EUSALP ENERGY AWARD 2024 IN A NUTSHELL
2024.12.06
The decarbonisation of the energy sector through solutions that enhance energy efficiency and the rollout of renewable energy are necessary to mitigate global climate change. The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) has set itself the goal of reducing CO2 emissions from the energy sector in the Alpine region. One of the concrete measures implemented to achieve this goal, is the organization of the annual EUSALP Energy Award.
EUSALP Energy Award winners 2024
The 2024 award edition was organised under the motto “energy transition in Small and Medium Entreprises” and honours measures, activities and projects of enterprises that significantly lower their energy needs making them energy transition pioneers! The awarding session took place on 14 November at the prestigious Brdo pri Kranju castle, in the frame of the EUSALP Annual Forum organized by the Slovenian EUSALP Presidency.
Congratulations to the four SME’s that were selected by the international jury of experts! This is a great recognition of their outstanding performance in the intervention fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, circular economy, carbon footprint, mobility and communication!
The winners at a glance:
Zotter Schokolade, Austria, Styria
Jury Verdict:
“Zotter Schokolade proves that family businesses can operate sustainably in a holistic way and be future-oriented. The company excels in energy efficiency, produces its own electricity from PV panels, generates heat from waste, undertakes life-cycle assessments of their products and is converting its car fleet to e-mobility. The company always keeps a close eye on its own carbon footprint and communicates widely and convincingly about the importance of sustainability. A true energy pioneer!”
Winery Bolzano / Bozen, Italy, South Tyrol
Jury Verdict:
“The new premises of the historic winery Bolzano were constructed in accordance with high energy efficiency standards. The winery, run by a cooperative, conducts energy consumption analyses, applies free cooling systems and heat recovery to make the winery’s energy consumption as efficient as possible. Photovoltaic panels have been integrated into the new building and the company publishes sustainability reports. This example shows that the wine production industry can combine tradition with modern technology.”
Arbor Chairs, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Jury Verdict:
“The chair manufacturer Arbor Chairs is a family business in its third generation. The company proves that it can keep pace with trends in the furniture design industry and with technology developments of the energy sector at the same time. It uses lean transformation to modernise the enterprise and has implemented energy efficiency measures such as thermal insulation, LED lightning systems, air leakage analysis and energy diagnosis. Arbor has a photovoltaic system that covers a large part of its own energy needs. Wood waste from production is thermally used. More companies like Arbor Chairs are needed that do not shy away from the energy transition but embrace it!”
Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort, Italy, South Tyrol
Jury Verdict:
“The Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort is a modern hotel that prioritises the efficient use of energy. The hotel building fulfils the highest energy efficiency standards, the company carries out energy diagnoses, relies on heat recovery and free cooling systems. A woodchip system for heat generation is installed. The hotel analyses its energy consumption to identify further potential for energy savings. The hotel’s photovoltaic panels cover a large part of its energy needs. The Cyprianerhof calculates its carbon footprint and publishes a sustainability report, thus setting standards for the hotel industry.”
Jury members:
- Vlasta Krmelj, Director, Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje, Slovenia
- Matteo Mazzolini, Director, Energy Agency Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
- Bruno Oberhuber, Director, Energy Agency Tyrol, Austria
- Sandra Pasaricek, EUSALP Youth Council, Austria
- Estelle Perinel, Tenerrdis, France
- Ulrich Santa, General Director, Energy Agency South Tyrol-CasaClima, Italy
- Maximiliane Schmiedmayer, Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Germany
- Etienne Vienot, Head of Europe and International, Auvergne Rhone Alpes Energy and Environment Agency, France
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