Chapter 317 - Municipal Energy Planning — Palermo as a Case Study

Abstract

This chapter discusses municipal energy planning. The development of the municipal energy plan in Palermo, Sicily, its findings and the consequent action plan is described in the chapter. It discusses some results and initiatives for changing of the city's energy system as well as the leading role of the local gas utility whose deep involvement made the successful unfolding of several initiatives possible. The possibility of transforming a constraint into a resource is discussed in the case of an innovative local energy utility and appropriate national legislation. Moreover, local energy utilities may get more easily than the municipal administration the necessary skill and the capability for developing a strategy leading to a change of the municipal energy system. Sale of final energy services, on the other hand, gives the local energy utilities the chance to offer to its customers a more diversified product and at higher added value, repositioning them in the energy market and giving them more chances in the very hard fight with large energy companies.