Reinterpreting the role of the utilities for growth

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Edison, one of the main energy companies in Italy and Europe, will be present at REbuild 2018 in Riva del Garda, on May 29th and 30th.

Together with Paolo Quaini, Director of the Energy Services Market Division of Edison, we have tried to understand the prospects and challenges that await the utilities.

What are Edison’s figures and the sector’s strategies regarding energy efficiency?

Edison, one of the largest energy companies in the country, has long supported the development of energy and environmental services in the traditional businesses linked to the production and marketing of electricity and gas. In 2016, witnessing the growing commitment in this sector, which is central to the country's de-carbonisation strategy, a specific division was created which today employs over 2,200 people, in Italy and abroad, where it operates through 6 specialised companies and ESCOs.

How should we interpret the role of the utilities, especially regarding the matter of de-carbonisation, the theme of REbuild?

Edison is working to better respond to the needs of customers and local areas with innovative offers for resource efficiency, aware that in order to grow, it is necessary to reinterpret the role of utilities, becoming a partner of the local area and an essential player of the ecosystem.

De-carbonisation is not only a matter of technology, but above all, of intelligent solutions and a global approach to the production and use of resources in a circular economy logic. The winning combination for sustainable development and growth is the combination of efficient and digital energy systems.Digital is crucial for us, both to enhance the optimisation of industrial processes at our customers' sites, and in our model of approach to cities - smart cities - starting from the energy redevelopment of buildings to urban regeneration.

What are the strategies concerning the construction sector and in the process of requalification of real estate heritage?

In the construction sector, we are constantly looking for an exchange of idea with those who think, design and manage the spaces and functions to conceive the very best energy performance right from the origin. The community of the future, that will be energy self-sufficient, and positive energy building are the goal of our work, but for this to happen it is necessary that local communities, architects and energy experts simultaneously conceive forms, functions and performances. The Edison approach is one which overcomes vertical traditions where there is someone who deals with the outer shell, someone else who deals with the installation and yet another who looks after information management regarding the use of energy and space. To achieve verticality in a transversal approach, the road is that of guaranteeing performance through digital transformation that can count on three core pillars: BIM as a method and way of modelling of the building from the outset; Building Energy Management System (BEMS) to manage energy in an automated manner, optimising consumption and offering the best IoT solutions to increase comfort and use of space. This approach is at the heart of our strategy in the field of the redevelopment of Italian real estate stock and urban regeneration, aiming towards IoT platforms for entire cities, a matter in which our group has important international experiences.