The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility of reducing to zero the use of
fossil resources in a typical northern Italian region (Piedmont), and the
Alessandria province was taken as case study. First, the present energetic
situation was assessed (base scenario), then an ideal scenario where
renewable sources and energy saving were maximized was devised,
neglecting the economic aspects. In both cases the analysis focused on five
main sectors: residential, private and commercial tertiary, industry and
agriculture, while transportation was discarded. Although in the ideal
scenario any economic or technological restriction was eliminated, the
energetic self-sufficiency based on renewable resources was unattainable.
The carbon footprint of some refurbishment strategies to be applied to the
tertiary sector in the ideal scenario was assessed via LCA and the CO2-eq
payback time calculated.

energy efficiency; energy policy; carbon payback time; renewable energy