Energy Indicators for Enabling Energy Transition in Industry

Alessandro Franco (), Lorenzo Miserocchi and Daniele Testi
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Alessandro Franco: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Lorenzo Miserocchi: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Daniele Testi: Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Constructions Engineering (DESTEC), University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Energy transition is a fundamental process in the move towards sustainable development, but in industry, it is complicated by the remarkable sectoral heterogeneity. Fostering the realization of energy transition in the industrial sector requires the characterization of its energy dimension, in terms of energy mixes and end-uses as the determinants of transition pathways, and energy solutions and tools as the enablers of this transition paradigm. We observe that the suitability of tools for energy analysis depend on trade-offs between comprehensiveness, ease of use, robustness, and generalization ability. In this regard, we discuss the appropriateness of energy indicators and provide an overview of indicator typologies, methodological issues, and applications for energy performance evaluation and improvement. With reference to the dairy processing industry, selected as a representative industrial branch, we outline current and desirable energy benchmarking applications and exemplify the effectiveness of energy indicators in the quantification of the potential of energy solutions. The obtained results are promising and suggest that researchers should further explore the novel applications of energy indicators for energy performance improvement. To foster the establishment of energy indicators in industrial practice and energy policies, we remark that cooperation between industrial stakeholders is essential.

Keywords: energy transition; industry; energy indicators (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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