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Sustainability is a current challenge and all sectors, including the buildings one, are being called upon to provide a solution to mitigate climate change. The state of the art of energy management using ICT technology in building systems industry is characterized by a traditional monitoring approach which could assess the energy consumption of the building but that cannot manage and act the required action to improve the energy management according to a demand side approach. The aim of this paper is to overcome this traditional monitoring approach, presenting Simon, a new model proposed by Evogy, enabling a result-oriented Product Service System (PSS) for buildings through Cyber-Physical Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things adoption. The main findings highlight the benefits associated with the Simon model by virtue of digital-based predictive maintenance on the real system. In addition, its adoption allows the PSS provider to aggregate energy demand from the plethora of buildings and, according to digital technologies, not only monitor consumption but also implement equipment. Finally, the application case highlights the benefits are different and thus stands as a best practice for combining sustainability and digitization.

La rodonite e la "clinothulite" della Val Malenco fanno parte del patrimonio mineralogico della Lombardia e sono state apprezzate come materiale gemmologico per il loro gradevole colore e la loro lavorabilità a partire dagli ultimi anni del secolo scorso. Questi ultimi due minerali, di colore rosa, rivestono un discreto valore commerciale essendo molto apprezzati dal mercato gemmologico per la gradevolezza del colore e la finezza della grana che, unita alla compattezza, permette la realizzazione di pregevoli manufatti di gioielleria e di oggettistica.

Biomethane is an interesting source for sustainable energy systems, featuring great flexibility that translates into multiple possible applications (vehicle fuel, combined production of thermal and electrical energy, injection in the gas grid). Compared to biogas, biomethane permits greater efficiency. Its use is not limited to the immediate area of the plant and purification of the raw methane means greater lifespans for the equipment. This paper analyses its use in the transport sector in light of recent statutory changes that introduce incentives. Net Present Value (NPV) and Discounted Payback Time (DPBT) are applied for the evaluation of profitability of biomethane plants, and are calculated in function of the feedstocks used, the plant dimensions and the firm configuration (producer and distributor combined; separate firms). Environmental considerations and a high number of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) define its strategic role in the Italian transport sector.

During the past few years, small demantoid crystals, indicated as coming from the Muslim Bagh area of Balochistan, have been available occasionally in the gem market in Peshawar, Pakistan. The gemmological properties and chemical data for this material are reported here. These bright green to yellowish green garnets are almost pure andradite (typically >=98 mol.%, with RI >1.79 and SG = 3.80-3.90). They contain inclusions of serpentine-group minerals, including the well-known fibrous 'horsetails', which are characteristic of a serpentinitic geological origin. Black crystals of Cr-rich magnetite are also common inclusions in demantoid from this relatively new locality. Iron and traces of chromium cause the green colour of these garnets.

Val Malenco, Central Alps (Sondrio, Italy) is a valley well-known for its variety of minerals, which has attracted the interest of mineralogists and collectors since the end of 19th Century. Some of the stones recovered in Val Malenco have also a significant interest as gemological materials, such as the case of demantoid garnet, nephrite jade, serpentine minerals and rhodonite (Bocchio et al., 2010; Adamo & Bocchio, 2013; Diella et al., 2014; Adamo et al., 2016). Another stone found in Val Malenco, is "clinothulite", a pink colored material, similar to rhodonite as aspect, but fully different from the mineralogical and gemological point of view. This stone was described for the first time in 1934 by Pietro Sigismund, a mineral collector, who labeled it as thulite, i.e. the manganese-bearing variety of zoisite (Dana, 1920), used as gemstone and carving material in the manufacture of jewellery and ornamental objects. More recently, Bianchi et al. (1987) recognized in this stone a monoclinic symmetry and named it "clinothulite" which stands for "monoclinic thulite". The main outcrop of "clinothulite", 70-80 m in length and almost 1 m in thickness, occurs near the locality of Pizzo Tremogge at an altitude of 2920 m and it is enclosed in gneissic rocks and associated to calcium silicate marbles of Paleozoic age. "Clinothulite" is very fine-grained and displays an agreeable pink color, sometimes with white or light green veins, due to the occurrence of a few of accessory minerals such as green epidote, pyroxene, amphibole, calcite, mica and pyrite. This study aims to provide a review and an update of "clinothulite" from Pizzo Tremogge investigating a suite of gem-quality samples (3 faceted gems and 2 rough pieces) by means of traditional gemological tests, XRPD data, combined with quantitative full-phase analysis using the Rietveld method, and EMPA-WDS measurements. All the examined samples (7.58-10.77 ct) are opaque, inert to UV radiation and have a refractive index approximately of 1.69. The density ranges from 3.10 to 3.22 g/cm3, with variations related to the occurrences of the accessory minerals. The cell parameters (a = 8.876, b = 5.595, c = 10.149 Å, ? = 115.46°, V = 455.04 Å3) suggest a monoclinic symmetry and agree with those reported in literature for clinozoisite. The chemical composition compares well with that of thulite samples from literature, both of orthorhombic and monoclinic symmetry, and is very close to the idealized formula of clinozoisite, Ca2Al3[O(OH)(SiO4)(Si2O7)], with an almost stoichiometric content of Ca and Si (Ca ~ 2.000, Si ~ 3.000 apfu). On the contrary, Al is lower than 3.000 apfu and shows a well definite negative correlation with Fe (0.116 to 0.559 apfu) indicating the substitution between these elements. The samples contain also a minor amount of Ti, Cr, Mg and Mn. In particular, the Mn content is low (0.001 to 0.008 apfu.) but it causes the soft pink coloration that makes "clinothulite" an attractive gem material.

A distinguish feature of Val Malenco, Central Alps, Italy, is the remarkable number of recovered minerals (more than 250 species), which have attracted the interest of mineralogists since the end of 18th century, making the valley renowned at international level. Among the various minerals, some have a significant gemological interest and are used in jewelry as gems or ornamental carvings. The most notable and one of the best Italian gem material is the green andradite garnet (Ca3Fe2Si3O12), known with the varietal name "demantoid" (Adamo et al., 2009). Attractive gemstones have been produced from crystal recovered in asbestos mines hosted by serpentinites and located in a small area, where the most famous localities are: Cengiàsc (including the Sferlùn quarry), Dossi di Franscia, Coston d'Acquanegra, Valbrutta, and Al Ross (Bedogné et al., 1993). These asbestos deposits, now closed for safety reasons, are sited at ~1800-2200 m above sea level. The gemological properties, including the characteristic "horse-tail" inclusions (fibrous chrysotile), and the chemical composition (Adr >=98 mol%) are typical of serpentinites-related demantoid. Trace of chromium, together with major iron, are responsible for the green color of this gem. Another interesting gem material is the nephrite jade, discovered at Alpe Mastabia and hosted in a talc-tremolitic orebody, associated with dolomitic marbles (Adamo & Bocchio, 2013). The jade, occurring as intergrowth of fine fibers, is mainly composed of pure tremolite, Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2, and contains a low concentration of iron, which causes its typical pale green color. The occurrence of other constituents, including calcite, molybdenite and galena, influences the color of the jade. Gem-quality rhodonite (Mn5Si5O15) from Val Malenco occurs in the Mn-mineralization at Monte del Forno. Rhodonite has typically a massive aspect, with an attractive pink color (due to Mn). It is always associated with tephroite, spessartine, pyroxmangite, biotite, magnetite, calcite, quartz, and Mn-oxides and hydroxides. "Noble" serpentine, green and yellowish green in color, composed mainly of lizardite and antigorite (with various amount of calcite, dolomite, brucite, and chlorite) was found at Pizzo Tremogge included in forsterite-bearing marbles. In the same area, precious Mn-rich clinozoisite (clinothulite variety) has also mined for its fine pink color. Other interesting gem materials from Val Malenco include diopside (green or, more rarely, blue) and Cr-bearing green grossular.

Serpentine-group minerals (chrysotile, lizardite and antigorite) are common rock-forming hydrous magnesium phyllosilicates, with ideal chemical formula Mg3Si2O5(OH)4. They form under a wide range of temperatures, including Earth surface conditions and hot hydrothermal temperatures (Evans et al., 2013). When characterized by a compact microstructure and fine and uniform colors (generally green), they are used in gemology for ornamental carvings and gems, often referred as "noble" or "precious" serpentine (O'Donoghue, 2006). In Italy, gem-quality serpentine occurs in various deposits in the Alps and the Apennines. This study aims to provide a gemological and mineralogical characterization of serpentine from Pizzo Tremogge, Val Malenco, Central Alps, which is one of the most known Italian source for "noble" serpentine (Bedogné et al., 1993). At Pizzo Tremogge serpentine minerals are included in forsterite-bearing marbles Paleozoic in age. The suite of rough and cut gem-quality samples from this locality, kindly provided by Mr. P. Nana (Sondrio, Italy), were investigated by means of gemological analyses, X-Ray Powder Diffraction, EMP chemical analyses, and Raman spectroscopy. The gemological properties of serpentine from Val Malenco are in the range of typical gem-quality serpentine. In particular, the specimens have all a massive and opaque aspect, with a color ranging from green to yellowish green, sometimes with white veins and black spots. The refractive index, measured by the distant vision method, is about 1.55, whereas the specific gravity ranges from 2.49-2.67, with variations related to the occurrence of other phases. The samples are inert to UV (254 and 366 nm) radiations and have a Mohs hardness of ~4. Four different samples have been analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, which are considered the more efficient methods for identifying different species of serpentine. The identified phases are: lizardite, antigorite, calcite, dolomite, brucite and chlorite. In addition EMP analyses allowed us to evidence chemical differences between lizardite and antigorite that mainly arise from the extent of cationic substitution: lizardite is always Al and Fe -enriched (0.10-0.18 and 0.11-0.16 a.p.f.u., calculated on the basis of seven anhydrous oxygens respectively) in respect to antigorite (0.02-0.08 and 0.04- 0.08 a.p.f.u, respectively). Minor amounts of Ti (0.001-0.008 a.p.f.u.) and trace amounts of Ca, Cr, Ni, and Zn have been also detected. The compact and fine-grained microstructure and the typical green color confer to the serpentine from Pizzo Tremogge an agreeable aspect and make it noteworthy as gemological material.

Andradite garnet (Ca3Fe2Si3O12) is a rock-forming mineral, typically found in metamorphic rocks, such as serpentinites and skarns. Green andradite, often described with the varietal name "demantoid", represents one of the most appreciate and precious gemstones among the garnet group minerals, due to its color, brilliance, and rarity. The traditional green andradite sources are Russia and Italy (Val Malenco, Central Alps), whereas recently new commercially important deposits were found in Madagascar, Iran, Pakistan (Kaghan Valley), and Namibia (Adamo et al., 2011). Recently, gem-quality green andradite crystals indicated to come from Muslim Bagh, Balochistan (Pakistan) are occasionally available in the Peshawar gem market. The transparent and fine gem-quality dodecahedral crystals show an attractive fancy green color, although they are very small, rarely exceeding 1 ct in weight. The Muslim Bagh area shows a nearly complete ophiolite sequence, mainly composed by peridotites (harzbugite and dunite), partially to completely serpentinized. Many outcrops of dunites contain podiform chromite deposits (Kakar et al., 2013). A suite of gem-quality samples from this locality, provided by the collector S. Hanken (Germany), has been investigated by means of standard gemological methods, SEM-EDS, and EMP chemical analyses. All the samples (0.18-0.98 ct) are transparent, with a fancy medium green color. They are all single refractive with moderate to strong anomalous birefringence and refractive indices >1.79. The measured density ranges from 3.80 to 3.90 g/cm3 and the gems are inert under ultraviolet radiation. These gemological properties are characteristic of andradite, demantoid variety. The samples contain "horse-tail" inclusions and opaque whitish crystals, chemically identified as chrysotile and antigorite, respectively. Opaque blackish crystalline inclusions of chromium-bearing magnetite are also present. The specimens show various growth structures and, in a few cases, dodecahedral twinning. The chemical composition of garnet results in almost pure andradite (Adr>=96 mol%, generally ~98-99 mol%), with minor amounts of Mg, Al, Cr, Ti, V, and Mn. In particular, chromium ranges from below detection limit to maximum 0.92 wt% as Cr2O3, this latter measured near the Cr-rich magnetite inclusions. Chromium causes, along with the major constituent Fe3+, the bright green color of this andradite, such as typical for demantoid associated with serpentinites (Bocchio et al., 2010).

Several gem corals, belonging to the classes Hydrozoa and Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria, have been analyzed. These have been previously classified from a zoological point of view. In this paper surface structures, physical data, FTIR- and Raman-spectra of corals with gem potential have been investigated. Spectrophotometric characterisation proved to be a useful tool for determining the main features of the mineral phases (calcite or aragonite) and of the organic content in each sample. Chromophore complexes belonging to the caroteno-proteins of the carotenoid family also could be detected.

Rhodonite (ideally Mn5Si5O15) is a member of the "pyroxenoid" group, and represents an interesting and attractive stone as jewelry and carving material due to its pink color and hardness. Major gem-quality rhodonite sources include Sweden (Pajsberge), Russia (Urals region), Australia (Broken Hill), U.S.A. (Franklin, New Jersey), Perù (Huanuco), Brazil (Minas Gerais). In Italy, rhodonite occurs at Saint Marcel (Val D'Aosta), Monte Civillina (Vicenza), Gambatesa (Genova), and in Val Malenco (Sondrio) where, at Val Scerscen and Monte del Forno, two deposits were discovered some years ago. In the last, the compact and fine-grained microstructure, and color confer to rhodonite an agreeable aspect, making it worthy of attention as gemological material [Fig. 1]. At Monte del Forno rhodonite occurs in a Mn-ore deposit (altitude: 2761 m) showing stratiform features, and in association with spessartine garnet, Mn-Ca carbonates, calcite, Mn-hydroxides, tephroite, and quartz [1, 2]. This study aims to provide new data on rhodonite from this locality, investigating gem-quality samples by means of standard gemological methods, X-ray powder diffraction, EMP and EDS chemical analyses. The investigated samples have a massive and opaque aspect with a color ranging from pink, white-pink to pale brown, due to the occurrence of accessory minerals as well as of surface alteration. Black veins and patches of Mn-hydroxides are very common. The specific gravity (SG = 3.43-3.65) and the refractive index (1.73, measured by the distant vision method) are in the range of rhodonite. The XRPD data are also consistent with rhodonite, although show the occurrence of quartz (up to ~10 wt%) which makes easier the carving-polishing and affects the color tones of this stone. Rhodonite of ideal composition has never reported to occur naturally, and a realistic formula is (Mn,Ca)5Si5O15 but Fe and Mg are common substituents. Stoichiometric formula of our average chemical analysis resulted: (Mn3.89Ca0.74Fe0.2Mg0.13)4.98Si5.01O15 with minor content of Zn and Ni (

New data are presented for demantoid from Val Malenco, Italy, as obtained by classical gemological methods, electron microprobe and LA-ICP-MS chemical analyses, and UV-Vis-NIR and mid-IR spectroscopy. The results confirmed that these garnets are almost pure andradite (>=98 mol%, RI >1.81, SG = 3.81-3.88). All 18 samples studied contained "horsetail" inclusions, which are characteristic of a serpentinite geologic origin. Fe and Cr control the coloration of demantoid, though color variations in these samples were mainly correlated to Cr content.