Archives: Servizi

SECAP and Energy Planning

Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans TerrAria has supported more than 70 Public Administrations in preparing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAP) and, previously, more than 120 Administrations in drafting Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP). This long-term pathway has enabled us to support public bodies in defining integrated policies for reducing CO2 emissions, improving energy efficiency and increasing energy from renewable sources, contributing to the achievement of European climate sustainability objectives. Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans and SEAP are genuine strategic tools for municipalities, as they make it possible to plan concrete, measurable measures with a view to long-term climate sustainability. SEAP focuses mainly on measures aimed at reducing CO2 emissions through the efficiency of public and private buildings, sustainable mobility, energy generation from renewable sources and citizen awareness-raising. SECAP broadens this perspective by also integrating climate change adaptation. Within this framework, municipalities assess the climate risks present in their territory—such as heatwaves, floods or periods of drought—and define dedicated actions to reduce the vulnerability of urban systems. Climate change adaptation thus becomes an integral part of local planning, balanced with mitigation measures aimed at reducing CO2 emissions. Both plans are developed within the Covenant of Mayors and are configured as strategic tools guiding administrations in energy management, in promoting energy from renewable sources and in building more resilient communities and focused on climate sustainability. Their operational nature makes it possible to translate objectives into real actions that are monitorable and can be periodically updated. To effectively support Public Administrations in this process, TerrAria has made available the CO20 software, designed to facilitate the collection and processing of energy data, the assessment of measures and the monitoring of the evolution of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans. This dedicated tool simplifies the work of signatories, ensuring methodological consistency, transparency and long-term verifiability. In addition to the municipal scale, TerrAria also supports energy planning processes at wider territorial levels, contributing to the analysis of consumption, emissions and the effectiveness of adopted energy policies, with the aim of providing public bodies with a robust knowledge base that can be updated over time.

Energy manager

Optimisation of energy consumption TerrAria provides specialised expertise in the field of energy management to support Public Administrations that intend to improve energy management, reduce waste and plan targeted efficiency measures. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we assist public bodies in the systematic analysis of energy consumption and costs, providing concrete tools for a more informed use of resources and for the real optimisation of energy consumption. At the core of the activities is the role of the energy manager, the professional responsible for supervising energy flows and defining intervention priorities. Under the guidance of certified energy manager Giuseppe Maffeis, TerrAria supports Administrations in reading and interpreting consumption data, preparing the energy balance and identifying the main critical issues. The energy manager analyses consumption trends over time, detects anomalies and inefficiencies and plans improvement actions. Energy management is structured into integrated activities that make it possible to gain an in-depth understanding of the energy behaviour of public buildings and systems. The analysis of usage profiles, loads and abnormal consumption represents the starting point for defining effective efficiency strategies and cost containment measures. Alongside technical aspects, the energy manager also plays a central role in the administrative and economic verification of energy expenditure. TerrAria supports Administrations in analysing energy bills, verifying their consistency with the applied contractual conditions, with particular reference to supply contracts activated through CONSIP agreements. This control makes it possible to identify tariff inconsistencies, billing errors or incorrect application of economic conditions, contributing to a more transparent and efficient management of public resources. Particular attention is also paid to EPC (Energy Performance Contract) contracts, instruments that allow energy efficiency measures to be implemented through the involvement of an ESCo, with investments repaid through the savings achieved. TerrAria assists public bodies in the evaluation, monitoring and reporting of the objectives set out in EPC contracts, ensuring consistency between energy performance and economic results. Energy management activities also include the definition of medium- to long-term strategies aimed at progressively improving the efficiency of public assets and consolidating an optimisation of energy consumption based on real data, planning and sustainability.

Energy Desk

Awareness-raising and technical consultancy tool on energy issues The Energy Desk is an operational tool that supports the local energy transition through information, awareness-raising and technical consultancy activities in the energy field aimed at citizens, companies and local stakeholders. It is configured as an accessible and free point of reference, designed to provide clarification, guidance and energy advice on complex issues that are increasingly central to energy and climate policies. The Energy Desk provides citizens with up-to-date information on energy efficiency measures for buildings, from building envelope refurbishment to system optimisation and the adoption of innovative technologies. Through a technical consultancy service, it also offers support in understanding the economic incentives and tax deductions available at national and local level, helping users to identify the opportunities best suited to their needs and providing energy advice. A further area of activity concerns Self-Consumption Configurations for Renewable Energy Sharing, with basic information on energy communities, sharing models and environmental and economic benefits. The Energy Desk also offers a simple guide to reading energy bills, providing useful energy advice for navigating the liberalised market and for gaining a more informed understanding of consumption. Alongside direct information and technical consultancy, the Energy Desk also performs a monitoring and reporting function for European, national and regional funding calls, identifying opportunities that support both the actions envisaged in SECAP and the measures promoted by private stakeholders. Over the years TerrAria has managed Energy Desks in several municipalities, providing technical consultancy expertise, communication skills and a community participation-oriented approach, fostering the dissemination of energy advice.

Incentives

Funding for energy efficiency and renewables The identification, access and proper management of incentives for public investments now represent a key lever for enabling Public Administrations to implement energy efficiency measures, renewable energy generation and the refurbishment of public assets, while reducing the impact on budgetary balances. In this context, TerrAria provides structured specialist support, assisting public bodies throughout the entire process of identifying, applying for and managing the main incentive schemes for public investments available at national and European level. The service starts with a preliminary technical assessment of the proposed measures in order to verify their eligibility with respect to regulatory requirements and the specifications of individual incentive schemes for public investments. TerrAria then supports Public Administrations in selecting the most appropriate incentives, defining the procedural process and preparing the necessary technical and administrative documentation, ensuring consistency between the project, the energy framework and the objectives of the public body. A well-established area of activity concerns the Conto Termico (Thermal Account), for which TerrAria has been assisting numerous Administrations for years in defining measures, integrating energy audits, energy performance certificates, compliance checks and operational support up to the submission and management of applications on the dedicated Conto Termico (Thermal Account) portal. The service also includes support for reservation-based applications and direct applications, with continuous assistance to technical offices. In addition to traditional incentives, TerrAria also supports public bodies in accessing innovative instruments related to the energy transition, such as Self-Consumption Configurations for Renewable Energy Sharing. The integrated approach enables Administrations to turn incentive opportunities into concrete tools for implementing energy and climate policies, reducing procedural risks and improving the effectiveness of investments.

Energy Audits and Energy Certification of Buildings

Definition of the building energy balance Public Administrations are now required to manage a complex building stock, often characterised by energy-intensive buildings, outdated systems and high consumption. In this context, energy audits and the energy certification of buildings represent fundamental tools for planning targeted measures, improving efficiency and optimising financial resources. TerrAria supports public bodies through a structured process that enables an in-depth understanding of the energy performance of public buildings and the identification of technical solutions suited to the specific needs of the territory. Energy audits make it possible to define the energy balance of public buildings by analysing consumption, building envelope and systems in order to identify inefficiencies and possible refurbishment measures. TerrAria evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of the identified solutions, supporting Administrations in planning targeted investments and reducing operating costs. With more than 50 energy audits carried out, the approach is consolidated and replicable. Alongside audits, the energy certification of buildings is an essential element for classifying building performance and ensuring compliance with national and regional regulations. TerrAria prepares Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) based on accurate surveys, updated calculation tools and in-depth knowledge of the technical requirements of each intended use. Energy certification thus becomes a concrete support for planning measures, participating in calls and incentive schemes, and for transparently communicating energy performance to citizens.

Carbon Footprint and greenhouse gas emission calculation

Carbon footprint assessment Through internationally recognised methodologies, TerrAria supports organisations in preparing the carbon footprint (CFP) of manufacturing companies, including the calculation of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions in terms of CO₂ equivalent, providing reliable tools to assess climate impact and define improvement strategies. The carbon footprint quantification activity considers the set of direct and indirect emissions generated by corporate operations, classified according to the three scopes defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol: Scope 1, relating to GHG emissions from owned or controlled sources; Scope 2, linked to purchased and consumed energy; and Scope 3, which includes indirect GHG emissions associated with the company’s activities, from procurement to product distribution. When applied to the product life cycle, the carbon footprint makes it possible to analyse GHG emissions expressed in CO₂ equivalent generated throughout all stages, from raw material extraction to production, from product use to end-of-life treatment. This approach makes it possible to highlight the company’s critical points and guide it towards lower environmental impact solutions, design improvements, more sustainable energy choices and more efficient management practices. TerrAria supports companies at every stage of the process: identification of emission sources, data collection, definition of system boundaries, material flow modelling and final calculation of GHG emissions in terms of CO₂ equivalent. The outcome of the assessment becomes an operational tool for identifying carbon footprint reduction measures, monitoring performance over time and communicating results transparently to stakeholders, clients and partners.

ISO 50001

ISO 50001 energy management system certification pathway ISO 50001 certification represents a strategic tool for all organisations that wish to improve their energy performance in a structured way and ensure a more efficient and conscious use of energy. The standard defines the requirements necessary to develop, implement and maintain an effective energy management system, which can be integrated with other management systems already present within the organisation. The main objective is to foster continuous improvement that includes consumption reduction, identification of waste, efficiency increase and correct planning of energy uses. TerrAria supports companies throughout the entire ISO 50001 certification pathway, accompanying each phase with technical, organisational and documentary expertise. The service includes the initial analysis of the energy context, the definition of the management system scope and the preparation of the documentation required by the standard, including energy policy, objectives, performance indicators (EnPI) and monitoring plans. Detailed technical assessments, consumption analyses and identification of improvement areas are also carried out, in order to guarantee a solid and verifiable basis for the certification process. A central role is played by the application of the PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) approach, which structures the energy management system into a continuous cycle of planning, implementation, control and review. TerrAria supports companies in the consistent application of each phase, contributing to the definition of measurable objectives, the management of energy data and the verification of performance over time. The pathway also includes coordination with the certification body, preparation for audits and management of any corrective actions. Thanks to targeted support, the energy management system becomes an operational tool that allows the organisation to consolidate savings, improve energy governance and strengthen its sustainability.

Consumption Monitoring

Real-time consumption monitoring system through ERGapp TerrAria has made available to its clients an easy-to-install consumption monitoring system, ERGapp, a Web application delivered via browser as a service accessible from any device (PC, tablet, smartphone), capable of monitoring and analysing energy consumption in real time and reconstructing the company energy balance and energy model. ERGapp includes different modules, including Audit (supporting the energy audit) and Monitoring (for analysing energy consumption and calculating energy performance indicators). Through ERGapp Monitoring, the company can: keep the main corporate energy parameters under control, thanks to concise and easy-to-read dashboards; view its consumption in real time (the temporal detail depends on the speed of the corporate network), compare it with “typical” conditions in order to highlight anomalies, and normalise it with indicators to identify inefficiencies; view reactive energy in the form of costs in order to highlight any penalty charges; build energy performance indicators (EnPIs) through consumption per production indicator; view energy costs by corporate cost centre; view the company energy balance; activate an alerting service, both on the platform and, if required, via email, when predefined or customisable warning or alarm thresholds are reached; activate reporting services (Excel files with editable tables and charts) on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis, sent by email at scheduled deadlines or on request. ERGapp Monitoring can be integrated with different hardware consumption monitoring systems installed at the company’s premises (energy meters, multimeters, optical meters), and to date we have issued 20 licences.

Impact assessment modelling

CALPUFF, CALINE, COPERT and AERMOD models Local-scale modelling is an essential tool for assessing the impact of emissions on air quality within Environmental Impact Studies, Single Environmental Authorizations and Integrated Environmental and Health Impact Assessment. When an emission source – such as an industrial plant or a high-traffic road – affects the territory within a few kilometres, modelling simulations make it possible to estimate pollutant dispersion and predict possible effects on the environment and the population. For these analyses TerrAria uses several internationally recognised dispersion models, including CALPUFF, AERMOD and CALINE. AERMOD is officially adopted by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) as the preferred steady-state dispersion model; it is based on a Gaussian plume approach and allows estimation of pollutant concentrations in simple or complex terrain conditions. CALPUFF, also referenced by the EPA, is a non-steady-state Lagrangian model, particularly suitable for complex meteorological conditions. CALINE, on the other hand, is a model for dispersion from linear sources (such as roads) used for the assessment of vehicular traffic impacts. COPERT (COmputer Programme to calculate Emissions from Road Transport) is the European reference model for CORINAIR road traffic emission simulations. The model uses the vehicle fleet, mileage, speed and other data such as ambient temperature and makes it possible to calculate emissions and energy consumption for the area considered. Atmospheric dispersion models require hourly meteorological information over the entire calculation domain. Local-scale modelling simulations are generally carried out over one or more meteorological years, in order to include all atmospheric conditions and correctly estimate annual averages, percentiles and regulatory exceedances. The final processing of ground-level pollutant concentrations makes it possible to generate high-resolution dispersion maps, which are essential for assessing the impact of sources and identifying any critical issues. Thanks to this integrated approach, local-scale modelling becomes an essential support in the preparation of environmental impact studies, in emission assessment and in the definition of effective mitigation measures. TerrAria’s experience includes a wide range of emission contexts, ranging from construction sites and offshore platforms to road traffic, up to complex sources such as industrial flares, livestock farms and numerous types of production plants, including refineries, chemical plants, thermoelectric power stations, compression plants, incinerators, biogas and biomass cogeneration systems, coating lines and food industries.