ENERGIZE: Pioneering cooperative energy models for sustainable industrial parks
Guest/partner contributor
Posted on: 15 April 2025
The ENERGIZE project is fostering cooperative energy models that not only reduce emissions but also enhance energy efficiency and collaboration within industrial parks.
The ENERGIZE project is fostering cooperative energy models that not only reduce emissions but also enhance energy efficiency and collaboration within industrial parks.
The industrial sector, while a critical driver of Europe’s economy, remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
As the EU marches toward its net zero emissions by 2050 target, innovative approaches are required to address the unique challenges posed by industrial energy use.
The ENERGIZE initiative, spanning four EU regions, offers a pioneering solution and serves as a beacon for sustainable practices and energy transformation.
The challenge
Industrial zones across Europe represent a significant share of global energy consumption, accounting for 37% of energy use and contributing roughly one-quarter of global energy-related CO2 emissions. While incremental improvements have been made in energy efficiency and renewable energy integration, progress remains slow.
Barriers such as regulatory constraints, limited cooperation frameworks and a lack of awareness about the benefits of energy communities hinder the adoption of effective solutions.
Industrial parks, often characterised by fragmented operations and isolated energy systems, struggle to implement collaborative approaches. This is where the ENERGIZE project steps in, addressing these challenges head-on by promoting cooperative energy models tailored to industrial settings.
The solution
ENERGIZE is a groundbreaking initiative that demonstrates the feasibility of creating industrial renewable energy communities (IRECs) in four carefully selected regions: Manresa in Spain, Valsesia in Italy, Zlín in the Czech Republic and Upper Austria.
These regions were chosen for their significant industrial activity and potential for energy synergies.
The project deploys an innovative framework, combining technology, collaboration, and education:
- Digital hub: A centralised platform that provides access to resources, facilitates collaboration, and hosts training programmes for stakeholders interested in cooperative energy models.
- Acceleration programme: A structured training and mentorship initiative designed to build capacity among businesses and stakeholders, equipping them with the skills needed to adopt and sustain energy collaboration models.
- Circular practices: Integration of renewable energy projects, energy sharing and resource optimisation within industrial parks to reduce emissions and promote sustainability.
By leveraging these tools, ENERGIZE fosters energy cooperation, enabling businesses to share resources, reduce costs and collectively transition toward cleaner energy systems.
The impact
The ENERGIZE project delivers tangible benefits that extend beyond its initial implementation:
● Environmental gains: A projected reduction of 930tCO2eq during the project, scaling up to 4,500tCO2eq annually within five years, directly contributing to the EU's climate goals.
● Economic contributions: Creation of four full-time equivalent jobs during the project and 40 jobs within five years. Additionally, the project anticipates €10 million in sustainable energy investments, boosting local economies.
● Energy efficiency: Significant savings, including 8GWh/year in primary energy, 3.4GWh/year in final energy and renewable energy generation of 3GWh/year.
● Stakeholder engagement: Training programmes for 400 individuals, direct support for 100 companies and outreach to 1,000 stakeholders through events and campaigns.
The ENERGIZE project has faced and addressed several key challenges:
● Regulatory barriers: By crafting and adapting policies that enable energy sharing within industrial parks, ENERGIZE has created a framework for cooperative energy practices.
● Stakeholder engagement: The project’s inclusive approach – combining digital tools, in-person mentorship and structured programmes – has built trust and fostered collaboration among diverse participants.
● Scalability: Through its four pilot regions, ENERGIZE has developed and tested five replicable business models, ensuring that its framework can be adapted to other regions and contexts.
These experiences highlight the importance of collaboration, adaptability and stakeholder engagement in achieving sustainable energy goals.
Call to action
The ENERGIZE project invites policymakers, industrial leaders and energy professionals to join the movement toward sustainable energy cooperation.
By participating in the ENERGIZE digital hub, stakeholders gain access to state-of-the-art tools, resources and training materials designed to facilitate the transition to cooperative energy models.
Learn more about the ENERGIZE project and explore opportunities to collaborate by visiting the ENERGIZE project website.
About the author
Tommaso Ferrucci, Project Engineer at EnGreen, is a sustainability and energy systems expert with extensive experience in fostering cooperative energy models. As a key contributor to the ENERGIZE project, he is dedicated to advancing practical and impactful solutions for sustainable industrial energy use.
