Five days of events dedicated to promoting, discussing and celebrating energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) kicks off today, June 18, in almost 40 countries. Organized by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation 

Five days of events dedicated to promoting, discussing and celebrating energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) kicks off today, June 18, in almost 40 countries. Organized by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI), EUSEW has the goal of bringing the issue of sustainable energy to the centre of public attention.

To spread best practices, inspire new ideas and showcase activities dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions, hundreds of “Energy Days” will be held in many European cities, from Monday, June 18, to Friday, June 22. The initiative will involve major players in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy: local and regional government authorities, private companies, consumer associations, chambers of commerce, universities, non-governmental organizations and research centres. In Italy alone, over a hundred events and activities are taking place in many cities.

“With USD 28 billion in clean energy investment in 2011, Italy is a leader in green investing”, said Massimo De Petro, CEO of GeoEnergie SpA and raw materials procurement manager of RadiciGroup. “In the last five years, our country has stood out in renewable energy growth. Today, Italy ranks fourth among the G20 countries in clean energy investment, first in five-year growth rate and investment intensity, and sixth in installed clean energy capacity. Energy plays a central role in sustainable development, and we know very well how crucial industrial energy policies are for sustainability. In Italy, implementing an energy policy that is both effective and sustainable is a must for any organization. Companies need to seek competitive prices on the market. But that's not all. They have to take advantage of all opportunities – from autonomous energy production to making plants more energy efficient – and achieve an in-depth understanding of their energy profile and any shortcomings. What's more, they must stop relying solely on old partners and direct their efforts toward increasing the use of renewable energy. This is the starting line.”

For over ten years now, RadiciGroup has chosen to take a proactive approach to its energy policy, making it a tool for saving and resource rationalization and, indeed, a real business. This objective has been attained through Geogreen, a company founded for the purpose of serving as the sole energy supplier for Group companies, as well as a gateway to the external energy market, where it produces and sells electric power and gas and provides services and consulting to the energy sector. Another key instrument of RadiciGroup energy policy is its sustainability project Operation Twenty4, which is aimed at reducing energy consumption by 20% and increasing the share of energy from renewable sources by 20%.

“Through the years, RadiciGroup has put considerable effort into optimizing and cutting energy use at its Italian plants," said Stefano Savoldelli, energy manager of RadiciGroup. “It has sought to achieve the best possible mix of energy from renewable and non-renewable sources. In 2011 energy produced from renewable sources accounted for 40% of energy consumption, 4% higher than in the prior year. A significant example of virtuous practice comes from Radici Yarn SpA, a Group company located in the province of Bergamo, which partially powers its production lines with a natural gas cogeneration plant. Additionally, Radici Yarn benefits from a direct connection to two near-by hydroelectric plants managed by Group supplier GeoEnergie SpA, yielding obvious savings and cost optimization. Equally important is the sustainable use of water, a precious environmental resource 'at zero distance' needed for local industry, which is also a vital resource of the community."

“Energy efficiency and renewable resources," Mr. De Petro added, “are key factors in achieving the dual goals of energy savings and sustainable development. Initiatives such as EU Sustainable Energy Week are important tools to raise public awareness of these topics. Our Energy Day is going to take place on Saturday, June 28, as planned, barring unforeseen circumstances. On this occasion we are going to open the Campignano hydroelectric plant in Parre, province of Bergamo, to the public.”
 
Conferences…Sustainable Energy Week includes a high-level conference in Brussels on renewable energy policy to be held primarily in the European Commission’s Charlemagne building, from 19 to 21 June. The conference programme is extremely rich and varied, with sessions on all the different aspects of renewable energy. This year, particular attention will be given to the commercial, financial and investment aspects. Presenters on this topic will be, among others, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank).


For more information on SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WEEK, please visit the site: www.eusew.eu




18 June 2012