The two new scientific articles, published by the RenOnBill partner UNIGE on the journal Energy, presents respectively a methodology to effectively address the evaluation of building energy retrofitting projects in a highly uncertain context and an in-depth description of on-bill mechanisms, that can be considered a valid tool to support energy renovation in the residential sector, but need to be tailored to the different contexts.
The first one, Supporting energy efficiency measures in the residential sector. The case of on-bill schemes, proposes an in-depth description of on-bill mechanisms, their possible frameworks, the barriers to their implementation as well as the impact they may have on the core business of utilities. The study is based on a review of the existing literature integrated with the results of on-field interviews and discussions with the aim to obtain a full picture of on-bill schemes in a European replication perspective. Methodologically, the paper is based on structured desk research and on-field feedback obtained from selected stakeholders. Additionally, a SWOT analysis is developed highlighting that on-bill schemes may result very convenient for power utilities and energy retailers. Furthermore, on-bill schemes can help to address the issue of the split incentives. In conclusion, on-bill schemes can be considered a valid tool to support energy renovation in the residential sector, but they do not represent a global solution since their application is not tailored for all the contexts.
The second one, Financial and energy performance analysis of efficiency measures in residential buildings. A probabilistic approach, presents a methodology to effectively address the evaluation of building energy retrofitting projects in a highly uncertain context. By using the Monte Carlo approach, the proposed method can address the influence of more than thirty important parameters on the final result in terms of energy savings, Net Present Value and other indices aimed to quantify the level of risk associated to complex energy efficiency interventions. The methodology is then tested on a case study related to a building built in the ‘60s and located in Rome, Italy.