Projects

Banco dell'Energia

Location: Italy

Banco dell’Energia is a non-profit organisation which works to support those in need socially and economically by both developing and supporting projects in collaboration with Fondazione Cariplo, a philanthropic organisation with a 25-year track-record. Founded in 2016, the work undertaken by Banco dell’Energia has thus far helped over 10,000 people through two editions of the ‘Let’s Donate Energy’ programme in collaboration with Fondazione Cariplo.

NextEnergy Foundation contributed to Banco dell’Energia’s project, Energia in Periferia (Energy in Periphery) in 2021-22. The project supported 104 households and individuals in vulnerable socio-economic situations in the periphery of Milan, specifically the area of Quarto Oggiaro, and in particular those adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In collaboration with Caritas and the Municipality of Milan, short- and long-term energy-related interventions were carried out. The short-term intervention involved paying 270 energy bills for the households. This was supplemented by a longer-term workstream undertaken with 81 representatives from across the households to breakdown their electricity usage and educate them on energy conservation so as to reduce energy bills in future. The majority of the attendees were elderly individuals and parents with young children. A third component of the project was to distribute LED lightbulbs to each family to maximise energy efficiency. This was carried out in partnership with Signify-Philips.

Location: Italy

NextEnergy Foundation has been working with Banco dell’Energia to alleviate fuel poverty in Italy since 2021. The Foundation contributed to Banco dell’Energia’s project, Energia in Periferia (Energy in Periphery) to support struggling households in the periphery of Milan, specifically the area of Quarto Oggiaro, following the knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. More details about the project are here.

This year, NextEnergy Foundation is renewing its partnership with Banco dell’Energia. Together with La Rotonda, which NEF also supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are establishing a community energy development on La Rotonda’s head office and community centre in Baranzate, Milan, Italy.

An 83.6kWp rooftop solar PV system is being installed and up to 80 households will be connected to it. The installation will be undertaken by 3E. Alongside the generation of clean, sustainable energy and the reduction of electricity bills for connected households, La Rotonda and Banco dell’Energia will carry out educational sessions for the local community on energy usage and conservation so as to reduce energy bills in future.

We will monitor the project for two years following the installation completion and begin reporting on the positive socio-economic and environmental impacts this year.

April 2024 – Completion of the solar panels installation and inauguration of SOL – SOLARI E SOLIDALI in Baranzate, Milan, the Renewable Energy Community aimed at fighting fuel poverty of families in the area. Thanks to Gianluca Boccanera from NextEnergy Group for developing the project in collaboration with Banco dell’Energia, La Rotonda and Fondazione AEM.

May 2024- The system became operational at the end of March and since then, it produced 86 kWh, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions by 3.45 tons.

The Solidarity Community of Renewable Energy (CSER) has begun to gather members, that are currently 20. In the coming months, these members will have the opportunity to have a consumption meter installed in their homes.

The CSER has been officially connected to the National Grid and by the end of the first year of operation, SOL will be able to evaluate the revenues from the sale of energy and the energy sharing with the members.