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Energy-Saving Technology Opportunities and Investments of the Italian Foundry Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Leonardo Leoni

    (Department of Industrial Engineering (DIEF), University of Florence, Viale Morgagni, 40, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Alessandra Cantini

    (Department of Industrial Engineering (DIEF), University of Florence, Viale Morgagni, 40, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Filippo De Carlo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering (DIEF), University of Florence, Viale Morgagni, 40, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Marcello Salvio

    (DUEE-SPS-ESE Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Lungotevere Thaon di Revel, 76, 00196 Rome, Italy)

  • Chiara Martini

    (DUEE-SPS-ESE Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Lungotevere Thaon di Revel, 76, 00196 Rome, Italy)

  • Claudia Toro

    (DUEE-SPS-ESE Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Lungotevere Thaon di Revel, 76, 00196 Rome, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Martini

    (DUEE-SPS-ESE Laboratory, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Lungotevere Thaon di Revel, 76, 00196 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The foundry industry is regarded as one of the most energy-intensive industrial sector due to its energy consumption up to 9 MWh/ton of produced metal. As a result, many companies are trying to increase the energy efficiency of their foundry plants. Since many energy-saving technologies are proposed by manufacturers and the literature, choosing the most appropriate one is a difficult task. Moreover, being updated with the available energy-saving solutions is complicated because of the quick technology advances. Consequently, this paper aims at investigating the recent and future opportunities and investments for reducing the energy consumptions of the technologies of Italian foundry companies. Additionally, it aims at presenting a list of available technological solutions validated by Italian experts. To this end, the Energy Audits developed by 231 plants were analyzed to extract the implemented and planned interventions. Furthermore, the economic data available within the Energy Audits were studied to determine the advantages of a given technological solutions compared to the others. It emerged that the companies are strongly investing in increasing the efficiency of the auxiliary systems such as compressors and motors. The outcomes of this study can assist both researchers and energy managers in choosing the most appropriate energy-saving solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Leoni & Alessandra Cantini & Filippo De Carlo & Marcello Salvio & Chiara Martini & Claudia Toro & Fabrizio Martini, 2021. "Energy-Saving Technology Opportunities and Investments of the Italian Foundry Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-29, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:24:p:8470-:d:703044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Saverio Ferraro & Alessandra Cantini & Leonardo Leoni & Filippo De Carlo, 2023. "Sustainable Logistics 4.0: A Study on Selecting the Best Technology for Internal Material Handling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, April.
    2. Chiara Martini & Claudia Toro, 2022. "Special Issue “Industry and Tertiary Sectors towards Clean Energy Transition”," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-5, June.
    3. Carlos Herce & Chiara Martini & Claudia Toro & Enrico Biele & Marcello Salvio, 2024. "Energy Efficiency Policies for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-34, January.

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