We want to be an all-encompassing partner capable of leading the new generations towards the energy transition.
In order to mitigate the impacts of climate change, a gradual energy transition is imperative.
This is the transition from an energy mix centred on fossil fuels to more sustainable ways of producing and consuming energy, based on the use of renewable sources.
Alperia and its contribution to the energy transition
More renewable energy
The energy transition is for us an urgent issue that can no longer be postponed, which is why we aim to produce our energy primarily from renewable sources such as water (today we are already at 93%), but we want to increase this percentage by investing in other green energy solutions:
- we build district heating systems powered by heat generated from biomass and municipal solid waste,
- we develop residential and industrial photovoltaic solutions,
- we invest in the construction of green hydrogen plants and
- we are working on the construction of biomethane plants for businesses.
More energy efficiency
We take specific measures to combat climate change by supporting energy savings, improved business performance and efficient use of energy.
In 2020, Alperia equipped itself with an Energy Manager with whom it has strengthened the path to energy efficiency and emissions reduction and implemented a structured emissions reporting process for the Group.
As we do it for ourselves, we also do it for our customers by offering them solutions for the energy upgrading of buildings, decarbonisation and the use of advanced automation systems (Sybil Solution) which, in a predictive manner, are able to optimise complex production processes and building climate control systems.
Less CO2emissions
Alperia has taken important steps to reduce emissions, starting with the objectives of Vision 2031, which sets the ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040:
- sale of green electricity only and progressive sale of green gas and biomethane
- switch to biomass plants or other district heating sources/technologies
- electrification of the fleet, where possible
- reduction of natural gas for heating offices and increase in renewables with extension of photovoltaics on building roofs
- renewable EE supply contracts
- staff awareness and waste reduction
- Capture & Storage projects
More biodiversity
We strive to protect the environment and its biodiversity, which is why we have initiated two Community Investment projects in this direction: one dedicated to promoting biodiversity and one to reforestation with the collaboration of the Climate Network. We implement various measures to consolidate fish stocks, build fish ladders to the intake structures, carry out river improvements and monitor and manage the DMV (Minimum Vital Flow). We also implement measures to promote sustainable water use, in cooperation with local farmers and municipalities.
Our commitment to the territory
We at Alperia want to play a leading role in shaping a sustainable and innovative ecosystem throughout the local territories in which we operate, with the aim of safeguarding the value and well-being of the community.
For this reason, we chose to start from South Tyrol, the region where we were born, turning it into a cutting-edge Smart Region in order to facilitate synergy between urban and extra-urban territories through innovative solutions.
Through our Smart Region project, we aim to enhance a specific territory through an integrated digital infrastructure comprising public lighting, optical fibre, charging points, video surveillance and IoT sensors, which allow to optimise energy consumption by sharing saving strategies and reducing CO2 consumption.
At a micro level, our Smart City project also aims to enhance the operational performance of single cities through special smart sensors (“Smart Meters”).
Our sensors can facilitate the continuous exchange of information between citizens and infrastructure by providing a vast amount of accurate and real-time data and information. Such system makes it possible to make strategic choices concerning the proper functioning of the urban network, transforming it into a sustainable environmental, economic and social ecosystem.
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors that affect local life and economy – this is why we at Alperia have also been working on Smartland.
Through Smartland, we support the work of farmers by providing them with sensors and digital tools that can optimise, automate and make several agricultural practices more sustainable, as well as safeguard water resources.
We are constantly working to reduce the use of energy derived from fossil fuels. For these reasons, we also promote electric mobility through Neogy, our subsidiary.
Electric cars eliminate CO2 emissions, decrease noise pollution and allow you to travel using clean energy that derives from 100% renewable sources – true, all-encompassing green mobility.
To make mobility even more sustainable, we are expanding our charging point network throughout the territory, which today includes 70,000 charging points in Italy and Europe, so as to reduce 700 tons of CO2.
To ensure a reliable supply of hydrogen, the Institute for Technological Innovations (IIT), of which Alperia is a major partner, manages the Bolzano Hydrogen Centre, which includes a green plant for the production of hydrogen by means of electrolysis with adjoining storage, as well as the first public refuelling stations in Italy. Thanks to its participation in various EU projects (e.g. CHIC, HyFIVE, LIFEalps), the region is truly benefitting from a wealth of know-how that is becoming increasingly important.
Hydrogen will become a viable energy vector that will fill some of the gaps still present in green energy, especially in terms of energy storage, and also has the potential to reduce emissions in the so-called “hard to abate” sectors, i.e. sectors in which electrification is not easily achievable. In this way, we are not only promoting zero-emission mobility but also boosting our entire South Tyrol area, turning it into a technologically innovative territory and exemplary green region.