The SUPER-HEERO crowdfunding platform will let people directly invest in the energy retrofitting of their supermarkets. Consumers will have a double benefit: economical profits from the investment and environmental results from the reduction of the energy consumption of the supermarket.

Niccolò Elia Sovico from Ener2Crowd is the SUPER-HEERO crowdfunding platform coordinator. His role involves the setup and coordination of the upcoming crowdfunding platform of SUPER-HEERO, where consumers and supermarkets will find each other in a very simple way, combining financing and environmental benefits for each side.

What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?

The Great Organized Distribution is a high energy demand sector and with the SUPER-HEERO project, we expect to find the best technical and financial solution for decarbonizing this field. SUPER-HEERO project can be one of the best projects in Europe and create an innovative solution for a sector that is still clinging to the past.

What is the main role of E2C in SUPER-HEERO?

Ener2Crowd is the leader in sustainable investments and our role is to develop a specific crowdfunding platform for the GDO customers and to find innovative financial solutions suitable for the energy retrofitting of the supermarkets.

Can you talk a bit more about the crowdfunding platform that you have created for the project?

The platform automatically lets people directly invest in the energy retrofitting of their supermarket. People can take to the opportunity proposed and invest in form of a loan in the project starting from a minimum investment equal to 100€. The process is very easy and fast: register, open a wallet and invest. The aim is to involve people who can get a double benefit from their trusted supermarket: an economical benefit from the investment and an environmental benefit deriving from the reduction of the energy consumption of the supermarket.

Why do you consider such a platform as needed and how do you think it could benefit society as a whole?

During the COVID pandemic, people used their trusted supermarkets as their sole socializing place. Supermarkets became the only moment where people could talk to each other physically. With Climate Change and with the SUPER-HEERO crowdfunding platform, the supermarket can become a small part of the energy transition process and people can take part in it. Supermarkets can share the benefit of the energy retrofitting of the building directly with their customers making their customers themselves a fundamental part of their decarbonizing process.

What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?

The SUPER-HEERO project will create a standard for the GDO field letting people be part of the decarbonizing process of this sector. We hope that this attitude will become common in whole the supermarkets.

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We expect that energy efficiency strategies would unlock potential energy savings over 40%. Just think of how much energy would be saved if we replicate this in all the supermarkets in Europe and across the world. – Interview with R2M Solution

Thomas Messervey, from R2M Solution, is the SUPER-HEERO coordinator. His role involves not only leading and arranging all the administrative tasks, as well as coordinating all the partners tasks, but also ensuring that all the work is aligned and the results are maximized.

What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?

We believe that this project is a great opportunity to enable supermarkets to achieve energy efficiency and we expect to replicate the model we will develop in other sectors which struggle to attract private finance. The impact will not only be at environmental level but will also create more awareness in customers and develop small communities focussed on how to reduce energy consumption. The implementation in the two case studies included in the project will enable us to monitor and assess the model implemented, providing real examples of what can be achieved through co-operation and technology deployment. We also expect that we can help supermarkets think different and open relationships with supermarkets in our local areas of operation.

What is the main role of R2M Solution in SUPER-HEERO?

R2M Solution is the project coordinator of SUPER-HEERO. Together with our partners we are working on new business models built on innovative financing schemes that incentivize supermarkets to work collectively with their communities on energy efficiency and the climate targets associated with that. We want to see the intersection of loyalty programs, innovative energy efficiency technologies, crowdfunding, local energy communities and renewables in the supermarket space.

Can you talk a bit about the digital smart meters and energy management platform that you are bringing into the project? What would be the main benefits of using them??

In most cases, smart energy meters send data through power line communication. That means the data goes over the distribution network and the implication is that the data is not available in real time. One must wait for the network operator to send that data to the energy supplier who then bills the client and this billing cycle is often every 60 days. This prohibits everything one can do with real time data. The digital smart meter we bring to the project communicates redundantly over multiple wireless networks, is fiscally certified and is integrated with blockchain software. This does several things, it provides real time data access, it can be used for billing, and it enables energy trading or energy sharing within a local energy community. For example, if the solar system on a supermarket roof distributes 60% of its energy to the supermarket and 40% to the condominium across the street as part of a local energy community, our meter makes possible the measurements and associated billing for such transactions.  This incentivizes distributed generation, greater use of renewable energy technologies, and increased participation in local energy communities. Local renewable energy doesn’t have to travel over distribution networks (losses) and isn’t produced by fossil fuels (sustainability).

 What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?

At the macro-level, achieving energy efficiency and consumption reduction through the new innovative business financing schemes developed by the project in a sector like supermarkets can have a huge impact. We expect that energy efficiency strategies would unlock potential energy savings over 40%.  Just think of how much energy would be saved if we replicate this in all the supermarkets in Europe and across the world.

For our business, we see Super Heero as a perfect example of what R2M set out to do. To bring innovation to buildings and communities for a more sustainable planet. The most important outcome for R2M in this project will be relationships with supermarket energy managers with whom we can develop win-win solutions for the supermarket, its local communities, and the climate.

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I expect SUPER-HEERO to involve customers, raise their awareness (…) and give them the chance to play an active role in the transition to a low-carbon economy – Interview with Tándem Franquicias

Jaime Beltrán, from Tándem Franquicias, is in charge of engaging Spanish supermarkets as pilots in the SUPER-HEERO project. This involves the first approach as well as the maintenance of an active collaboration. Jaime and his colleagues from Tándem also lead the advertising campaign held by supermarkets to raise awareness about their involvement in the project.

What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?

Our main expectations are to implement, together with the other consortium partners, energy efficiency strategies and unlock the potential of energy savings in the retail sector. We also expect to learn from our fellow partners and expand our know how.

We think boosting energy transition processes in supermarkets can materialize in great economic, social and environmental gains. Having in mind that supermarkets operate with a very tight margin and energy accounts between a 10%-15% of the total operating cost, the potential of this project is huge.

What is the main role of TANDEM in SUPER-HEERO?

TANDEM is the facility manager of the SUPER-HEERO pilots that are being developed in Spain. We will lead the pilot activities in collaboration with the supermarket chain DIA, one of the biggest supermarket chains in Spain with over 3,000 supermarkets across the country.

We are very happy that supermarket chains such as DIA and COVIRAN, with thousands of units across Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Brasil have decided to participate in the project and we hope they will serve as models for other supermarket chains to get involved in the project.

Can you talk a bit about the work you are planning to do on the engagement of Spanish supermarkets as pilot sites?

Part of our main activities within the SUPER-HEERO project will be to implement a crowdfunding scheme to support energy efficiency renovation, support our consortium partners in all the activities held in the pilot units and advertise and promote the SUPER-HEERO project among the customers visiting the pilot units.

Last, but not least, we will also collaborate with the project consortium in the replication of SUPER-HEERO across Spain and Europe.

 What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?

We hope to demonstrate that operating costs of supermarket chains can be reduced by implementing energy efficiency measures based on crowdfunding and loyalty schemes.

In addition, we hope to involve customers, raise their awareness about environmental issues and the importance of energy efficiency, and give them the chance to play an active role in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

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I expect SUPER-HEERO to demonstrate that […] energy efficiency, in any sector, venue or realm, can be greatly enhanced if everyone contributes. – Interview with Sustainable Innovations

Ana Martinez, Communications Manager at Sustainable Innovations (SIE), is in charge of the SUPER-HEERO communication and knowledge dissemination. This involves the development of a Communication Plan and the implementation of all the communication activities that ensure the project reaches all the relevant stakeholders. Ana and her colleagues from Sustainable Innovations (SIE) also lead the exploitation part, which aims to obtain an innovative business model strategy to encourage the maintenance and the dissemination of the SUPER-HEERO financial ecosystem after the project.

What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?

SUPER-HEERO is a very tangible project that, if proven successful, could exponentially accelerate energy efficiency in the retail sector. We aim to help leverage innovative financial schemes to boost energy efficiency to an extent that becomes replicable at larger scales and in a wide range of stores. The project needs to engage very different stakeholders, from a general public that corresponds to the supermarket customers, to supermarket employees, technical providers and energy suppliers. This makes it necessary for the communication to target different audiences and ensure each of them understands the benefits that the project can offer them.

What is the main role of Sustainable Innovations (SIE) in SUPER-HEERO?

Our role is, on the one hand, to maximise the project’s reach through targeted communications and, on the other, to enable future exploitation of the project results to their full potential by disseminating them among the relevant stakeholders who will use and implement them.

This involves the elaboration of a comprehensive communication plan, the preparation of the project’s corporate image and a set of materials for promotion and dissemination

Can you talk a bit about the work you are planning to do on the communication, dissemination and exploitation of SUPER-HEERO?

At Sustainable Innovations (SIE) are responsible for the communication plan, as well as for coordinating all the multi-platform communication and dissemination activities, such as the elaboration of promotional materials, the creation and update of the project website, the management of the social media networks, the launch of the newsletter, etc. At the earliest stages of the project, we designed its visual guidelines and identity, establishing a series of guidelines to be followed in all the communication materials. We set up the project’s website and the social media channels, which we have since then kept updated with a constant flow of information and news.

As a next step, we are planning to host a round table with the different pilot supermarkets to define the best advertising campaign to promote their involvement in the project and the activities they are carrying out related to it.

Last, but not least, we are responsible for leading the development of an innovative business model strategy to encourage the maintenance and dissemination of the SUPER-HEERO financial ecosystem after the project. We will analyse the most profitable scenarios to cover the cost linked to the system after the project and provide a conceptual framework with which to think through the possible opportunities of the SUPE-RHEERO project.

What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?

One of the main outcomes I expect from SUPER-HEERO revolves around the involvement of such a wide range of stakeholders, and especially the engagement of citizens and local communities, that will work together towards the EU’s energy-saving targets for 2030. Empowering citizens to take an active part in the energy transition in such a tangible venue as supermarkets will raise awareness about energy efficiency and potentially extend this to additional realms, triggering further investments and measures in other sectors. Thus, I expect SUPER-HEERO not only to demonstrate that it is possible another way to boost energy efficiency in supermarkets, but to prove that energy efficiency, in any sector, venue or real, can be greatly enhanced if everyone contributes.

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Q. Daniela, what are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?

A. I hope to achieve three main outcomes:

• To involve real and committed stakeholders during the project development, with them we will have the capability to accomplish what I think it’s our grates goal, which is the reduction of the Supermarkets energy consumption by 40%.
• To really impact on the way customers, look at supermarkets, by informing and involving them in the actions and plans that super markets are developing to achieve and reduce their impact on the environment.
• To deliver a project in which all the parties involved can create a network of similar goals, and to deliver real replicable financing schemes where all of them participate con achieve their individual and collective goals.

Q. Ana, could you describe the main role of ZERO-E-ENGINEERING in SUPER-HEERO?

A. Our main role is as work package leaders for WP3, task 3.4 leaders and Tasks 4.3 and 4.4 leader. This leadership represent a great opportunity for Zero-E to upstand and show our knowledge and expertise in different fields, from Web platform creation to Circular economy and financial assessment, where our team has great experience working in pasts and ongoing EU projects.

Q. Daniela, can you talk a bit about the work you are planning to develop on energy assessment, socio-economic and circular economy analysis, of the models developed in SUPER-HEERO and its application at the Pilot Sites?

A. We will develop an energy assessment through an energy and exergy analysis (exoergonomic methodology) that will evaluate all the resources, inputs and outputs of the SUPER-HEERO systems, also the energy balances, exergy balances, costs, etc. which will allow to optimize energy use in the pilot sites.

Likewise, we will carry out a socio-economic and circular analysis through in-depth research of each equipment and process involved in the project, where the recyclability of the equipment can be evaluated to define the best route that allows us to close the life cycle of the project. The social assessments will be developed through surveys, interviews, and research, where it will be possible to quantify the social impact of the project on all stakeholders.

Q. Daniela, what do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?

A. This project will give a real overview of the action’s supermarkets and ESCOs can take to improve how they connect with each other; it will also prove that customers can support and impulse the change and be aware of the process that takes for the goods they purchase to be available for them.

In the other hand, technical outcomes are that the project can achieve the goal of saving 40% of energy consumption to prove that all the measures that we´re developing and are going to be implemented really work and can be replicated in other countries and sectors.

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Q. What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?

A. SUPER-HEERO is a really ambitious project which happened at a very delicate moment. The Covid-19 situation has put under mayor stress the food retail sector during several months, and the supermarket owners and workers became our personal “superheroes” during the pandemic. Now, they have the capability to become climate change heroes too.

I have had the honour to follow SUPER-HEERO since the very beginning. The project offers a ground-breaking change of perspective and dialogue among the supermarkets actors (customers, owners and energy managers, technology manufacturers): my expectation is to establish and demonstrate the profitability of the virtuous cycle consisting in financial schemes for supermarkets owners and technology providers, loyalty programs and rewards for customers and energy efficiency renovation actions.

Q. What is the main role of RINA in SUPER-HEERO?

A. RINA is the second industrial player in Europe regarding number of H2020 projects participation. We have now over 187 ongoing H2020 projects and our roles are several and yet very relevant as we try to involve most of our business units which are experts on their field. In SUPER-HEERO we are working in two key areas: the management of energy efficiency renovations actions in the supermarkets (which goes from the definition of solutions, engagement of local manufacturers and distributors, EPC drafting and implementation at the supermarkets) and in the technical area related to the selection of innovative technologies for the supermarkets, drafting of high-level design, perform energy audits and plan the implementation at the supermarket sites.
We are the leaders for the Work Package “Energy efficiency renovation actions for supermarkets”, which aims to define the most relevant and easy replicable energy efficiency measures in the different supermarkets which are participating in the project, taking into consideration the type of services they offer and their building typology, the equipment already in place, the energy demand and the renovation needs. As part of the project, we will also perform energy audits and install smart meters. The identified energy efficiency measures will be promoted via SUPER-HEERO financing schemes.

While I am in charge of the management, the technical activities are led by Giorgio Bonvicini from Environment & Climate Change unit and Carlo Macciò from Industrial Design & CAE unit.

Q. Can you talk a bit about the work you are planning to do on energy efficiency renovation actions for supermarkets?

A. We have already defined a catalogue of solutions that are relevant for supermarket renovations, that can be downloaded in this link. At this moment in RINA Consulting we are busy working on energy audits, from which we will have a better estimate on the energy demand and potentialities for each site. They will be the starting point of energy performance contracting (EPC) and high-level design at the sites (the latter also in charge of RINA Consulting). The implementation of the measures at each site will also be one of RINA Consulting key roles in the project.

Q. What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?

A. Validating energy efficiency improvements that can be obtained through non-traditional financing methods and loyalty schemes. RINA is enthusiastic to support this implementation and we hope that SUPER-HEERO will open the doors for replication in many other supermarkets around Europe and the World!

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Paolo Michele Sonvilla, Senior Manager of Consulting Department at Creara, is in charge of overseeing the Creara’s team work in SUPER-HEERO. He speaks on this interview about their main role in the project, their expectations and the work they will carry out on the implementation of Energy Performance Contract schemes at pilot sites.

Q. What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?

A. Our expectation is to learn from our consortium partners and together with them develop more sustainable services for supermarkets, which represent an important share of Creara’s customers.

Q. What is the main role of CREARA in SUPER-HEERO?

A. Our role is to undertake the legal and financial assessment of the energy performance business models developed by the consortium, and to eventually coordinate the implementation of the demonstration pilots across all the partner countries.

Q. Can you talk a bit about the work you are planning to do on the implementation of Energy Performance Contract schemes at pilot sites?

A. Energy Performance Contracts are contractual arrangements between the beneficiary and the provider of an energy efficiency improvement measure, verified and monitored during the whole term of the contract, where investments are paid for in relation to contractually agreed level of energy efficiency improvement or other agreed energy efficiency criterion, such as financial savings. There are two major performance contracting models: shared savings and guaranteed savings, although these two models can be adapted to practically each situation. To decide what model fits better in each pilot site, we will perform an energy assessment and analyse their energy bills to identify the most remunerative and techno-economically viable interventions. Once we have this information, it will be possible to apply the most suitable EPC contract.

Q. What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?

A. I believe that we will demonstrate that it is possible to achieve energy efficiency goals in supermarkets by involving their customer base in the overall business model.

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Giovanni Vicentini, technical officer from the Municipality of Padova’s Environment and Territory Department, is responsible for the design and implementation of the SUPER-HEERO pilot case study in Padova and for the definition of a strategy for supermarket customer awareness-raising in energy, environmental and social topics. He speaks on this interview about their main role in the SUPER-HEERO project, their expectations and the work they will carry out on the engagement of Italian supermarkets as pilot sites.

Q. What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?
A. The issue of the energy refurbishment of commercial buildings and of supermarkets has always remained a residual aspect compared to other types of buildings. The activity of the Municipality has always focused on residential and public buildings. Through this project, the Municipality wants to identify and experiment with new solutions to promote energy efficiency actions and the production of energy from renewable sources in the Large-scale Distribution sector. Considering the total amount of CO2 emissions, tertiary buildings represent almost one fifth. It is crucial to involve the stakeholders to help them in defining a clear path towards sustainability.

Q. What is the main role of the Municipality of Padova in SUPER-HEERO?
A. The Municipality of Padova has a long-standing and strong experience in participatory processes, which has been conducting for over twenty years as part of the Local Agenda21 process. Within the SUPER-HEERO project, we expect to develop guidelines to facilitate the involvement of citizens in actions aimed at supermarkets in the city, increasing sensibility on environmental, economic, and social sustainability issues. New communication and information tools will be developed to connect supermarkets and their customers, with the aim of creating local communities that promote locally virtuous actions.

Q. Can you talk a bit about the work you are planning to do on the engagement of Italian supermarkets as pilot sites?
A. The Municipality started a recruitment campaign in the summer of 2020, involving all supermarkets with at least 1 store in the City. In September 2020, supermarkets that expressed an interest in the project and its purposes (five supermarkets representing over 40 stores in Padova and many others at regional level) were invited to a workshop and had the opportunity to present their experience on the issue of energy refurbishment. Many of them appointed an energy manager who follows environmental issues. In these cases, the interaction is very facilitated. The Municipality presented the project and the services that can be offered, highlighting the technical and dissemination advantages that participation in the project could have guaranteed. In autumn 2020, a questionnaire was prepared to understand more precisely on which aspects to focus the collaboration. A memorandum of understanding is being signed; the protocol aims to define the commitments and the objectives of cooperation. In 2021, the practical part of the project will come to life, with the direct involvement of supermarkets, the analysis of data and the launch of pilot actions.

Q. What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?
A. The Municipality of Padova would like to create a replicable scheme and model to implement it in other supermarkets and other commercial activities in the area. The project is one of the main tools included in the SECAP (Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan) to reduce the energy consumption of the sector. The activation of collaboration paths between supermarkets and citizens can also result in a new model of local development based on neighborhood services, from the establishment of new energy communities to the provision of tools to encourage virtuous behaviors (charging points for electric cars, eco-compactors, distributors of tap water, etc.). Finally, the main ambition of the Municipality is to continue the awareness campaign, broadening the perspective to “green” purchases and the life cycle of products.

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Gabriele Fregonese, from SINLOC – Sistema Iniziative Locali SpA, speaks on this interview about the main role of SINLOC in the SUPER-HEERO project, their expectations and the work they will carry out on defining innovative business models to boost supermarkets’ energy efficiency measures.

Q. Q. What are your expectations from the SUPER-HEERO project?
A. We expect the SUPER-HEERO project to identify and define innovative ways of thinking and developing energy efficiency investments for the supermarkets and, through the supermarkets, for the various stakeholders that can be reached by the supermarkets.

Q. What is the main role of SINLOC in SUPER-HEERO?
A. Sinloc is responsible for Work Package 1, aiming at defining innovative financial instruments and business models to make supermarkets and their consumers realize energy efficiency renovation of buildings. We will bring our expertise in financial modelling and in the energy efficiency sector to structure these new schemes that will boost investments by the private sector. In particular, one of the pillars of the project is to exploit the supermarket role in Local Communities and the fidelity of their customers to widespread awareness and knowledge about the opportunities coming from energy efficiency.

Q. Can you talk a bit about the work you are planning to do on defining innovative business models to boost supermarkets’ energy efficiency measures?
A. We are currently working on two fronts. On one side, we are assessing innovative ways to allow the supermarkets undertake energy renovation of the buildings, for examples through Energy Performance Contracts or technology leasing or rent. This will also be done in accordance to the technical analysis carried out by other partners. On the other side, we are assessing possible ways for the supermarkets to promote energy efficiency investments among their customers and the local communities. For example, we are studying crowdfunding models based on the supermarkets reward and loyalty programs, where customers can use their “loyalty points” to contribute to an energy efficiency investment and get a rebate as a reward. These investments could be even made on local public buildings in the areas around the supermarket in order to have also a direct environmental impact on their neighbourhoods. This is one of the reasons why the Municipality of Padova is involved as a partner, to establish a link between the supermarkets, the citizens and the local community in general.
This work is still ongoing, as we are now in a “brainstorming” phase and we need to discuss our ideas directly with the supermarkets that will be involved in the project in order to check the concrete feasibility of the solutions as well as the economics of the schemes.

Q. What do you think will be the main outcomes of the SUPER-HEERO project?
A. One of the main outcomes of the project will be the definition of a new approach to increase awareness among citizens and local communities towards the importance of energy efficiency and to involve them in the transition process. Supermarkets are in general very sensitive to environmental and climate issue and they usually adopt a corporate responsibility protocol to show the customers they care about these topics. With the SUPER-HEERO project, we expect the supermarkets to go a little bit further by promoting new initiatives in the energy efficiency sector and, most of all, involve also their customers in these initiatives. We think this could be a key success factor to increase awareness and to trigger investments in the private sector, which are essential to achieve EU’s energy savings targets for 2030.

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