Emerging business models for energy efficiency in buildings

Panel: 3. Local action

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Dario Di Santo, FIRE, Italy
Giuseppe Tomassetti, FIRE, Italy
Veronica Venturini, FIRE, Italy
Stefano D'Ambrosio, FIRE, Italy

Abstract

The European energy efficiency and the EPBD directives emphasize the role of buildings within the climate and energy strategy. Given the high energy consumption of the building sector the European approach provides a mix of mandatory targets, minimum requirements, labeling, and supporting tools to help member states in delivering the requested energy efficiency improvements. A strong action on the building stock represents also an unique opportunity in terms of market development, employment, and contrast of fuel poverty, with many related benefits.

Despite the commitment from the European Commission and the available benefits, the renovation of the public real estate clashes with the financial condition of many public bodies, the lack of economic and human resources, and the inadequate development of the energy efficiency market.

The authors carried on in 2013–2014 a comprehensive study in Italy on the skills, business models and policies available in order to overcome the existing barriers and support the public sector in the energy renovation of its building stock. Specifically, the study shows that many new approaches are emerging to facilitate and permit the required market transformation.

Based on the results of the study mentioned above, the paper will illustrate the most interesting case studies about the analyzed business models and illustrate how different approaches can be adapted to different situations, involving both public and private parties. Some case studies took advantage from the involvement of different financing sources, others profited from synergies between local parties and local policies, others – like electricity and gas supply – were able to change their business model, others showed how companies that understand the concept of green economy can play a role in improving their territory. The results can be of interests both for policy makers and market actors.