Improving Cold Chain Energy Efficiency

ended

The ICCEE (Improving Cold Chain Energy Efficiency) project will facilitate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the cold chains of the food and beverage sector to undertake energy efficiency measures (EEMs) after carrying out supply chain energy audits. The focus on the cold chains of the sector is due to the significant energy requirements (refrigerated transport, processing and storage) with large potentials for savings. The implementation of the holistic approach, shifting from the single company perspective to the chain assessment, lead to increased opportunities for EEMs. To enable the update of EEMs, ICCEE will a) implement and apply an analytical energy efficiency tool to support and facilitate decision-making at different company organisational levels and b) launch a capacity building program towards staff and relevant stakeholders and a community dedicated to support a change in energy culture of the sector. The feasibility of EEMs will be evaluated by considering economic, environmental and social impacts encompassing their entire life cycle and the entire supply chain. Non-energy benefits and behavioural aspects will also be addressed and recommendations on financing schemes for SMEs will be assessed. The first part of the trainings will reach 300 companies through 20 national workshops thanks to the collaboration of associations in the consortium. 32 companies will be trained for the use of the tool in 4 EU workshops. At a final step, ICCEE will launch e-learning courses, which will be available also beyond the project’s lifetime reaching at least additional 64 companies. ICCEE will introduce primary energy savings (118 GWh/year), increase invested capital in sustainable energy (64 million €), and reduce GHG emissions (40,376 tonCO2/year). Capacity building activities allow to increase stakeholders’ knowledge and enhance their energy culture (2000 people). Outcomes from ICCEE will also support policymakers in defining tailored policies for the sector.