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ATENEA4SME: Industrial SME Self-Evaluation of Energy Efficiency

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio Ferraro

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Giacomo Bruni

    (Dipartimento Unità Efficienza Energetica, Laboratorio Efficienza Energetica nei Servizi Economici, via Anguillarese 301, 00060 Roma, Italy)

  • Marcello Salvio

    (Dipartimento Unità Efficienza Energetica, Laboratorio Efficienza Energetica nei Servizi Economici, via Anguillarese 301, 00060 Roma, Italy)

  • Milena Marroccoli

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Antonio Telesca

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

  • Chiara Martini

    (Dipartimento Unità Efficienza Energetica, Laboratorio Efficienza Energetica nei Servizi Economici, via Anguillarese 301, 00060 Roma, Italy)

  • Federico Alberto Tocchetti

    (Dipartimento Unità Efficienza Energetica, Laboratorio Efficienza Energetica nei Servizi Economici, Sede di Palermo, via Principe di Granatelli 24, 90139 Palermo, Italy)

  • Antonio D’Angola

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, via dell’Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy)

Abstract

Promoting energy efficiency in the Italian production sector is significantly hampered by the lack of knowledge, the scarcity and the limited distribution of tools for supporting energy audits in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a wide range of Italian economic sectors (industry, tertiary sector, transport). The Advanced Tool for ENErgy Audit for SMEs, ATENEA4SME, is intended to help SMEs promote energy-efficiency projects, supports energy audits and self-evaluation of energy consumption. The tool uses an original mathematical model that takes into account the results of questionnaires and a multi-criteria analysis to generate recommendations for energy efficiency investments. This article will give a thorough explanation of the tool, emphasizing and outlining the sections as well as the procedures to get the ultimate summary of the energy usage of the enterprises under investigation and the potential for energy saving. From a technological and financial perspective, the tool helps to remove obstacles to the development of energy-efficiency measures. In this article, the IT and methodological structure of the tool will therefore be extensively described, and its operation for the context of SMEs will be illustrated, with application cases. Ample space will be allocated to the dissemination campaign and the replicability of the tool for all economic sectors of the industrial and tertiary sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Ferraro & Giacomo Bruni & Marcello Salvio & Milena Marroccoli & Antonio Telesca & Chiara Martini & Federico Alberto Tocchetti & Antonio D’Angola, 2025. "ATENEA4SME: Industrial SME Self-Evaluation of Energy Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-28, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:4094-:d:1715889
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Backlund, Sandra & Thollander, Patrik & Palm, Jenny & Ottosson, Mikael, 2012. "Extending the energy efficiency gap," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 392-396.
    2. Giacomo Bruni & Alessandra De Santis & Carlos Herce & Luigi Leto & Chiara Martini & Fabrizio Martini & Marcello Salvio & Federico Alberto Tocchetti & Claudia Toro, 2021. "From Energy Audit to Energy Performance Indicators (EnPI): A Methodology to Characterize Productive Sectors. The Italian Cement Industry Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-28, December.
    3. Leonardo Leoni & Alessandra Cantini & Filippo De Carlo & Marcello Salvio & Chiara Martini & Claudia Toro & Fabrizio Martini, 2021. "Energy-Saving Technology Opportunities and Investments of the Italian Foundry Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-29, December.
    4. Cagno, Enrico & Accordini, Davide & Trianni, Andrea & Katic, Mile & Ferrari, Nicolò & Gambaro, Federico, 2022. "Understanding the impacts of energy efficiency measures on a Company’s operational performance: A new framework," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
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