air conditioning, evaluating them in terms of energy consumption and cost and the impact of increased outdoor air exchange rates on countering the propagation of COVID-19; the latter is the main novelty of the paper. As a case study, we take an existing office building located in Central Italy that was previously not equipped with a mechanical ventilation system (a system with primary air was introduced during the study). The energy analysis was conducted using dynamic simulation software after validation through energy bills; energy and economic analyses were conducted considering different external-air exchange rates. An optimal number of outdoor air changes was found to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection, a finding in line with the international literature. The increase in air changes with outdoor air leads to a rise in energy consumption and costs. These values were evaluated for different air conditioning systems and operational schedules. These drawbacks can be made less significant by combining interventions in the system with energy-efficiency measures applied to the building envelope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of renewable energy systems in buildings leads to a reduction in energy bills for end users and a reduction in the carbon footprint of such buildings, usually referred to as prosumers. In addition, the installation of charging points for the electric vehicles of people working or living in these buildings can further improve the energy efficiency of the whole system if innovative technologies, such as vehicle-to-building (V2B) technologies, are implemented. The aim of this paper is to present an Energy Management System (EMS) based on mathematical programming that has been developed to optimally manage a prosumer building equipped with photovoltaics, a micro wind turbine and several charging points for electric vehicles. Capabilities curves of renewable power plant inverters are modelled within the EMS, as well as the possibility to apply power curtailment and V2B. The use of V2B technology reduces the amount of electricity purchased from the public grid, while the use of smart inverters for the power plants allows zero reactive power to be drawn from the grid. Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is used to quantify curtailment costs, while penalties on reactive power absorption from the distribution network are evaluated in accordance with the current regulatory framework. Specifically, the model is applied to a prosumer building owned by the postal service in a large city in Italy. The paper reports the main results of the study and proposes a sensitivity analysis on the number of charging stations and vehicles, as well as on the consideration of different typical days characterized by different load and generation profiles. This paper also investigates how errors in forecasting energy production from renewable sources impact the optimal operation of the whole system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the frame of developing sustainable, reliable, and regenerative interventions on existing buildings, namely on large-scale public housing, the implementation of functional, technological, and effective strategies is devoted to thoroughly assessing the transformability of buildings using trustworthy performance indicators. With this aim, in the present paper, an assessment framework tool is presented and tested to evaluate the potential of buildings for transformation through the detection of regeneration strategies for the reduction of energy consumption, a definition of the new apartments' internal layout, and the implementation of sustainable systems to foster rainwater harvesting. The procedure is tested on a case study in Latina (Italy), showing its suitability to quantitatively assess the regenerative potentiality of public housing, thus resulting in an effective supporting tool for designers and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biomass can be a strategic way to realize a carbon-neutral energy plan, ensuring a fuel feedstock. Residual biomass arising from pruning is demonstrated to be an important energy resource in terms of quantity and quality. In the Salento peninsula, Apulia Region, in the south of Italy, a dramatic outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa has decimated olive trees since 2013, gaining a considerable amount of wood biomass. This paper, starting from the need to find a way to optimize the use of this available stock, reviews the main technologies on the utilization of olive wood for energy purposes. In particular, processes and products are here described, and an energy analysis compares lower heating value (LHV), higher heating value (HHV), mass yield, process operating conditions, and energy generated and spent by the process in order to find the most effective technology in order to optimize the energy use of olive biomass. The conclusions show the advantages and disadvantages of each technology. Pyrolysis performs well, showing the best results for both char HHV and syngas yield under different operating conditions. Gasification seems to be the most appropriate among conversion technologies to optimize olive tree pruning for energy purposes, as it can be used to produce both electrical and thermal energy. In terms of economic valorization, char is the most promising material representing a value-added product, the quality and versatility of which ranges from fuel to soil improvers and additives for the construction of supercapacitors. Conversely, its disadvantages are mainly represented by high ash content, which can slightly decrease the boiler efficiency. Finally, the amount of alkali metals can produce several problems, such as fouling, slagging, corrosion, etc., posing a challenge for combustion control and pollutant minimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glass industry is highly energy-intensive, consuming approximately 500–700 million GJ each year. Replacing inefficient equipment with better-performing equipment is a good strategy to reduce the energy consumption of a glass plant. Since there are many alternative solutions, the choice of which technological improvement to implement is usually difficult. Therefore, a review of solutions to reduce energy consumption in a glass plant is pivotal. The literature offers similar studies, but they are not sufficiently up-to-date and do not represent the actual state of the art, which should be updated. Thus, this paper aims to provide an updated list of alternative solutions, clustering them into different categories (e.g., the process stage). Moreover, this paper investigates the current applicability of energy-saving solutions in Italy. Specifically, a sample of 103 Italian companies is considered and the type of interventions that the companies recently implemented or that they intend to adopt is analyzed. Quantitative statistical and economic analyses were conducted to highlight the most popular solutions and determine their cost-effectiveness. The results show that most interventions consist of replacing machinery with more efficient ones, mainly in auxiliary systems (132 out of 426). The outcome of this paper could represent a guide to select energy-saving solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The building and construction sector has a significant impact on the CO2 emissions and pollutants released into the atmosphere, which contribute to climate change. The EPDB Directive mandates the achievement of minimum energy class E for all residential buildings by 2030 and energy class D by 2033. Particularly, in Italy, about 86% of the existing building stock predates the enactment of any energy laws or regulations, making it imperative to apply the energy efficiency interventions. This paper provides a support decision tool for the identification of the standardized interventions in the building envelope, the air conditioning system, and domestic hot water production. This study is focused on a specific construction period class (1976–1990) in six different climatic zones. The methodological approach is based on a cataloguing phase and the definition of ante operam energy classes as well as on case study identification, energy requalification intervention identification, solution simulations, and cost estimation. By simulating the standardized interventions for each climatic zone, a range of possible combinations is identified. The most advantageous ones are determined based on a cost–benefit analysis considering the potential class jump achieved. The research result is a matrix of energy efficiency interventions that is applicable to each climatic zone and can be extended to the existing housing stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from the relationship between urban planning and mobility management, TeMA has gradually expanded the view of the covered topics, always remaining in the groove of rigorous scientific in-depth analysis. This section of the Journal, Review Notes, is the expression of continuously updating emerging topics concerning relationships between urban planning, mobility and environment, through a collection of short scientific papers written by young researchers. The Review Notes are made of four parts. Each section examines a specific aspect of the broader information storage within the main interests of TeMA Journal. In particular, the Urban Practices section aims at producing, analyzing and reporting data on recent and relevant policies in the urban domain. This contribution aims at delving into the Energy Community paradigm and its application into the Italian context. The concept of energy communities has gained significant attention and recognition in both the European and Italian contexts. These communities are based on the idea of decentralizing energy production and fostering local participation in the transition to renewable energy sources. Since only recently the legislative panorama provided a set of limits and opportunities to the implementation of energy communities, this note is dedicated to some of the most interesting spontaneous experiences recently born in Italy, to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In temperate climates, such as in most parts of Italy, it is necessary to limit both winter heat losses of buildings and their overheating in other periods. Moreover, in warmer Mediterranean climates the convenience of insulation against the building's thermal inertia must also be evaluated. Therefore, when the energy renovation of an old building with heavy masonry is performed the problem is to optimize the position and the thickness of the additional insulation. In presence of extended glazed surfaces, the most appropriate solar control strategy should be defined too. Both issues are present in many old Italian public buildings. This paper deals with a computerized methodology for optimizing these choices by taking into account the interactions between thermal mass, additional insulation as well as internal and solar gains. The case study consists in a typical school building from the early 1900s. Building's thermal behavior was simulated in different Italian climates: Bologna, Roma and Palermo. The effects of various solutions on energy demand and comfort were compared. The possible effects of different types of masonry, different building's orientations and various intended uses were also explored. Simulation results show that the optimal intervention strategy, for the considered type of building, depends not only on the climate but also on the building's intended use, which determines the internal gains and the time profile of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current context of joint efforts towards the decarbonisation of buildings, integrating occupants' comfort and health with latest technological advancements for energy efficiency is at the center of the latest development of research, policies and professional practice. Radiant systems are encountering great success since the low-thickness systems can also be used in renovation projects for both heating and cooling, while guaranteeing optimal comfort. However, dehumidification is often required for optimal radiant cooling operation with no condensation risks, and the great potential of mechanical ventilation systems to optimally address the needs for dehumidification, air renewal, health and energy efficiency appears to be far from its full exploitation in the post-COVID-19 era. The present paper aims at providing a quantification of the energy and financial impacts of the implementation of a controlled mechanical ventilation system (CMV) coupled to a radiant system in a typical residential case study building in Italy. The results show that the sole CMV may decrease primary energy demand and energy costs by more than 30% and contribute to an increase in the smart readiness of the building by 8%, but further incentive policies must be developed to cover the still high investment and maintenance cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientia et Technica is the property of Scientia et Technica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As the urgency to mitigate climate change intensifies, the achievement of zero carbon targets in the built environment has become a critical objective. Building retrofitting plays a vital role in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in existing buildings. This paper presents an approach that combines Building Information Modeling (BIM) with multiple domains to strive for zero carbon targets in building retrofit projects. The proposed approach is based on a dynamic multi-parameter analysis that integrates indoor comfort, energy savings, CO2eq reduction, and the social cost of carbon while considering investment costs. Renewable energy technologies, such as photovoltaic panels and solar thermal systems, are emphasized to achieve the desired zero-carbon outcomes. Real-time monitoring mechanisms enable continuous performance evaluation and adaptive retrofit strategies for further energy savings. This approach is validated through a case study of an existing thermal bath building, known as "Terme Lucane", located in southern Italy. The results of the study demonstrate significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions, highlighting the potential of the proposed approach to achieve zero carbon targets through the integration of multi-data BIM implementation. These findings offer a promising pathway for building retrofit projects aiming for zero carbon targets through multi-data BIM modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Renovation Wave for Europe highlighted the role of the public building stock for which Directive 2012/27/EU has set an annual renewal rate of 3%, which should rise to reach the goal of decarbonization by 2050. In this paper, the energy retrofit of an educational building—at the academic level—in Southern Italy was investigated. The aim was to evaluate the incentive share, which could accelerate the energy efficiency process, to achieve a cost-effective nZEB. The results show that the highest incentive rate is required for interventions on the opaque building envelope, which are also those that allow the least energy savings. An incentive rate of about 45% for the energy efficiency of the transparent envelope is necessary to reduce the payback time by about 7 years. The efficiency of the plants and the installation of a PV system are energetically and economically convenient even without forms of economic incentive. Finally, if the building is brought to high energy standards—a primary energy saving of 46% and energy class A3—an incentive rate of 40% is required to repay the intervention in about 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper regards the design and dynamic modelling of a greenhouse coupled with renewable energy technologies to obtain a hybrid renewable energy plant as an optimal solution in the green farm framework. The considered technologies are PV panels, solar thermal collectors, and a biomass auxiliary heater. The system is also coupled with a pyrogasifier, supplied by wood and agricultural waste in the framework of a biocircular economic approach. To supply the investigated user, with a "green farm" located in Castelvolturno (Naples, South of Italy) reducing the energy consumption and operating costs, all of the main components of the plant were suitably designed. The operation of the designed components was simulated by a dynamic simulation model developed by TRNSYS software and validated by means of the literature results. A comprehensive energy, economic, and environmental analysis of the greenhouse is presented. The main results suggest that the investigated renewable plant reduces the total equivalent CO2 emissions by 148.66 t/y. Considering the current high increases in energy prices as a result of the energy crisis due to the war, the system shows very significant profitability with a simple payback of only 1.7 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing interest in natural gas-fired gensets is motivated by District Heating (DH) network applications, especially in urban areas. Even if they represent customary solutions, when used in DH, duty regimes are driven by network thermal energy demands resulting in discontinuous operation, which affects their remaining useful life. As such, the attention on effective condition-based maintenance has gained momentum. In this paper, a novel unsupervised anomaly detection framework is proposed for gensets in DH networks based on Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) data. The framework relies on multivariate Machine-Learning (ML) regression models trained with a Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation method. Model residuals generated during the testing phase are then post-processed with a sliding threshold approach based on a rolling average. This methodology is tested against nine major failures that occurred on the gas genset installed in the Aosta DH plant in Italy. The results show that the proposed framework successfully detects anomalies and anticipates SCADA alarms related to unscheduled downtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing retrofits are undertaken to reduce energy use and to improve 'occupants' indoor environmental conditions. Despite increased retrofitting of the Italian housing stock, there is a lack of data on their energy use and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). This paper fills this gap by a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) study of seven retrofitted apartments in northern Italy; a non-retrofitted case study was included as a comparison. The study aimed to understand aspects of IEQ and occupant satisfaction after energy-efficiency retrofits. A mixed-method approach encompassed occupant satisfaction surveys, energy bill comparisons, in-situ indoor air temperature, and relative humidity measurements. Results highlighted 'occupants' thermal comfort improvement and heating energy consumption reduction after retrofits. Furthermore, reported preferred indoor temperatures w within a broader range than the recommended Italian regulations and CIBSE guide A standard. However, some participants reported unintended consequences, including mould growth and noise from the mechanical ventilation system. This study shows the potential of POE to understand the actual performance of retrofitted residential buildings. However, the difficulties of conducting a POE in retrofitted existing residential buildings show the need of further research on how to effectively conduct POE in retrofitted residential buildings, including improved digital quality monitoring methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The present analysis provides evidence on the importance of the correct evaluation of the defrosting cycles in the determination of the SCOP of ASHPs. In this paper, dynamic simulations of the seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of Air-Source Heat Pumps will be presented by considering three different heat pump systems coupled with the same building located in three different Italian municipalities: S. Benedetto del Tronto (42°58′ North, 13°53′ East), Milan (45°28′ North, 9°10′ East), and Livigno (46°28′ North, 10°8′ East). Dynamic simulations were conducted by employing the software package TRNSYS and by considering real weather data (i.e., outdoor air temperature and humidity as well as solar radiation) referring to the three abovementioned cities for a period of 8 years (2013–2020) and collected from on-site weather stations. Attention has been paid to the modeling of the heat pump defrost cycles in order to evaluate their influence on the unit's seasonal performance. Results show that, when referring to different years, the thermal energy demand displays huge variations (in some cases it can even double its value), while the effective SCOP is characterized by scarce variability. Sensible variations in SCOP values are achieved for Livigno. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Water–Energy–Food (WEF) nexus describes natural resource use in the context of social needs and economic development, addressing food, water, and energy security. Population growth and rising economic prosperity will increase the demand for energy, food, and water in the Mediterranean region, compromising the sustainable use of resources. As governments are required to make decisions in order to cope with increasing demands for resources, this paper performs a review of the legislation and WEF policies, identifying the main political and institutional actors involved and the possible policy (in)coherence in four MED countries located on two continents: Egypt, Italy, Spain, and Tunisia. This choice will allow the identification of the barriers and catalysts influencing the implementation of WEF policies and will improve our understanding of the WEF trade-offs and synergies by exploring them on national, regional, and local scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an energy management system based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to be integrated with the standard ISO 50001 and aims to describe the definition and the enhancement of the energy baselines by means of artificial intelligence techniques applied and tested on the real electrical absorption data of the auxiliary units of different thermal power plants in Italy. Power plant optimized operations are important both for cost and energy performance reasons with related effects on the environment in the next future energy transition scenario. The improvement of the energy baselines consists in determining more accurate consumption monitoring models that are able to track inefficiencies and absorption drifts through data analytics and Artificial Intelligence. Starting from the analysis of the energy vectors at the production site level, we performed a multi-scale analysis to define the consumption at macro areas level and finally find the most relevant consumption units within the plants. A comparison of different ANNs applied to several real power plant data was performed to model complex plant architecture and optimize energy savings with respect to pre-set thresholds according to the ISO 50001 standard procedure. The energy baselines are determined through the analysis of the data available in the power plants' Distributed Control System (DCS), and we can identify the consumption derived from the unit's proper operation. Based on the reported numerical simulations, improved baselines have been reached up to a 5% threshold for different plant sub-units, thus representing a relevant overall saving in terms of alert threshold definition and related control efficiency: a potential saving of about 140 MWh throughout the considered three-year dataset was obtained taking into account a cooling tower sub-unit, representing a considerable economic benefit. The results obtained highlight the neural technique efficiency in defining more accurate energy baselines and represents a valuable tool for large energy plant asset management to face relevant energy drifts observed in the last years of plant operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen exploitation plays a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen, in fact, provides a number of key benefits for the energy system, due to its integrability with other clean technologies for energy production and consumption. This paper is aimed at presenting the project of recovery of an abandoned industrial area located in central Italy by developing a site for the production of green hydrogen. To this aim, the analysis of the territorial and industrial context of the area allowed us to design the project phases and to define the sizing criteria of the hydrogen production plant. The results of a preliminary cost–benefit analysis show that a huge initial investment is required and that, in the short term, the project is sustainable only with a very large public grant. On the other hand, in the long term, the project is sustainable, and the benefits significantly overcome the costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market-based instruments such as white certificates offer the potential to increase efficiency gains, reduce primary energy consumption and make energy systems more resilient. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the white certificate scheme through a case study analysis. In light of increasing decarbonization and energy efficiency targets, it is important to rethink the role that policy instruments play in the energy transition, including the energy efficiency obligation schemes within which white certificate schemes fall. We focus on Italy's white certificate scheme because it is among the longest-lived and has achieved notable results. The scheme is characterized by annually increasing energy savings targets, flexibility, the opportunity to include many interventions, and the role of energy services companies. We provide evidence based on an empirical survey and fill the research gap left by the latest updates to the scheme along with an appraisal of those updates, which covers prominent scheme innovations such as its stability mechanism. Our research can serve as a baseline for policymakers in designing white certificate schemes in countries with little related previous experience and provide useful information from countries where similar schemes have been implemented to fine-tune similar market-based mechanisms to improve energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study analyzes sustainable practices adopted by Italian firms to enhance the circularity of packaging and related results in terms of environmental improvements. Design/methodology/approach: The authors developed an empirical analysis using publicly available data from the National Consortium of Packaging (CONAI) in Italy, which consists of 603 circular packaging projects. The authors ran both descriptive and prescriptive analyses to determine individual sustainable practices and portfolios adopted to enhance packaging circularity and to verify related reductions in terms of CO2 emissions as well as energy usage and water consumption. Findings: The findings reveal that firms are more accustomed to focusing on single sustainable practices than on portfolios of practices to achieve packaging circularity. Raw material saving and logistics optimization are the most frequent sustainable practices adopted by firms to improve circularity of packaging. The reuse of packaging allows firms to simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions, energy usage and water consumption. Preferences in terms of portfolio of sustainable practices are strictly linked to the types of materials used for packaging and environmental targets. Originality/value: The authors investigate environmental practices that firms adopt to support packaging circularity, and the authors detect portfolios of sustainable practices that positively impact environmental performance indicators. This research extends a significant glimpse into the portfolio of sustainable practices for packaging in the circular economy implemented by firms, filling academic gaps and indicating business opportunities and avenues for economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision agriculture is increasingly relying on tractor auto-steer systems to boost productivity and optimize crop inputs. Identifying field variations and performance, on the other hand, is necessary for giving site-specific recommendations. This study reports the field operating performance indicators of manual (MG), semi-automatic (SG), and automatic (AG) tractor guidance for weed control in wheat production in Southern Italy. Performance indicators include effective worked area, overall working time, effective field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, and product usage. The SG tractor guidance working times were similar to the MG, but with significant savings in the herbicide spray solution and work quality. In terms of all parameters examined, the AG outperformed the SG and MG. The AG was 54% faster than the MG, resulting in an increased area worked and effective field capacity of 5 and 46%, respectively. The total time (effective time plus non-productive time) was reduced by 28%, while overlapped areas by 88.9%. Herbicide and fuel input was reduced by 30 and 11.5%, respectively. A streamlined environmental analysis indicated that AG could reduce the energy and carbon intensity of the one-time weed control process by 25 and 27% for each hectare. Our results confirm that auto guidance provides numerous benefits (e.g., machining uniformity, increased work quality, reduced resource use, and reduced environmental burdens), supporting the larger goal of agricultural production sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean rural settlements suffer from numerous environmental challenges, specifically the annual decrease of the farmlands, climate change threats, and growing resource consumption and demand, such as energy, the core of development. Rural areas play a significant role in achieving food security and sustainable development. Therefore, this paper promotes the energy community and agrivoltaic key concepts as pillars to show how buildings and farms' land uses positively impact the ecosystem. The study focused on Egypt and Italy as representatives of the entire region. Two rural settlements with the same characteristics representing typical agriculture-based patterns have been selected: Lasaifar Albalad, representing 339 villages in the Delta Region, northern Egypt, and Pontinia, representing rural typologies of the 1930s in the Lazio Region, central Italy. Then, two focus groups with versatile stakeholders were conducted. The results showed the juxtaposition of the key concepts and national rural and agricultural policies and fostered a novel approach between Egypt and Italy. The study presented the first analysis of both contexts. The focus groups promoted the ideas, led to a better understanding of the implementation possibilities, raised awareness, improved social acceptance, and highlighted the significant barriers. It paved the way for a further study (micro-scale on-ground practices) to be planned and implemented soon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foremost theme of the paper is to explore the asymmetric/symmetric impact of energy consumption on the carbon dioxide emission of G7 countries (Germany, Canada, USA, Italy, France, Italy, UK, and Japan). The nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag is used to measure asymmetric/symmetric cointegration by using annual data of G7 countries from 1965 to 2019. The augmented Dickey-Fuller and structural break unit root test is employed to measure the stationarity in variables while the Brock, Dechert, and Scheinkman test is used for measuring nonlinearity and the Wald test is used to figure out short- and long-run asymmetries/symmetries, respectively. The estimated findings of the nonlinear autoregressive distribution lag model show a significant effect of energy use on the ecological footprint. The asymmetric causality test provides evidence of unidirectional, bidirectional, and asymmetrical/symmetrical causality among the variables of G7 nations. The finding of the study suggested policy for the government of Canada and France to use coal instead of oil and gas while the USA, Germany, Italy, UK, and Japan are required to consume gas as compared to oil and coal. Similarly, the study also suggests using modern technology, renewable energy, and preventive measurement for ensuring environmental betterment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic complexity metrics referred to as M1 and M2 play an important role when it comes to the analysis of habitat metrics. In the present paper, the significance of these parameters is analysed by using laboratory data as well as field observations along the Tiber River in Italy. Based on the laboratory data, the estimated parameters allow us to characterise the high/low-velocity areas. Based on field observations, larger magnitudes of M1 are linked to the zones with large changes in cross-sectional flow velocity. Larger magnitudes of M2 are observed at the left bank of the channel for all flow conditions, suggesting locations with larger kinetic energy consumption for aquatic organisms. Overall, the findings of the present research would be of particular interest in quantifying biologically important flow patterns occurring at different spatial scales within different streams and flow conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, related to energy and resource use, is a critical issue for small and insulated communities. In many minor islands, solar energy is not correctly exploited, and electrical heaters are connected to weak grids with very a high share of generation by fossil fuels. As a consequence, there is the necessity to assess the potential and the suitability of diffusion of alternative systems to avoid dependency on the electrical grid and reduce carbon emissions. This paper aims to evaluate the technical and economic performances of some alternative systems exploiting renewable energy for domestic hot water production. Four different systems were simulated and studied: a heat pump connected to the grid, a heat pump coupled with a photovoltaic plant, a heat pump combined with a solar thermal collector, and a solar thermal plant. Moreover, heat and electricity storages were studied for reducing impacts on the distribution network. The work presents data gathered for a study on energy-retrofit strategies on Lampedusa Island (Italy, 35°30′56″ north (N), 568 degree-days). Finally, to select the most cost-effective plant, an economic analysis of the chosen systems was carried out. This analysis shows that the best net present values are associated with the heat pump (HP) coupled with a stand-alone PV system and a small battery and solar thermal-assisted HP. The shortest payback time was calculated for the solar thermal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper the energy impact of buildings' insulation materials in Italy is analyzed, taking into account both the savings in the annual climatisation and the energy consumed to produce them (Life Cycle Assessment, LCA); furthermore the economic matter is evaluated in an investment analysis (Life Cycle Cost, LCC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The transition towards energy efficiency measures and green energy sources is strongly fostered by the European Union. Italy is among the EU countries that have heavily invested in renewable energy sources, more than doubling their share in gross final energy consumption. In particular, biogas has a pivotal role in the generation of electricity and can also be upgraded into biomethane, with a higher and more stable energy content. In this study, the sustainability of the supply chain of electricity from biogas in Italy has been thoroughly analyzed in the broader framework of the ARCADIA (Life Cycle Approach in Public Procurement and Italian LCA Database for Resource Efficiency) project. The environmental assessment, carried out by means of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), provides a two-fold perspective. Firstly, it allows us to identify the main hotspots of the investigated system, such as the cultivation of dedicated crops, and to provide useful insights for improving environmental performance. Furthermore, a focus on the modeling of the dataset related to the production of electricity from biogas within the Italian electricity mix represents a step ahead in the LCA research, filling the lack of site-specific databases for reliable LCA results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Industry is one of the highest energy consumption sector: some facilities like steelworks, foundries, or paper mills are highly energy-intensive activities. Many countries have already implemented subsidies on energy efficiency in generation and utilisation, with the aim of decreasing overall consumption and energy intensity of gross domestic product. Meanwhile, researchers have increased interest into alternative energy systems to decrease pollution and use of fossil fuels. Hydrogen, in particular, is proposed as a clean alternative energy vector, as it can be used as energy storage mean or to replace fossil fuels, e.g. for transport. This work analyses the re-vamping of the energy generation system of a paper mill by means of reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs). The aim is not only to increase efficiency on energy generation, but also to create a polygeneration system where hydrogen is produced. Application on a real industrial facility, based in Italy with a production capacity of 60000 t/y of paper, is analysed. First, the current energy system is studied. Then, a novel system based on RSOC is proposed. Each component of the systems (both existing and novel) is defined using operational data, technical datasheet, or models defined with thermodynamic tools. Then, the interaction between them is studied. Primary energy analysis on the novel system is performed, and saving with respect to the current configuration is evaluated. Even if the complexity of the system increases, results show that saving occurs between 2 and 6%. Hydrogen generation is assessed, comparing the RSOC integrated system with proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, in terms of both primary energy and economics. Results exhibit significant primary energy and good economic performance on hydrogen production with the novel system proposed (hydrogen cost decreases from 10 €/kg to at least 8 €/kg). Highlights • The re-vamping of the energy generation system of a paper mill is analysed. • Reversible solid oxide cells are used increasing efficiency on energy generation. • A polygeneration system where hydrogen is produced is also created. • Primary energy saving on energy facility generation occurs between 2 and 6%. • Significant primary energy and good economic performance on hydrogen production are performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Energy efficiency, which is one of the pillars of the EU's Energy Union strategy, has been proposed as a solution, namely as a highly effective pathway to improve economic competitiveness and sustainability of the European economy, lower emissions, reduce energy dependency and increase security of supply, and job creation. The paper reviews the EU strategies and policies on energy efficiency and argues that further focus should be placed on industrial energy efficiency. Despite a decline in energy consumption in recent years in industry, this sector is one of the largest users of energy in the EU. Therefore, the paper reviews the extent to which the European and national policies in the selected jurisdictions, such as Italy and the UK address energy efficiency in industry and whether there are any measures in place to promote it. Highlights • Legal certainty is required in industrial energy efficiency policies. • White Certificates play a major role in industrial energy efficiency in Italy. • Yet, constant changes in the WC regulations can act as an investment barrier. • The UK's Energy Efficiency policy is underpinned with decarbonisation of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to critically examine the issue of rendering historic buildings energy efficient. Although this subject has been discussed to some extent on the national and international levels, it largely has been under-theorised as the existing literature focuses mainly on technical matters related to the improvement of energy performance. Indeed, one of the main issues which has not been thoroughly addressed in the literature is balancing conservation needs on the one hand and improved energy performance of historic buildings on the other, partly due to improper analytical tools, methods, and parameters that are commonly used to classify the energy behaviour of historic buildings. It is the matter of insufficient existing tools which triggered the development of this paper. This paper is based on experimental measurements in order to determine the most relevant parameters and the average thermo-physical data of the historic building envelope. The experiments were followed by evaluation of the energy performance of three listed buildings in Italy using static (used for energy certification in Italy), semi- dynamic, and dynamic computer simulations, in order to understand which energy audit schemes best simulate the actual energy performance of historic buildings while identifying the strengths and limitations of each type of software. The simulations were carried out using experimental data on the thermo-physical parameters of the building envelope components, energy bills, temperature, and relative humidity of air. The ultimate goal was to define the appropriate intervention for 'particular' types of historic buildings, in order to optimise the energy-efficiency requirements along with preservation of their inherent cultural values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper contributes to the literature on community renewable energy by considering two projects developed in the north-west of Italy, in the Piedmont region. Community renewable energy is increasingly regarded by academic literature and policy discourse as crucial to ensure a socially and environmentally just energy transition. In spite of the growing diffusion of community renewable energy projects, there is still a lack of theoretically informed analyses. Our article tries to address this gap by combining two theoretical perspectives: the multilevel perspective and the socio-technical imaginaries approach. Applying the first perspective helps reconstruct the context and circumstances that have permitted the Piedmont's energy community projects to emerge. Particular attention is given to the windows of opportunity created by the Regional Law 12/2018, which acknowledged the establishment of energy communities for the first time in Italy. The socio-technical imaginaries perspective allows the identification of collective ideas and meanings that emerge when individuals or groups promote a socio-technical innovation. Based on this analysis, three main future changes are associated with community renewable energy: an integral ecology approach, a stronger sense of community, and a local development opportunity for rural areas characterised by depopulation, a low employment rate, and high energy demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the climate policy discussion by focusing on the challenges and opportunities of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 in Italy. To support Italian energy planning, we developed energy roadmaps towards national climate neutrality, consistent with the Paris Agreement objectives and the IPCC goal of limiting the increase in global surface temperature to 1.5 °C. Starting from the Italian framework, these scenarios identify the correlations among the main pillars for the change of the energy paradigm towards net emissions by 2050. The energy scenarios were developed using TIMES-RSE, a partial equilibrium and technology-rich optimization model of the entire Italian energy system. Subsequently, an in-depth analysis was developed with the sMTISIM, a long-term simulator of power system and electricity markets. The results show that, to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the Italian energy system will have to experience profound transformations on multiple and strongly related dimensions. A predominantly renewable-based energy mix (at least 80–90% by 2050) is essential to decarbonize most of the final energy consumption. However, the strong increase of non-programmable renewable sources requires particular attention to new flexibility resources needed for the power system, such as Power-to-X. The green fuels produced from renewables via Power-to-X will be a vital energy source for those sectors where electrification faces technical and economic barriers. The paper's findings also confirm that the European "energy efficiency first" principle represents the very first step on the road to climate neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluates the effect of financial development (FD), economic growth (GDP), trade globalization (TGLO), renewable energy consumption (REC), and human capital (HC) on ecological footprint (ECF) in Italy using data between 1985 and 2018. We further assess the combined impact of trade globalisation and human capital on ecological footprint as well as the combined effect of trade globalisation and human capital on ecological footprint. In order to explore these associations, the present research utilizes autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) to catch both long and short-run associations between ecological footprint and its drivers. Furthermore, we use dynamic OLS (DOLS) and fully modified OLS (FMOLS) long-run estimators as robustness checks. Lastly, causality at different frequencies is captured using the frequency domain causality test. The outcomes of the ARDL estimator disclose that (a) a surge in ecological footprint is attributed to an increase in economic growth; (b) a decrease in ecological footprint is attributed to an increase in renewable energy, trade globalisation, and human capital; (c) the combined impact of human capital and trade globalisation lessen ecological footprint, and (d) combined effect of trade globalisation and human capital mitigate ecological footprint in Italy. Furthermore, the outcomes of the causality test revealed that all the exogenous variables can significantly predict ecological footprint in the long run with the exemption of financial development. Based on the study's findings, an SDG-focused policy framework is advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers an application of the first-order Grey Markov Model to foresee the values of Italian power generation in relation to the available energy sources. The model is used to fit data from the Italian energy system from 2000 to 2022. The integration of Markovian error introduces a random element to the model, which is able now to capture inherent uncertainties and misalignments between the Grey Model predictions and the real data. This application provides valuable insights for strategic planning in the energy sector and future developments. The results show good accuracy of the predictions, which could provide powerful information for the effective implementation of energy policies concerning the evolution of energy demand in the country. Results show an improvement in the performance of more than 50% in terms of Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) when the Markov chain is integrated in the analysis. Despite advancements, Italy's 2032 energy mix will still significantly rely on fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts beyond 2032 to enhance sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutral-temperature district heating and cooling (NT-DHC) is a recent concept in the district heating sector. The current literature does not directly address the ability to create comprehensive master plans for NT-DHC systems and reliably model their performance. This research presents a new approach for the evaluation and planning of NT-DHC systems. The methodology involves the use of a knapsack optimization algorithm to perform a comprehensive analysis of the conditions that make the NT-DHC solution competitive against individual heating and cooling technologies. The algorithm determines the optimal combination of potential extensions that maximizes overall economic value. The results of a case study, which was conducted in Italy, show that NT-DHC is more suitable in dense urban areas, while air-to-water heat pumps are better suited for low heat density zones. This methodology aims to reduce the risks associated with energy demand and provide more certainty about which areas a network can expand into to be competitive. It is targeted at energy planners, utilities experts, energy engineers, and district heating experts who require assistance and guidance in the planning and early stages of designing a NT-DHC system. This method might enable pre-feasibility studies and preliminary design to determine the opportunities and limitations of a system of this kind from an economic and technological perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment plants are highly energy-intensive systems. This research uses Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to determine the impacts generated during the operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Three different scenarios are analyzed: a baseline scenario that considers a conventional activated sludge treatment technology exploiting data from an existing plant located in central Italy, a second scenario that involves the implementation of MBR technology applied to the baseline scenario, and finally a third scenario that consists of the addition of an anaerobic digester that allows energy recovery from biogas production, followed by a photovoltaic plant capable of supplying the plant energy demand. Global warming potential, eutrophication, and acidification are the environmental categories considered most relevant to emissions. The results showed that the effluent had the highest impact in terms of CO2 equivalent in all three situations due to the presence of N2O. Since emissions from biological processes, transportation, and wastewater are almost similar in all three scenarios, it is preferable to focus on the environmental impacts associated with energy consumption. The third scenario involves careful resource management and the use of treatment technologies that allow for a reduction in the use of nonrenewable energy sources in favor of renewable ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffusion of electric vehicles is fundamental for transport sector decarbonization. However, a major concern about electric vehicles is their compatibility with power grids. Adopting a whole-power-system approach, this work presents a comprehensive analysis of the impacts and benefits of electric vehicles' diffusion on a national power system, i.e., Italy. Demand and flexibility profiles are estimated with a detailed review of the literature on the topic, allowing us to put forward reliable charging profiles and the resulting flexibility, compatible with the Italian regulatory framework. Distribution network planning and power system dispatching are handled with dedicated models, while the uncertainty associated with EV charging behavior is managed with a Monte Carlo approach. The novelty of this study is considering a nationwide context, considering both transmission and distribution systems, and proposing a set of policies suitable for enabling flexibility provision. The results show that the power and energy demand created by the spread of EVs will have localized impacts on power and voltage limits of the distribution network, while the consequences for transmission grids and dispatching will be negligible. In 2030 scenarios, smart charging reduces grid elements' violations (−23%, −100%), dispatching costs (−43%), and RES curtailment (−50%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food production and consumption cause significant environmental burdens during the product life cycles. As a result of intensive development and the changing social attitudes and behaviors in the last century, the agrofood sector is the highest resource consumer after housing in the EU. This paper is part of an effort to estimate environmental impacts associated with life cycles of the agrofood chain, such as primary energy consumption, water exploitation, and global warming. Life cycle assessment is used to investigate the production of the following citrus-based products in Italy: essential oil, natural juice, and concentrated juice from oranges and lemons. The related process flowcharts, the relevant mass and energy flows, and the key environmental issues are identified for each product. This paper represents one of the first studies on the environmental impacts from cradle to gate for citrus products in order to suggest feasible strategies and actions to improve their environmental performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last ten years have witnessed an increase in publications focusing on bioeconomy as a proposal to confront the global challenges of climate change, depletion of non-renewable resources and ecosystem degradation. This paper investigates the scientific literature on issues related agricultural bioeconomy by applying a bibliometric network analysis. Bibliometric analysis is applied to the publications of the Scopus database during the period 2010–2020 in order to provide an overview of the main aspects that characterize agricultural bioeconomy. The results showed that out of a total of 1100 scientific papers, only 2.45% were published in 2010, while the corresponding share in 2020 was 20.81%. In the five years of 2016–2020, cumulatively, 70.63% of the publications were made, showing the dynamic evolution of bioeconomy. In addition, out of 85 countries in total, Germany and Italy are the two countries with most publications, while the fragmentation of research is evident with the creation of two main nodes, the European and the American. Moreover, keyword analysis showed that biomass and sustainability are two main recurring concepts, confirming that, currently, bioeconomy operates at three different levels: energy demand, land demand, and governance. It is apparent that to boost the development of agricultural bioeconomy, the following aspects should be assessed: the effective use of resources, an understanding of the key drivers of agricultural bioeconomy, and a clear perception of their associations. There is still no consensus as to which are the key factors that will accelerate its sustainable development. Our pursuit is to use the tools of bibliometric analysis to reach more critical conclusions regarding the agricultural bioeconomy, rather than approach it in a static way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union has been allocating funds for the energy transition to meet escalating global energy demands while minimising the environmental impact. This paper focuses on the impact of post-pandemic policies on photovoltaic technology in Italy and Portugal, specifically analysing self-consumption schemes and energy communities. A techno-economic assessment identified optimal PV systems for four families in each country, considering financial incentives. Italy offers Superbonus 110 and Ecobonus schemes, while Portugal provides access to the Environmental Fund. Profitable PV systems with storage are feasible in Italy but not in Portugal. Superbonus 110 favours smaller systems, Ecobonus supports larger ones, and Portuguese policies prioritise smaller systems. Simulations of energy communities for the same families showed that in Italy, the best configurations consist of families acting as producers with larger PV capacities and smaller batteries. In contrast, in Portugal, the policies favour smaller PV systems without batteries, resulting in optimal configurations where families are solely consumers. This research underscores diverse national approaches to post-pandemic energy policies and their nuanced impacts on PV technology in Italy and Portugal. It can be concluded that energy communities offer greater profitability than individual self-consumption schemes. This is because individual households continue to prioritise self-consumption and personal savings while selling their excess energy at a more favourable price than what they would receive from the grid. • In Italy, there are financial incentives and in Portugal, electricity cost reductions. • The models used the Net Present Value and the Internal Rate of Return as indicators. • In Italy, Superbonus 100 favours smaller systems, while Ecobonus supports larger ones. • Smaller systems without batteries for self-consumption are more profitable in Portugal. • Energy communities are more economically viable in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the energy transition, focusing on the decisions to be taken about the change in the energy conversion capacity of specified portion of the universe, such as industrial or domestic districts, regions, countries, etc. Conversion capacity is intended here as the set of all energy conversion and storage units characterized by type, size and number, and interacting with the natural gas and electricity grids. The goal is to find guidelines for new installations, obtained by simulations of a model able to describe properly the behavior of each energy conversion technology and the interaction with grids. The model is based on a traditional MILNP approach, but contains unique features in the literature, which allow to obtain results of general validity for applications to very different geographical areas, or to countries including very different regions that transmit energy with each other or export/import it from abroad. The main novelty of this work is to identify the best planning for the decarbonisation of energy demand sectors, according to the criterion of minimum cost, both at global and at regional level. The results applied to the case of Italy allow identifying clearly the energy demand sectors to which new installations should be applied first to minimize the cost for the total energy system, and the units that must be foreseen to satisfy these energy demands, i.e. a precise strategy for the energy transition towards a 100% renewable system. • A multi-regional model is built to find the most convenient energy transition path. • General guidelines for Western countries are derived from the Italian case study. • Replacement of boilers with heat pumps allows increasing RES share from 20 to 30%. • For RES share >60%, PtG is the low-carbon strategy for high temperature heat demand. • Transportation is the last energy sector that should be decarbonized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the influence of temperature and of rainfall intensity and the effect of such variations on the treatment efficiencies and on the electrical consumptions in seven medium-large size Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Apulia in South Italy (Bari, Barletta, Brindisi, Lecce, Foggia, Andria and Taranto). It has been observed, in the considered WWTPs, a slight but clear increase of the incoming flow due to the increase in rainfall intensity, which results to an increase of the energy consumption per incoming volume. The impact of the climate change to the incoming flow, during the last five years (2016–2020), has been assessed indicating that an increase in rainfall intensity results to an increase of the WWTPs energy consumptions per wastewater treated volume. More specifically, for a specific WWTP (Lecce) it was found that the electrical consumption increases from 0.36 kw/m3 to 0.51 kw/m3 when the rainfall intensity was increased from 0.8 mm/min to 2.9 mm/min. Some adaption measures have been considered to upgrade the existing WWTP so to mitigate the energy increase and to limit the global effects of climate change. [Display omitted] • As Rain intensity rises, wastewater influx into WWTPs increases. • Rainfall intensity influences negatively electrical consumptions. • BOD removal is lower with increasing annual precipitations. • Temperature influences BOD, COD and SST removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]