Modena Energy and Sustainable Development Agency

The Modena Energy and Sustainable Development Agency (AESS) is a non-profit association that was founded in Modena in 1999. The agency works towards the sustainable energy development of its territory and currently gathers more than 160 public bodies as members, including small and large municipalities, provinces, universities, in-house companies, and associations, mostly located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. 

Activities 

AESS is primarily involved in supporting public institutions in the energy transition through activities including the following:  

• Promoting renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and the reduction of energy consumption 

• Fundraising for adequate resources for its associates 

• Organising information campaigns and capacity building 

• Carrying out energy audits and certifications of buildings 

• Carrying out feasibility studies on energy redevelopment and renewable energy development projects 

• Providing advice to local authorities on energy planning and the tools that regulate it 

• Drawing up tender specifications for the implementation of “Energy performance contracts” in the management of heating systems in public buildings 

• Working on the development of public lighting. 

Projects 

The agency is involved in a wide range of projects at the European level, having partnered in over 50 since 1999. Examples of its projects include:  

• The EU Covenant of Mayors Sustainable Energy and Climate Plans.  

• CITIZEN LED RENOVATION – Helping empower energy communities for sustainable renovation 

• PLAN4CET – Improving energy transition planning at the local and regional level 

• Top condominiums – Energy efficiency in the residential sector of the E-R Region 

• AT LAST – Accelerating the transition of local authorities through support and training 

• Chairing the Italian Association of Energy Agencies, RENAEL, since 2021.