Energy efficiency as key factor for the sustainability pathway: the case study of ESA-ESRIN in Rome

EU achieved the 20-20-20 goals of the 2020 Climate and Energy Package: 20% emission reduction of greenhouse gases compared to 1990 levels, 20% increment in the use of renewable energy for the coverage of EU energy demands, 20% reduction of the primary energy consumption compared to the 2020 levels originally forecasted in 2007. This EU success was possible thanks to the commitment of each nation and its public and private organizations, by mandatory rules, by economic incentives, and also by voluntary sustainability pathway of which energy efficiency is one of the most important components. The paper presents the real case of ESA ESRIN, the European Space Agency facility in Rome, showing how an organization can plan a sustainability pathway, follow it and then attain the 20-20-20 goals “within its walls”. The main energy efficiency interventions are reported and detailed, including: building renovations, partial electrification of heating systems with heat pumps, high efficiency electrical equipment (chillers, pumps, and lighting), building management systems, and photovoltaic plants. As shown, at the end of a 10-years path, ESA ESRIN achieved these targets: 55% reduction of GHG emissions, 37% reduction of primary energy consumption, and 20% coverage of the total energy consumption with RES. The paper wants to give a contribute to existing literatures providing a method that can be applied to evaluate the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability path of organizations in the last decade, thanks to the adaptation of the EU 20-20-20 goals to office facilities