Energy consumption
[GRI - 102-29],
[GRI - 103-3],
[GRI - 201-2],
[GRI - 302-1],
[GRI - 302-2],
[GRI - 302-3],
[GRI - 305-1],
[GRI - 308-1],
[GRI - 308-2],
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Total energy consumption amounts to approximately 12,990 TJ, with a very slight increase compared to 2021 (+4%). Net of energy sold, con- sumption stood at 9,892 TJ; the details are illustrated in Table no. 62.
The increases in production are attributable to several factors that occur during production, for example less rainfall resulted in the higher energy expenditure of the pumping systems used by the water companies and activities involving the use of vehicles returned to full capacity during the year after the slowdowns caused by the pandemic. The increased consumption of biogas relates to the entry of Deco into the reporting scope.
Electricity consumption of the main Companies, particularly connected to the distribution of drinking and non-drinking water, treatment, waste management plants and internal consumption at work sites, originates from renewable sources with a Guarantee of Origin, for a total of approximately 350 GWh, which, despite the decrease on the previous year204, was equal to 48% of specific consumption (731.4 GWh) in 2022 (Table no. 62).
Table no. 62 – Energy consumption by source (2020-2022) (*)
| energy per source | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TJ (GWh) | |||
| SRF and pulper waste (waste-to-energy) – non-renewable share |
2,849.4 (791.5) |
2,770.1 (769.5) |
3,090.0 (769.5) |
|
biogas (100% renewable – waste management and water segment) |
420.8 (116.9) |
424.1 (117.8) |
453.2 (125.9) |
|
photovoltaic |
1.8 (0.5) |
1.0 (0.3) |
6.3 (1.7) |
|
GO electricity |
1,516.6 (421.3) |
1,498.5 (416.3) |
1,260.0 (350.0) |
|
total fuel and electricity consumption from renewable sources |
4,788.6 (1,330.2) |
4,693.8 (1,303.8) |
4,809.5 (1,336.0) |
|
SRF and pulper waste (waste-to-energy) – non-renewable share |
3,859.1 (1,072.0) |
3,659.0 (1,016.4) |
3,800.4 (1,055.7) |
|
methane (for electricity generation, district heating, processes, water area dryers and heating for offices) |
1,238.6 (344.1) |
1,331.6 (369.9) |
1,281.5 (356.0) |
|
diesel (for electricity generation, other uses, composting plants and road haulage) |
175.3 (48.7) |
176.0 (48.9) |
183.9 (51.1) |
|
LPG (heating, road haulage and processing) |
1.2 (0.3) |
2.1 (0.6) |
2.2 (0.6) |
|
petrol (road haulage) |
7.1 (2.0) |
18.0 (5.0) |
28.4 (7.9) |
|
LSC oil for process (disposal of Acque Industriali wastewater) |
2.0 (0.6) |
1,3 (0,4) |
0,0 (0,0) |
|
electrical energy losses on the distribution networks and transport |
1,076.8 (299.1) |
1,112.0 (308.9) |
1,161.1 (322.5) |
|
own use of electricity for the implementation of distribution and transmission activities |
128.9 (35.8) |
110.5 (30.7) |
104.2 (28.9) |
|
consumption for public lighting |
241.1 (67.0) |
242.4 (30.7) |
242.7 (67.4) |
| Non-GO electricity for internal use (water systems, environmental processes, laboratories and offices) |
1,154.6 (320.7) |
1,124.2 (312.3) |
1,373.1 (381.4) |
|
total fuel and electricity consumption from non-renewable sources |
7,884.7 (2,190.2) |
7,777.0 (2,160.3) |
8,177.5 (2,271.5) |
|
total fuel and electricity consumption |
12,673.3 (3,520.4) |
12,470.8 (3,464.1) |
12,987.0 (3,607.5) |
|
total energy sold |
3,429.2 (925.5) |
12,470.8 (3,464.1) |
3,095.5 (859.8) |
|
energy consumed |
9,244.2 (2,567.8) |
8,721.3 (2,422.6) |
9,891.5 (2,747.7) |
(*) Figures for the 2020-2021 two-year period have been adjusted for consolidation.
Note: data on energy produced by the companies’ plants, energy fed into the network and energy sold are illustrated in the Environmental Report (Products – Energy).
Table no. 63 shows the energy intensity indices. The public lighting indicators remain generally stable, while indicators regarding the water service reflect the low rainfall during the year which led to increased consumption for water collection/pumping and a lower quantity of water treated.
Table no. 63 – Energy intensity indices (2020-2022)
| Energy consumption intensity index | u.m. | 2020 | 2021 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
electricity consumed for public lighting per lamp |
TJ/lamp |
0.00106 |
0.00106 | 0.00105 |
|
total electricity consumed by Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5, Gori, AdF and Gesesa/ water issued into aqueduct systems |
TJ/Mm3 |
2.437 |
2.471 |
2.567 |
|
electrical energy consumed by Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5, Gori, AdF and Gesesa for sewer service and treatment/water treated |
TJ/Mm3 |
1.264 |
1.263 |
1.286 |
ENERGY CONSUMPTION ALONG THE SUPPLY CHAIN
Acea works to increase awareness and monitor its supply chain in relation to energy issues. Since 2015, it has monitored energy consumption, requesting a representative panel of the suppliers to fill out a specific questionnaire. In December 2022 the questionnaire was sent to 100 suppliers, the principal parties in terms of value of orders for the year. Thanks to the results from 47 of those contacted (equal to 31% of the total Acea expenditure for the procurement of goods/ services and works), the total energy consumption for all suppliers was estimated at approximately 342,372 GJ205. The questionnaire has included a specific section on water consumption (see the section Attention to water consumption, further on in the document).
204 Rising electricity prices in 2022 also led to a sharp increase in the cost of renewable electricity certificates, which are no longer affordable for some Group companies.
205 The figure is obtained by readjusting the consumption of respondents relative to the total purchased during the year.