The EU-MERCI project aims to enhance energy efficiency in the European industry by providing coordinated methods and real-case procedures, supported by funding from the EU's Horizon 2020 program. The Italian Federation for the Rational Use of Energy (FIRE) plays a crucial role in promoting energy efficiency, supporting various stakeholders including public authorities and energy companies, and managing certifications for energy management experts. The project emphasizes the importance of integrating energy efficiency into core business practices and provides resources and good practices to facilitate its implementation across industries.

1. EU-MERCI
EU coordinated MEthods and procedures based on Real Cases for the effective implementation
of policies and measures supporting energy efficiency in the Industry
Fostering the growth of energy efficiency in the EU industry
This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Energy efficiency:
beyond energy savings
Dario Di Santo, FIRE
5 April 2017
www.eumerci.eu

2. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
The Italian Federation for the Rational use of Energy is a
no-profit association founded in 1987 that promotes
energy efficiency, supporting energy manager, ESCOs and
other companies dealing with energy.
Besides the activities directed to its over 400 members,
FIRE operates under an implementing agreement with
the Ministry of Economic Development to manage the
Italian energy manager network since 1992.
In order to promote energy efficiency FIRE cooperates
and deals with public authorities, energy technology and
service companies, consultants, medium and large
consumers, universities and associations to promote best
practices and improve the legislation.
FIRE manages SECEM - an accredited body - to certify the
Energy management experts according to the standard
UNI CEI 11339.
FIRE: the association for energy efficiency
www.fire-italia.org

3. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
FIRE: the association for energy efficiency
Some members of FIRE:
A2A S.p.A., ABB S.p.A., Aeroporto Valerio Catullo S.p.A., Albapower S.p.A., AMIA
S.p.A., AMIAT S.p.A., ANIGAS, Avvenia s.r.l., Axpo Italia S.p.A., Banca Mediolanum
S.p.A., Banca Popolare di Sondrio, Birra Forst S.p.A., Bit Energia s.r.l., Bosch Energy and
Building Solutions Italy s.r.l., Brembo S.p.A., Burgo Group S.p.A., Cabot Italiana S.p.A.,
Carbotermo S.p.A., Carraro S.p.A., Carrefour Italia S.p.A., Centria s.r.l., Cofely Italia
S.p.A., Comau S.p.A., Compagnia Generale Trattori S.p.A., Consul System S.p.A., CPL
Concordia soc. coop., Credito Emiliano S.p.A., CTI, DBA Progetti S.p.A., DNV GL
Business Assurance Italia s.r.l., Dolomiti Reti S.p.A., Edison Energy Solutions S.p.A.,
Electrade S.p.A., Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.p.A., Energika s.r.l., Energon Esco s.r.l.,
Energy Saving Management Consultants s.r.l., Energy Team S.p.A., ENI S.p.A., Estra
Clima s.r.l., Fedabo S.p.A., Fenice S.p.A., Ferriere Nord S.p.A., Fiera Milano S.p.A.,
FINCO, Finstral AG S.p.A., FIPER, Generali Real Estate SGR S.p.A., Gewiss S.p.A., Gruppo
Società Gas Rimini S.p.A., H3G S.p.A., Hera S.p.A., Industrie Cotto Possagno S.p.A.,
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., ISAB s.r.l., ISPRA, Italcementi S.p.A., Italgas S.p.A., Italgraniti
Group S.p.A., Lidl Italia s.r.l., Manutencoop Facility Management S.p.A., Marche
Multiservizi S.p.A., Mater-Biopolymer s.r.l., Mediamarket S.p.A., Munksjo Italia S.p.A.,
Pasta Zara S.p.A., Politecnico di Torino, Publiacqua S.p.A., RAI - Radiotelevisione
Italiana S.p.A., Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A., Roma TPL s.c.a.r.l., Romagna Energia
S.c.p.a., Roquette Italia S.p.A., S.p.A. Egidio Galbani, S.p.A. Michelin Italiana,
STMicroelectronics s.r.l., Tecno s.r.l., Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A., Tholos s.r.l.,
Tioxide Europe s.r.l., Trenitalia S.p.A., Trentino Trasporti S.p.A., Turboden s.r.l., U,
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Wind Telecomunicazioni S.p.A., Yousave S.p.A.
Our membership include organization and professionals
both from the supply and the demand side of energy
efficiency services and solutions.
Over 400 members, half of them
persons and half organisations.

4. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
FIRE: the association for energy efficiency
Besides being involved in many European projects, listed next,
FIRE implement surveys and market studies on energy related
topics, information and dissemination campaigns, and
advanced training.
Some of FIRE clients over the years: Ministry of Environment,
ENEA, GSE, RSE, large organizations (such as Centria, ENEL,
Ferrovie dello Stato, FIAT, Finmeccanica, Galbani, H3G, Poste
Italiane, Telecom Italia, Unioncamere), universities,
associations, energy agencies and exhibition organizers.
www.fire-italia.org
European project on-going:

5. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
What is energy efficiency?
What is this energy
efficiency?
Why should I care and
invest in it?

6. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Most would say: energy saving!
Don’t know… But
energy efficiency is
cool!
Ghhgghh
Turn off lights!
Turn off those
damned LEDs that
keep me awake!
Haul aft and
chase the wind,
sailor!
Reduce energy
consumption!
But
everyone
has got his
own ideas…

7. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Energy saving is just one of the pieces…
Avoid energy waste,
adopt best technologies,
use renewables, recover
heat losses…
Energy efficiency good practices allow
to collect many benefits.
These benefits are tangible even with
low energy prices (at least in absolute
terms) and can affect production
margins.
As shown by the energy diagnoses
made in connection with the EED
directive, there are many
opportunities to intervene…
… yet many projects remain in the
drawer.
One of the reasons is that energy
saving alone is not attractive enough!

8. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
… there are multiple benefits…
Luke, if improve
energy efficiency
you want, the Force
you shall use!
Source of the figure: IEA, Capturing the multiple benefits of energy efficiency.

9. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
… and unwanted effects too, obviously!
Luke, follow me,
and I will show you
the rebound
effect…
Energy efficiency doesn’t carry only benefits.
The negative effects in fact mirror the positive
ones: depending on the situation one can
obtain either a benefit or a loss (e.g. usually
energy efficiency projects imply a reduction of
maintenance costs, but sometimes it can be
the opposite).
Assessing the magnitude of these risks and
mitigation strategies will overcome one of the
main problems of energy efficiency: to be
perceived as distant, complex, and possible
source of problems.

10. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
We need vision!
Source: “Unlocking Industrial Resource Productivity: 5 core beliefs to increase profits through energy, material, and
water efficiency”, Hammer e Somers, McKinsey & Company.
To estimate the theoretical limit both
operational - which vary according to use -
and design losses shall be taken into
account.

11. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Energy efficiency: a powerful ally
Energy manager,
may the Force be
with you!
Over time, energy management will increasingly be
linked to sustainability and efficient management
of all resources:
energy;
water;
materials;
emissions;
waste.
Energy needs to be linked to the quantity of raw
materials used in the process, emissions, and
production, trying to assess how a resource
efficient management can improve profits by
reducing costs and/or increasing production.
The vision of energy management must extend
over time beyond the physical boundaries of the
company and rely on collaboration with the other
functions dealing with the core
business and sustainability.

12. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Resource efficiency means competitiveness
Fonti: The Impact of Corporate Sustainability on Organizational Processes and Performance, Eccles et Al. The
Performance Frontier: Innovating for a Sustainable Strategy, Eccles, Serafeim. Harvard Business School.
Various studies show that investing in environmental, social and
governance resources - choosing the ones that can bring greater
benefit to your industry - leads to improved financial performance
over those who do not.
Energy efficiency
and sustainability. I
got the picture, but
does it work?

13. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
No wonder leaders think about resource efficiency
Apple and
Google, for
example, are
leader in
sustainability as
well.

14. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
And speaking of leaders…
Do you think at
Lego we spend our
time combing
dolls?*
* Italian saying meaning
wasting time…

15. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
And to get to the whole picture: ISO 50001!
The main EnMS’s strengths
are the link between energy
management and decision-
makers and the relationships
between different business
functions.
Another key aspect is the
connection to data
monitoring systems.
A well implemented EnMS
shows how to use energy
efficiency to boost the
company core business,
improving the value
proposition and value chain.
Source of the figure: SEP program, US DOE.

16. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
ISO 50001 certification
Fonte: FIRE su dati Accredia.
Source of the figure: ISO survey 2016.

17. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Energy management 2.0
So, energy efficiency is
energy saving, but also
much more.
Energy efficiency
No priority
Strategic
factor
Integration of
energy efficiency
in core business
Behavioural
change
Energy audits,
monitoring, and
benchmarking
Know-how
development
Information
campaigns and
case studies
Awareness
rising
ISO 50001
LEAN
manufacturing
Development of
attitudes
Resources as
business driver
in-inside-out
Holistic
approach
Source: FIRE.

18. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Paris climate agreement 2015
Energy efficiency is the main pillar
of the action required to save us
and our planet.
By using more efficiently their
resources, industries will also
improve their competitiveness.

19. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Per concludere
19

20. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
How can EU-MERCI help you?
The EU-MERCI project is going to provide a platform listing
the best good practices available for the main industrial
sectors divided by NACE code.
A better knowledge of such solutions will also facilitate
third party financing for industries.
By joining the EU-MERCI community industries can:
Get a first-hand access to the project deliverables and
have the opportunity to improve them;
Propose and share case studies and good practices;
Have the possibility to get in touch with other EU
industries, associations, financial institutions, etc.;
Get visibility through the EU-MERCI dissemination
activities (webinars, conferences, reports, etc.);
Better understand how the national policies and
incentive schemes can help in implementing energy
efficiency projects;
Receive the EU-MERCI newsletter and information on
the main activities and reports;
Support industry in developing new
products and processes through an
improved use of energy.
www.eumerci.eu

21. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
To conclude with…
Ok, ok, understood… So:
EU-MERCI will help me
implementing energy efficiency
actions;
I should think about an EnMS…
And, I promise, I won’t forget all
this when I come back to my desk!

22. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Disclaimer
Lego and Apple are registered trademarks. We yellow-faced puppets
were fished on Google, where we filled out research without
apparent copyright in use. We do not necessarily think as the author
of this presentation (poor Shakespeare, bent to wicked ideas…). In
fact, we do not even think, but let you enjoy with us for how much
you want… indeed, we are even better than energy efficiency!

23. EU-MERCI
EU coordinated MEthods and procedures based on Real Cases for the effective implementation
of policies and measures supporting energy efficiency in the Industry
Fostering the growth of energy efficiency in the EU industry
This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement N°
693845
Contacts
www.eumerci.eu
info@eumerci.eu
+39 06 3048 3626
@eu_eumerci1
Yes, we can fly!
(just use wings)