• Energy Research

This paper investigates the energy system of the Basilicata region (southern Italy) to highlight, through a scenario analysis, its possible future development in compliance with the European Commission's long-term vision. The IEA-ETSAP methodology was utilized to model and analyse the Basilicata energy system in a business-as-usual scenario, based on the assumptions of the 2010 Regional Energy and Environmental Policy Plan, and in two low-carbon scenarios, decarbonisation and high energy efficiency, which, in line with the long-term European strategy, foresee an 85% carbon dioxide emission reduction and a 20% energy efficiency increase in 2050. The results highlight that electricity production from renewable energy sources (in particular wind energy), strongly supported by the regional policy, goes beyond the Basilicata Regional Energy-Environmental Plan forecast, with a further increase in the decarbonisation scenarios. In addition, solar thermal and highly efficient technologies are adopted in commercial and residential end-use sectors. An additional 9% reduction in energy consumption is achieved in the high energy efficiency scenario by passive houses. The proposed approach shows the usefulness of a modelling framework typically used for national and supranational analyses to support regional authorities in their decision-making process to obtain results in line with the European and national strategies. Application to the Basilicata region shows the usefulness of a consolidated framework for policy assessment at a local scale to assess regional contribution to the achievement of national climate mitigation targets that tend towards climate neutrality.

In order to create in Europe a greener and low-carbon economy, based on a more effective use of resources, coordinated actions between local and regional governances must be carried out according to a bottom-up, cross-level approach. In this framework energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy sources are two key aspects for reducing emissions, improving the security of energy supply and competitiveness as well as making energy more accessible for consumers. In recent years, feed-in tariffs and other incentives have boosted in some European countries, including Italy, the distributed generation of electricity from renewable sources requiring a reorganisation of current electric power systems from passive to active networks where "prosumers" can play a key role in balancing the electricity system (smart grids). Microgrids can be considered as the "building blocks of smart grids" which utilise local load and local microsource generation, providing a large variety of economic, technical, environmental and social benefits to different stakeholders in terms of flexibility of ownership constitution, global optimisation of power system efficiency and motivation of end-consumers (Schwaegerland Tao 2014). This paper presents the results of an ongoing research concerning a comprehensive assessment of benefits and costs that microgrids development can provide at local/regional scale. First, the role of smart grids and microgrids is discussed with reference to the latest normative regulations and scientific findings. Second, we introduce a local case study (City of Potenza, Basilicata region, Southern Italy) which has been recently under the focus of a feasibility study focusing on microgrids. Finally, the main costs and benefits (economic and environmental) associated with the proposed intervention are evaluated, discussing about their replicability in other territorial contexts and providing some lessons learnt and final conclusions.

This work is aimed to illustrate the potentiality of the multi-region NEEDS-TIMES modelling platform, in the economic evaluation of the environmental damages due to air pollution. In particular the effects of external costs on the least-cost optimised energy system configuration were analysed in a national case study with the NEEDS-TIMES Italy model, considering the externalities related to local and global air pollutants (NOx, SO2, VOC, particulates and GHGs). Different scenarios were compared to emphasise the role of external costs in the achievement of strategic environmental targets. The main results obtained are discussed, focusing on the changes in energy fuel mix as well as in local air pollutants and GHG emissions, highlighting the main conclusions in terms of policy strategies.

The energy challenge is a complex issue that EU is facing. A sustainable, safe and competitive energy supply and climate change mitigation are nowadays key priorities of EU energy policy and a need for each EU Member State. Sustainable energy development at the regional level is a multiple and complex activity, involving various stakeholders and different measures. Three main thematic pillars, policy making, energy market and community involvement, have been identified as crucial in order to implement effective and feasible policy and measures at the regional scale. In this framework, the initial assessment of regional energy systems is an essential step to set up customized sustainable energy strategies. In the framework of the INTERREG IVC RENERGY project a structured methodology for the initial assessment of local communities (Self-Assessment -SAA) was defined and applied to the analysis of the partners' communities located in nine European Countries (Lithuania, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania) in order to outline the status of local energy infrastructures, renewable and energy efficiency potentials and to highlight the key issues to be exploited in the local implementation plans. The holistic approach of the SAA methodology is aimed at characterising the energy systems in terms of policy background, energy uses and infrastructures as well as market behaviour and community attitude for sustainable development, valorising the interrelationships among the project thematic pillars.

The evidence of relationships between climate change induced by greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin, and energy-economic issues (inappropriate use of fossil fuels and technologies, uncertainty in fuels price and demand trends, etc.) asks for the adoption of a holistic approach in order to re-orient the anthropogenic activities' system towards a configuration that harmonizes environmental protection, economic growth and security of energy supply. In this framework, energy system sustainability represents one of the major challenge the EU is facing and its implementation passes through a path of coordinate actions carried out by local governments in which objectives of sustainable development become integral part of strategic programming. The aim of this research is to provide local administrations with an analytical support tool to guide key strategic decisions in energy and climate planning on the medium-long term, assessing the possible role of local energy systems in the achievement of sustainable objectives at national/European scale. This paper focuses on the implementation of a partial equilibrium TIMES-generated model in a real case study, the regional energy system of Basilicata region (Southern Italy). First, it describes the adopted methodology. Second, it is provided a step-by-step description and characterisation of the reference energy system and the model's data input which represents the first step for an in-depth knowledge of the present energy system on which to build effective and sustainable local energy and climate plans.

Energy consumption can be significantly reduced by targeting consumers behaviour to achieve sustained energy savings and promote sustainable consumption patterns. In this context, the younger generations are a privileged target group to promote virtuous energy behaviours in the whole community. This paper describes the Schools4energy initiative, a program developed within the Interreg MED PrioritEE project, aimed at increasing energy efficiency in municipal public buildings by raising energy awareness in public schools while demonstrating the effectiveness of pupils' engagement to promote energy savings through virtuous behaviours. Schools4energy was based on a multifold "learning by doing" methodology implemented in the Living Lab of the Potenza case study. During the 2018/2019 school year, children aged between 3 and 14 belonging to four primary and middle schools owned by the Municipality of Potenza (Southern Italy) were involved in three sets of activities designed to valorise the power of young generation in promoting more conscious behaviours: a competition among schools to reduce energy consumption (School Race) based on the adoption of good energy practices based on a common Energy Charter, an artistic competition among students to support creative thinking (Art4energy) and gamification as an alternative method to learn about energy (Play4energy). The consumptions of natural gas and electricity were monitored from August 2018 to April 2019 to highlight the effects of the adoption of Energy Charter in terms of energy and money saved. Data analysis highlighted different trends among the participating schools, underlining their different commitment and the infrastructural barriers. Despite the harsher winter, an average decrease of 4% in natural gas consumption was observed in the school in which energy saving measures complemented technical interventions and a limited increase in electricity consumption (between 0.5% and 4.3% per capita), which led to savings on the energy bill of about 1122 Euro. The enthusiastic participation of the children highlighted the great potential of educational programmes in driving a steady change of mentality in the society.

The transition toward a decarbonized economy is one of the priority objectives of national and European policies on climate and energy to tackle the issues arising from climate change. In order to contain global warming due to climate change within 2° C, the European Council identified the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990 as fundamental target of the European Union. Each Member State have to give its own contribution, identifying in particular appropriate national policies in terms of the implementation of renewable energy sources and measures of high energy efficiency. These results could become more effective with a strong involvement of local governments, and therefore with a bottom up approach based on a strong collaboration and a sharing of energy policies between the central government and the local authorities. Partial equilibrium TIMES-generated models (the integrated MARKAL-EFOM system) are useful tools to individuate the best mix of technologies for energy production and of energy end-use devices, taking into account particular exogenous constraints through an optimization process that permit to identify the least cost-effective solution. The aim of this study is to analyse the energy system of the Basilicata region, localized in the Southern Italy, on the time horizon 2007-2050, and evaluate the change of energy systems with introduction of external constraints. In particular, two alternative scenarios have been implemented according the objectives of European Union Energy roadmap to 2050: the Decarbonisation scenario and the High Energy Efficiency (HEE) scenario. In the Decarbonisation scenario, a CO2 emissions reduction of 85% by 2050 compared with 1990 values is imposed to analyse the evolutions of energy system under the introduction of a strong environmental constraint, introducing also intermediate reduction rates of 40% and 60%, respectively in 2030 and 2040. In the High Energy Efficiency scenario, specific targets for increasing energy efficiency have been introduced such as the reduction of losses in the electricity distribution system and the use of high efficiency technologies in the final use sectors. The obtained results highlighted the best-suited mix of technologies and fuels to the achievement of the prefixed targets and how the end-use sectors can contribute to the achievement of a low-carbon economy.

Translating resource efficiency into practical European, national and local policy frameworks which integrate the various economic, social and environmental components passes through short to long term visions, strategies as well as measurable targets. The RE-SEEties project was funded by the South East Europe programme in order to contribute to the resource efficiency challenge.The project investigated on energy consumption and waste production and disposal; potential changes in consumption patterns and how policy making alternatives may support the achievement of resource efficiency targets. This paper aims to present the main results of this unique international cooperative experience carried out by research centres and municipalities in the South East Europe area. First, the paper focuses on the methodological toolkit and criteria for assessment which aims to support municipalities increating a sustainable and resource efficient future through coherent and appropriate planning practices. Second, the paper discusses the main result sobtained and lessons learned on a wide range of interrelate dissues covering the policy making process, financing of local resource-efficiency investments, good practices, tools to support decision-making and assessment methodologies. It also covers behavioural change and how policy can stimulate public authorities, companies and citizens to become more sustainable.