Innovative approaches to energy efficiency benchmarking in the wine sector

The wine industry, a key sector for the European Union's economy, exhibits significant energy consumption, amounting to approximately 1,750 million kWh annually within this geographic context, with major contributions from Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. Improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy are critical steps to align with the EU's 2050 strategy goals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our research introduces an innovative method to foster energy efficiency in the wine industry, focusing on the benchmarking of Energy Performance Indicators (EnPIs). It facilitates the evaluation and monitoring of wineries’ performances over time, allowing for comparisons with similar entities. The methodology categorizes wineries into eleven distinct reference models based on their process types, enhancing the understanding of energy use. Additionally, three “outsourcing” indices are introduced to identify significant energy consumption in key production stages. Designed for simplicity, the methodology requires only basic input and product output data, which are readily available to companies. The proposed approach was validated through a survey of 20 Italian wineries, ranging from small producers to large-scale operations. A specially-developed data collection form was used to gather relevant data, and the results revealed important limitations in methods that rely solely on EnPIs for energy performance benchmarking. Such methods may lead to inaccurate conclusions without a deeper understanding of energy use related to specific production processes. The categorization and outsourcing indices introduced in this study enable a more comprehensive analysis of energy consumption, offering insights beyond traditional EnPI-based evaluations. Interestingly, some companies initially perceived as efficient exhibited critical performance issues, highlighting the need for further analysis. Correlation analyses confirmed the robustness and efficacy of the proposed methodology, demonstrating its potential to significantly support stakeholders in improving sustainability practices. This innovative approach not only facilitates internal energy performance improvements but also supports the establishment of certification standards in the wine sector, promoting the sharing of best practices. Furthermore, the proposed model serves as an essential tool for companies, decision-makers, and stakeholders aiming to enhance sustainability and align with environmental goals, while providing valuable insights for certification boards.