Italian utility Eni has launched a national energy efficiency campaign aimed at helping the region's average four-person families to save up to E1,600 per year and reduce their energy bill by up to 30% per year.
<p>Eni said that that the 24 suggestions outlined by the campaign will also reduce Italy's emissions by more than 50 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, cutting the country's deficit compared to Kyoto Protocol targets by more than half. <br /><br />Eni's program involves making small adjustments to daily activities such as transport, heating, home lighting and use of household appliances. The campaign is based on a study which enables consumers to calculate the actual value of every single action and quantify the related saving. <br /><br />Eni hopes that, through a program of education and information, it will be able to raise Italians' awareness of energy saving and environmental sustainability. The campaign is also intended to act as a catalyst to involve also other economic, industrial and social companies in a debate on energy efficiency.<br /><br />Eni also outlined plans to invest E350 million into researching renewable energies over the next four years, concentrating on biofuels and solar energy. <br /><br />In solar energy, Eni will focus on the development of organic materials and nanotechnologies able to outpace today's relatively inefficient photovoltaic technologies. <br /><br />Eni is also going to focus on producing high-yield, environmentally friendly biofuels from traditional crops and on selecting fast-growing plants for energy use. In addition, Eni will look at developing technologies based on micro-organisms such as phytoplancton, micro-seaweed and bacteria, producing a new generation of high-yield, environmentally friendly biofuels.</p>