CPL CONCORDIA Group Newsletter

Seeing things in a new lightLEDs, flow reducers, remote control and safety: as well as enhancing the natural and architectural heritage, the new public lighting system completed in San Benedetto del Tronto, in the Italian province of Ascoli Piceno, is also accompanied by savings on power bills

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NOT JUST WARMTH, COOPGAS OFFERS LIGHT TOO - up and running since April, the Coopgas Gas & Electricity Service supplies its customers with both natural gas and electricity

ISCHIA AND PROCIDA, SAME SERVICE FOR ISLAND COMMUNITIES - with work now underway on the second undersea pipeline from Bacoli to Procida, guided by an environmentally-led approach

IN THIS ISSUE

ON THE ROAD WITH CPL - maintenance work has begun at all pay stations along the A22 Brenner motorway in Italy

Year XI - Issue n. 1 March 2013

40

Leading articLe 2

Good opportunities abroad. In CPL (and in Italy), looking to new overseas horizons is an overly recurring theme, which - while not necessarily meaning abandoning Italy - is indicative of a need to uncover new opportunities and a different future for the company.CPL possesses an extraordinary wealth of expertise and experience, in all areas of the gas industry, as well as in renewable energy and energy efficiency areas. All the other countries worldwide have either adapted, or are in the midst of adapting, their power programmes to establish renewable energy as the fundamental energy source for the decades to come. Therefore, while we remain seriously committed to maintaining our position within the domestic market, growth of the company abroad requires us to work on certain aspects, such as innovation, size, and culture. So, during 2012, we set up CPL INDUSTRIAL, grouping together CPL’s strategic sectors with a view to optimising and facilitating the sale of not just services, but also products, aimed at new channels and sales

CPL’s future abroad? It goes by the name of CPL IndustrialA LOOk AT THE INTERNATIONALISATION PROCESS CURRENTLy UNDERWAy WITHIN CPL CONCORDIA GROUP, WITH AN OUTLINE OF THE STRATEGIC STEPS TAkEN SO FAR AND THOSE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE. AN ExPLORATION OF THE WAy IN WHICH CPL SETS DOWN ROOTS, OUR ATTENTION TO PARTNERSHIPS AND THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS, AS WELL AS OUR INCREASING FOCUS ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN NEW MARkETS

networks in Italy and abroad.This includes the NG sector, which relates to products and services for natural gas distribution networks, the NL sector (concerning natural liquefied gas), the Oil & Gas and Power sector for the O&G service industry, and the ICT sector, our across-the-board cloud sector, which links all the CPL sectors, developing IT applications to support project management and maintenance. The ICT expertise at CPL has also enabled us to enter the electricity metering and analysis market in the U.S., starting with an energy efficiency platform in New York.Our road map for overseas expansion was charted out starting with the reasons why the CPL sectors are of interest to these various countries, alongside an examination of the evolving regulatory and incentive schemes that either exist or are being introduced virtually everywhere. The innovative approach to energy saving pioneered by President Obama in the United States, the demand for energy supply continuity in countries in the developing world, the significance of energy that justifies major investments in gas distribution and processing in Ghana, gas and electricity metering in Europe, incentive schemes for

by Michele Crivellari (mcrivellari@cpl.it), Managing Director, CPL Industrial

photovoltaics in Eastern Europe, and the development of gas networks in the Middle East are just some of the factors guiding us. Given that, every day and within every project, we are forced to take financial aspects increasingly into account, we are also further developing resources to concentrate on obtaining soft loans from international agencies (World Bank, EU Funds, Africa Development Bank, etc..). Analyzing both risk and certainty of payment is a key stage in the decision by CPL to participate in a project. With appropriate financial support, projects can proceed smoothly, quickly, and with greater guarantees. Our company’s decision to obtain ESCo (Energy Service Company) certification is a step in this direction.We intend to establish CPL operations in a specific, gradual manner. The areas on which we will be focussing in the short-to-medium term are North and Central America, Eastern Europe, the Gulf area, and certain African nations.The part of this internationalization activity which is taking up most of our attention at the moment is finding experienced industrial partners,

CPL CONCORDIA is associated with

Partner

C News – The quarterly newsletter brought to you by CPL CONCORDIA Group

Year XI - n.1, March 2013Registered with the Court of Modena on 26.05.2003 under n. 1673

Editor-in-chiefFRANCESCO MANICARDI

Leading articLe 3

who can appreciate CPL’s technology and expertise and the opportunity that joining forces would represent to them in terms of winning new market shares together. We could also “go it alone”, but the effort would be too great and unsustainable when applied to several countries at once. Having partners allows us to shorten our learning curve on the markets and countries, helping to bridge the gap between different cultures, languages, business practices, and customs. As our chairman Mr Casari often says, “It’s better to earn as many than to lose as one”.With the type of business we are in, we also need to be operational locally, we need to replicate the CPL Italia concept worldwide, with Production Areas that act independently when implementing projects. We must set down roots and remain in the countries of interest to us. “Hit and run” operations are simply not part of the company’s DNA (and this is a huge “pro” as far as market demand is concerned) and our insistence on putting down corporate roots reflects the professionalism and responsibility of what we do (a kind of performance guarantee) and results in job opportunities and skills transfer at local level.In certain nations where, despite a highly developed industrial fabric, the energy savings culture is still immature (such as the United States), we feel that we have an appreciable competitive edge based on our long-standing experience in energy efficiency and gas networks. The time for internalisation of the CPL sectors is now, or rather it is starting now, and we’re pushing hard for rapid trade and manufacturing measures,

because these markets will mature very quickly and within the next four to five years we will be seeing further, strong competition from experienced businesses and a cut-throat influence on markets. So, we are boosting research and development facilities to stimulate the technology innovation that is vital for the near future in all our sectors. Our aim is to be the technology incubator for new energy applications. One example is fuel for cogeneration, including one fuel which we think is set to be used worldwide and that is shale gas, i.e. natural gas obtained from clay. We are currently researching new applications for the use of this type of gas in engines, since the world’s reserves are estimated to last for over 200 years – in a moment reminiscent of the launch of natural gas, which has been pioneered by CPL in Italy since the 1960s. Another area where we are planning expansion is in ‘smart cities’, i.e. cities where communication, mobility, energy efficiency, and the environment are all interrelated since designed to interact in symbiosis.The Web will undoubtedly be of considerable help to us and the CPL Communication Department will soon be launching the new-look website, featuring more accessible content that is specifically tailored to our customers’ areas of operations (public authorities, engineering, multi-utilities, etc.). From now on, there will also be an English version of C-news. But the real quality and the most essential element of this intense plan lies in the human resources, without whom the expansion of CPL would not be possible. These staff members and their willingness to immerse themselves in another culture, where language is just one of the differences they will encounter, are indispensable, as are their openness

to other mentalities and customs and their desire to see CPL as a fully integrated element of another country. Each one of us has the difficult task of taking this opportunity and striving daily to ensure such opportunities repeat themselves in the coming years, so that CPL remains competitive on the world market.Summing up then, the strategy at CPL INDUSTRIAL is not carved in stone. It is dynamic. Whether you are colleagues, customers, or partners, you can help by sending us your comments and suggestions so that we can improve together.

This periodical is printed on environmentally friendly paper

EditorsGABRIELE BATTISTISAURO CORSIMARCO DAL DOSSOMARIO GUARNIERIEMANUELE MALAVASI

email: redazione@cpl.it

Design and layout TIPOLITO SALVIOLI - Cavezzo (MO)

Published byCPL CONCORDIA Soc. Coop. Via A. Grandi, 39 - 41033 Concordia S/Secchia, MOTel. 0535-616.111 Fax 0535-616.300Website: www.cpl.it

ABOUT US – CPL CONCORDIA GROUPCPL CONCORDIA is one of the major Italian cooperative groups and a leading player in the energy industry, both at domestic and international level. It has 1,600 employees worldwide and a consolidated turnover for 2013 of 470 million euros. The products and services offered by CPL CONCORDIA in the field of energy efficiency are the outcome of innovation and technological research and the result of a 50-year experience in the energy industry. CPL exports know-how through operations carried out abroad and offices located in Europe, Africa, Southamerica and Asia.

Its scope of activities covers heat management (global service and facility management), gas (construction, maintenance and management of natural gas and LPG networks), water, district heating, electric power, technological services (software, videosurveillance, domotics), gas metering products, renewables development and application.

CPL is an acronym for Cooperativa di Produzione Lavoro (Work Production Cooperative). Since 1899 our mission has been the creation of true work: work that is regulated, safe, enhancing the individual and his/her characteristics. Work that gives dignity to the individual while increasing professional skills and humanity. Work that becomes an asset for the territory. Work carried out at the best of our possibilities with seriousness, consistency and professionalism.

BUSINESS AREA4

The illuminated tower in Piazza Sacconi: the redevelopment project takes into account the architectural value of particularly prestigious buildings

The port at night: the new lighting system enhances views and walkways, as well as providing a greater sense of safety

By Gabriele Monti (gmonti@cpl.it), Supervisor of the Sant’Omero Adriatica Area Contract

Since April 2012, CPL CONCORDIA has been managing the public

lighting and traffic lights in the town of San Benedetto del Tronto (Ascoli Piceno). Located in the south of the Adriatic coast, in the Marche region, this town of around 50 thousand inhabitants attracts masses of tourists from both Italy and abroad. The system renewal project is divided into various kinds of work: restoring the necessary conditions for safe operation; ensuring greater energy efficiency in compliance with the Directives (installation of high-efficiency LED lamps, use of central and local flow reduction systems); ensuring a proper management service (the construction of a remote control system for all systems is envisaged); enhancing the appearance and environmental impact of the public lighting in

San Benedetto, the seafront lighting that cares about tourists and energy consumption!THE PUBLIC LIGHTING SySTEM INSTALLED IN THE SEASIDE TOWN OF SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO (ASCOLI PICENO) CELEBRATES ITS FIRST BIRTHDAy WITH A MANAGEMENT APPROACH ORIENTED TOWARDS ENERGy SAVINGS AND SySTEM SAFETy

these particular areas – typical of all holiday resorts - such as the seafront (frequented by numerous tourists during the summer months) and the town centre, with its various pedestrian areas used for different events throughout the year. For the service in question, CPL uses a dedicated facility consisting of four maintenance engineers, two cars, a truck-mounted aerial platform, and operational headquarters. The management service includes scheduled and predictive maintenance based on the computerization of the public lighting systems, as well as an on-call service and emergency service that takes full advantage of the facilities provided by the dedicated CPL call centre.The whole contract revolves around achieving substantial energy savings while guaranteeing the lighting

system the same level of performance, in order to set off the costs of redevelopment and regulatory compliance adjustments. From this viewpoint, the project proposed by CPL envisages the use of high-performance lamps and also dimmed light after a certain times, i.e. when traffic flows are lower. The lights will be dimmed, depending on the situations of the various systems, using both centralized flow reduction panels and local reducers installed on each lighting point. Particular attention has been paid to the compilation of a project for regulatory compliance and system safety. More specifically, an extensive survey was carried out to establish the situation of each lighting point, from both an electrical

15 yEARS OF MANAGEMENT AND A TOTAL OF ALMOST 9200 LIGHTING POINTS - ALL THE DETAILS OF THE SERVICE PROVIDEDThe service includes power supply, operation, and routine and special maintenance works, as well as regulatory compliance adjustments and technological upgrading of the street lighting and traffic lights, using high-efficiency light sources, and management and control equipment and components designed to both improve system safety, reliability, and service continuity and also reduce power consumption. With a term of fifteen years, the contract amounts to €9 million. In particular, as required by the Special Tender Specifications (STS), all the equipment supplied and the redevelopment and installation compliance work will be carried out with the necessary funding advanced by CPL and subsequently recovered (including financial charges) via the energy savings envisaged. The system in San Benedetto del Tronto currently uses an electricity supply of about 1.3 MW for 9190 lighting points, with the different types shown below according to the type of use:

• Roadway lighting systems for urban and suburban roads with medium and high average traffic flows

• Roadway lighting systems for main and secondary urban roads

• Lighting for areas of greenery and parks

• Lighting systems for street furniture, public squares, and city/town centre streets

• Lighting systems for churches and special heritage buildings

• Lighting systems for street furniture located on the seafront

The traffic light network includes the following facilities:

• 15 traffic light systems

• 8 flashing light systems to mark dangerous junctions

• 3 traffic light systems for police and fire brigade use

BUSINESS AREA 5

CPL will be managing almost 9200 lighting points, including the lighting systems for churches and special heritage buildings (picture shows the Church of Madonna della Marina)

The lighting will be dimmed using local flow reducers on each lighting point and central control panels

and mechanical viewpoint; all the protection panels used for system control and monitoring were also tested. The work is expected to be finished by the end of July 2013, as scheduled in the project/tender submitted by our company.

Zola Predosa “lights up less” thanks to CPL CONCORDIA LED lampsON 15TH FEBRUARy, THE TOWN COUNCIL TOOk PART IN NATIONAL ENERGy SAVING DAy, LAUNCHING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF ITS PUBLIC LIGHTING SySTEM TO INCLUDE MORE EFFICIENT LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL LEAD TO A 4400-TONNE REDUCTION IN CO2 EMISSIONS

by Marco Grilli (mgrilli@cpl.it), Supervisor of the Bologna Area Contract

On Friday 15th February this year, the Zola Predosa town council decided to

take part in Energy Saving Day 2013, with an initiative christened “Lighting up less”, which is promoted by RADIO 2’s “Caterpillar” programme and supported by hundreds of local councils, institutions, and individuals all over Italy. For the occasion, the local council in the province of Bologna called on CPL CONCORDIA to get involved, since the company had recently taken

over management of the public lighting through a public concession agreement. To celebrate National Energy Saving Day, our company installed the first 10 LED lamps in the system, which will total over 1000 once the work is complete. In the coming months, a redevelopment

programme will be put into practice, concerning over 2500 lighting points

(including over 1000 LED lamps, while the others will be high-pressure sodium lamps, all

remote controlled with point-by-point systems). The use of

LEDs ensures lower power consumption and higher protection in terms of light pollution.The work carried out by the temporary c o n s o r t i u m headed by CPL

Concordia involves improving energy efficiency

and system safety, reducing light pollution, and optimizing technical and financial management via remote control or remote monitoring systems. More specifically, the work will aim to achieve savings by reducing lamp power ratings through the replacement of old-design (mercury or metal halide) lighting fixtures with high-performance lamps and fittings (such as LED and high-pressure sodium), as well as the introduction of

voltage stabilizers to regulate energy flow, equipped with remote monitoring and astronomical timers, in order to fully exploit the remaining light of dusk and the oncoming light of dawn. Each year, these measures implemented by CPL will save 144 TOE (Tons of Oil Equivalent), making a total of 1872 TOE for the 13-year term of the concession. This means 4400 tonnes of CO

2 emissions into the atmosphere will be prevented throughout the management period.

THE WORk IN ‘BITE-SIzED’ CHUNkS

CPL technical engineers tackling public lighting maintenance in the town of Zola - georeferencing is envisaged for all 2500 lighting points

• Redevelopment of over 2500 lighting points• Redevelopment of 53 electrical control panels • Power consumption reduced by over 40%• 13-year term of concession • Survey and georeferencing of over 2500

existing lighting points• Option to use remote management system to

implement video surveillance network in the area, wifi, etc.

BUSINESS AREA6

by Giulio Lancia (glancia@cpl.it), Head of the Campania/Calabria/Sicily Area

After the inspiring experience offered by the construction of the offshore pipeline to Ischia, which

has been in use for four years now, a similar new and significant opportunity has arisen for CPL CONCORDIA.A few weeks ago, in fact, all the organisations involved completed the approval procedure required to build the offshore pipeline planned to run from the coastal area of Bacoli to the island of Procida. The project, which also includes the construction of the gas distribution network on the island, has been partly funded by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A., following preliminary project approval activities carried out by the Ministry of Economic Development.

All the work will be performed by the special purpose entity PROGAS METANO S.r.l, which has been established by CPL CONCORDIA and other local companies that have recognised the remarkable development opportunities inherent in the arrival of natural gas on the island. Such opportunities are linked both directly to the activities due to be carried out by the SPE and to the up and downstream activities all over the island, which could

Strings arranged on the coast of Bacoli (Naples) pending launch of the offshore pipeline measuring over 7 km

Procida also set to burn the blue flame with natural gas pipeline AFTER ISCHIA, CPL CONCORDIA HAS STARTED WORk ON THE NEW NATURAL GAS PIPELINE TO ANOTHER OF THE PHLEGRAEAN ISLANDS OFF THE COAST OF NAPLES, GUARANTEEING GREATER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIqUES

be eligible for soft financing and incentive schemes. The total value of the project amounts to €16,450,000, including €8,650,000 from state funding and €7.8 million from PROGAS METANO S.r.l.. The latter has signed an agreement with the Banca della Campania S.p.A. (a BPER Group bank) for a €2.5 million loan to - partly - cover the network construction costs not eligible for subsidies.The figures really do the talking though, with 7,200 linear metres of 150 mm-diameter medium-pressure underwater gas pipeline due to be built using extra-thick steel with pressure-resistant protection, as well as 26,400 linear metres of natural gas distribution network, consisting of low- and medium-pressure polyethylene pipelines with various diameters, 7,308 road branches, and 2,880 connections with the relative gas meters.The work began on 4th December 2012 in the town of Bacoli, where the offshore pipeline will be assembled and launched.When drafting the final project, an innovative solution was adopted to ensure greater protection of the marine environment where the pipeline reaches Procida, since the seabed is home to a particularly important seagrass meadow (Posidonia oceanica). So, when it comes to the laying of the offshore section near the island of Procida, rather than burying the pipeline directly in the seabed, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) will be carried out, working from the island itself, to create a 900-long continuous bore. This measure will also prevent the dangers of potential interference with the existing facilities (ENEL power cables, water pipelines, etc..) which have been in place in the stretch of sea for some time. The remedial solution was approved by the Ministry of Environment on 29th October 2012.

It should also be remembered that the route planned for the underwater pipeline has also been adapted to meet restrictions arising from the protected status of the area of sea, known as “Regno di Nettuno” (in whose establishment CPL was involved when it was working on the Ischia project, through the company Ischiagas). This meant lengthening the plan by 2.5 km, as it had originally been decided that the supply to Procida would have come via Ischia, not from the mainland, as is now the case. All the work, namely the construction of the undersea pipeline and the distribution network on the island, is scheduled for completion at the end of 2014.

An engineer makes sure the pipelines are perfectly aligned before the welding stage

Welding work on medium-pressure, extra-thick steel pipelines with pressure-resistant protection to withstand underwater pressure levels

BUSINESS AREA 7

by Alessandro Tralli (atralli@cpl.it), Environmental Markets Manager, Engineering Sector

Taking the qualification route to

offer customers better energy

services – that is what the UNI CEI

11352:2010 certification issued by DNV

Italia to CPL on 26th November 2012

means for the cooperative.

An ESCo (Energy Service Company) is

by definition a “natural or legal person

that provides energy services or energy

efficiency improvement measures in the

user’s facilities or on its premises and, in

doing so, accepts a certain

margin of risk financially.

Payment for the services

provided is based wholly

or partly on the energy

efficiency improvements

implemented and whether

or not the other agreed

performance and yield

criteria are met”.

All this leads to the creation

of a close link between the

company and its customers

and the technology installed, since at

least part of the ESCo’s revenues comes

from the energy savings achieved through

the enhancement process undertaken.

Another fundamental element concerns

the financial capacity of ESCos, which

can contribute to the funding of the

energy efficiency measures proposed,

either directly or through other entities,

thereby offering considerable advantages

for customers who – especially given

the current economic climate – are not

required to make any investments. It is not

just a question of offering technologically

advanced measures though. We are

also talking about raising customers’

awareness of responsible energy use,

starting from simple ways of reducing

waste through to detailed explanations of

how to consciously monitor and analyze

consumption.

For some time, the term ESCo has been

used improperly by power providers

(those registered with the AEEG, i.e.

the Italian regulating body for electricity

and gas), whose corporate purpose

simply includes the provision of such

services, without having to demonstrate

any actual significant capabilities of an

organizational or diagnostic nature or

concerning planning, management and

economic and financial aspects.

The skills qualification process began

with Legislative Decree

n. 115 of 2008, following

a European decision to

focus increasing attention

on energy saving and

optimizing consumption of

available energy sources.

Our cooperative has kept

a close eye on the issue

for years now,

but following the

publication by

the government

of the Ministerial Decree dated

7th March 2012 in particular,

we made the strategic decision

to obtain official recognition of

our expertise, in anticipation

of strong market trends and to

rule out the possibility of being

excluded from public tenders.

We began the certification

process by establishing a synergy

between the Quality Department

and Engineering Sector T2. After

an initial documentary analysis

of the requirements (including

compliance with the said ISO

9001 certification criteria), we

proceeded by drawing up new

instructions for an appropriate,

higher-level operating model

and modus operandi.

There are many new features, including

the introduction of a new department,

Energy Analysis, which provides a

specialist staff member to support the

certification activities and energy audits

increasingly required in order to offer a

comprehensive energy service.

Four jobs have been inspected by DNV

Italia for certification purposes, chosen

according to the different technologies

installed and managed by CPL:

• Geovest Consortium – Bologna area

(heating plants)

• Sassuolo hospital (CHP)

• Lagosanto (public lighting)

• PAM supermarket (photovoltaics)

The inspection visit also involved other

CPL departments, including Finance,

Human Resources, Management Control,

etc. For the cooperative, certification

represents an important investment in

the coming future, both financially and

– above all – in the workplace, which

could generate opportunities for growth

and employment. Offering high quality

products and services will ensure our

work stands out from the rest in the

years to come, further enhancing the

energy service provided.

The ESCo community - to join, or not to join?CPL IS AN ENERGy SERVICE COMPANy CERTIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNI CEI 11352:2010

Photovoltaic system installed on a PAM supermarket – one of the four jobs inspected by DNV for certification purposes

“We are also talking

about raising customers’

awareness of responsible energy use”

BUSINESS AREA8

When biogas is compatible with conventional crops and produceREGGIO EMILIA-BASED COOPERATIVE CILA INAUGURATES A BIOGAS CHP PLANT WHICH IS 78%-FUELLED WITH LIVESTOCk MANURE AND 22% WITH PLANT BIOMASS.

By Francesco Manicardi (fmanicardi@cpl.it), Press Office Manager

The biogas plant built by the Cila cooperative based in Novellara (Reggio Emilia) stands on an

area covering 20,000 sqm and offers an electricity production capacity that serves around 3,000 families, which corresponds to an equivalent population of 8,000. “We started thinking about producing energy from renewable sources – said Graziano Salsi, chairman of the cooperative – in 2008, when European standards on Agri-Energy were transposed and implemented in Italy. The biogas project was researched and included in the company’s development plan for 2008/2011. The aim was to increase milk yields for the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and to boost the non-GM production of heavy pigs, while keeping the local produce core business sound. The biogas plant is designed to be compatible with conventional crops and produce, using livestock manure and plant biomass originating from farms and land owned and run by Cila. The plant is 78%-fuelled by livestock manure (which can generate 426 kW of power) and 22% by plant biomass (which generates 573 kW, making a total of 999 kW). Also noteworthy are

the significant environmental benefits of biogas stemming from savings in fossil fuels (1,900 TOE per year). The carbon dioxide released is of agricultural origin, not fossil-based, and therefore the power produced is emission-free. The digested material fed out by the plant offers advantages such as lower odour emissions and excellent fertilizing properties which are easily assimilated by crop plants”.Once suitably purified, the biogas is used by a cogeneration system built by CPL CONCORDIA, featuring a module with a rated electricity output of 999 kW. The

system, which g u a r a n t e e s r o u n d - t h e -clock operation, produces 8 million kW of electricity per year, in addition to the thermal energy required for the process operation and also, shortly, for breeding needs. This electricity p r o d u c t i o n is based on a yearly CHP

plant operation of 8000 hours (not including technical downtime) and can provide revenues amounting to approximately €2 million. The maintenance work for the CHP plant has also been assigned to CPL CONCORDIA, which has its own cogeneration department staffed by specialist workers. “This is a significant investment, totalling €4.5 million, more than half of which has had favourable repercussions for the local economy and employment, with local firms working on the construction of the plant. Our strength – concluded Salsi – has always been our ability to combine tradition and innovation; we strive to keep the quality of our products high, all the while being ready to consider new opportunities”.“The importance of the CILA experience is summed up in the presentation by its chairman, Mr Salsi. More attentive observers – said Roberto Loschi, Head of Engineering at CPL CONCORDIA – will have noticed that the entire first part of the presentation made by the chairman, Mr Salsi, focused on the development of the company’s agricultural and livestock activities. The biogas plant comes afterwards and represents a ‘streamlining’ of this development, rather than a departure from it”.

The digesters (the white buildings) are fuelled with livestock manure and plant biomass and the digestate produced as a by-product is an excellent fertilizer

A crowd shows an interest in the plant, which generates a total output of 999 kW, operating around the clock

BUSINESS AREA 9

Reducing emissions in Milan takes considerable studyA PROJECT FOR THE REDUCTION OF CO2 EMISSIONS AT THE CITTà STUDI CAMPUS OF POLITECNICO DI MILANO

By Sara Scolieri * (sara.scolieri@mail.polimi.it)

The European Union has long been committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to counter

climate change, first with the Kyoto Protocol, and following up with the “20-20-20 climate and energy package”, whose objectives included a 20% reduction in emissions (with reference to emissions recorded in 1990) by 2020. As part of this campaign, numerous European and non-European universities have begun monitoring their energy consumption and drawing up inventories of their greenhouse gas emissions. At Politecnico di Milano, the first quantification of CO

2

emissions was performed at the Città Studi campus. The estimate came from dissertation activities (Scolieri, 2012) carried out as part of the “Città Studi Sustainable Campus” project, whose goal was to turn the university campus into an example of environmental sustainability.Both direct and indirect emissions were considered (from sources not owned or not controlled by the university), following international standards on greenhouse gas emissions inventories, such as the GHG Protocol (WRI/WBCSD) and ISO 14064. Total CO

2 emissions on the Città Studi campus amounted to 22 ktCO2/year for 2011, with a per head value of 1 tCO2/person/year. The main sources of emissions are electricity consumption (47%), access to the campus using motor-powered vehicles (29%), and heating (15%), with other categories playing a marginal role. From the comparison with similar estimates for other Italian and foreign universities, it emerged that the emissions on the campus (in terms of tCO

2/m2etCO2/person) rank medium-to-high in comparison with emissions at other Italian universities, but are lower than the

averages recorded for European and US universities. To decrease the total emissions, actions linked to energy saving and energy efficiency were considered, along with those aimed at reducing motor-powered movement. On the basis of the information gathered, a 24% reduction of the 2011 emissions has been set as an objective for 2020. Among the various projects taken into account to reduce CO

2 emissions, the “Feasibility study concerning the improvement of plant and energy efficiency at the Leonardo, Bonardi, Bassini, and Golgi-Clericetti campuses” was carried out by CPL CONCORDIA (as manager of the Politecnico di Milano Property Lot I) and achieved a 13% reduction in the total emissions estimated in 2011. The work proposed can be split into two main areas:Management: introduction of a centralized

plant monitoring systemTechnical: introduction of low-power technologies, renewal of system engineering, and use of renewable sourcesThe work (which envisages possible reductions in both electricity and heating

consumption) mainly involves the creation of a technologically advanced plant for the centralized production of hot water for heating, cooled water for air conditioning, and electricity (via cogeneration).

* Author of the graduate dissertation “Estimated CO

2 emissions at universities: the case of Politecnico di Milano - Città Studi Campus”. Principal Advisor: Prof. S. Caserini. Thesis committee: Prof. E.Perotto, Prof. M.Grecchi

The building named “11 – Architettura” - one of the buildings involved in the study for the introduction of low-power technologies

Functional diagram of the project depicting operation of the CHP plant and the cooling plant.

BUSINESS AREA10

CPL CONCORDIA on the rise in Argentina – 50,000 gas users and a future in renewable energy170 kM OF GAS NETWORkS OPENED IN THE CITy OF PARANà IN 2012 By CPL GROUP COMPANy REDENGAS. GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF ENTRE RIOS, SERGIO URRIBARRI, PRESENTS PROJECT FOR SOLAR PANEL PRODUCTION PLANT FOR ARGENTINE MARkET

By Luca Bocchi (lbocchi@cpl.it), Resident Manager, Argentina

In February, Redengas S.A. – a

member of CPL CONCORDIA Group

operating in Argentina – announced

that the service had reached 50 thousand

users, highlighting the company’s

growth over recent years, with an annual

increase of around 2,500 new users. The

rising number of users is attributable to

investments made by the Province of

Entre Rios and the Paranà city council,

which implemented around 170 km of

extensions to the residential network in

2012, making the city of Paranà, with its

800 km network, one of the best served

areas in the region. At the same time,

the new management approach has

also impacted positively on the service,

which focuses considerable attention

on incentives to draw in new users,

introducing - in 2010 - a new pressure

reducing station and arranging various

forms of financing to help customers

fund new connections and internal

systems. The press conference, held by

the chairman of Redengas

S.A., Alberto Gutierrez, was

attended by the chairman

of CPL CONCORDIA Soc.

Coop., Roberto Casari, as

majority shareholder, the

governor of the province of

Entre Rios, Sergio Urribarri,

and the mayor of the city

of Paranà, Blanca Osuna.

Governor Urribarri’s

contribution was important,

as he pointed out that “Given the growth

of Redengas, with its 50,000 users, there

is no doubt that the level of service meets

the citizens of Paranà’s expectations”.

Future investments planned by the

company were also announced during

the press conference.

After several years spent freezing rates,

the governor authorized an increase in

power tariffs, on the condition that the

additional revenues be allocated to in-

vestments aimed at improving the di-

stribution network. For the coming two

years, Redengas plans to invest 11.8 mil-

lion pesos (€1.8 million) in increasing

maintenance, overhauling odorization

facilities and expanding the distribution

network. Of particular note is the new

pressure reducing station due to be bu-

ilt in the city’s industrial park. This work

will allow the company to provide gas to

a new area of the city and, with the fur-

ther network extension works planned

for implementation in 2013, the 80,000

potential users (i.e. coverage of the entire

city) will be within our reach.

A further project was also presented, this

time for the construction of a manufacturing

facility to produce solar panels for the

Argentine market. The facility will be

built at the Redengas headquarters, with

an assembly plant imported from Italy to

be used in conjunction. It is a project on

which Redengas has been working with

the Entre Rios provincial government,

together with the Argentine Ministry of

Industry, which is extremely interested in

the employment opportunities offered by

the construction of the plant. The chairman

of CPL, Mr Casari, drew the meeting to an

end by providing a long-term view of the

situation, as is appropriate for a leader of

a cooperative with 114 years to its name.

“When we say ‘renewable energy’, we

mean solar power, biomass, natural gas, or

biodiesel. Over the last 100 years, oil has

ruled the world, but the resources needed

to meet today’s needs are destined to run

out. Today’s is a globalized world and

over the next 100 years, the challenge will

lie, not only in ensuring gas distribution,

but also in being a part of the alternative

energy projects of the future.”

A Redengas engineer checks proper operation of the gas facilities

The presentation to celebrate the 50,000-user milestone was attended by the chairman of CPL CONCORDIA, Roberto Casari (second from the left), and governor of the province, Sergio Urribarri (first on the right)

BUSINESS AREA 11

A22 motorway - efficient energy use from Modena to BrennerCRISTOFORETTI SER AND CPL CONCORDIA AWARDED FOUR-yEAR MAINTENANCE CONTRACT By AUTOSTRADA DEL BRENNERO S.P.A. FOR MOTORWAy HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING FACILITIES

by Federico Vitturi (fvitturi@cristoforetti.com), Cristoforetti SER Project Manager

Cristoforetti SER S.r.l. and CPL CONCORDIA have been awarded a four-year maintenance contract

by Autostrada del Brennero S.p.A. for the heating and air-conditioning facilities located along the motorway. As the central European countries’ first access

pass to the Mediterranean regions, the Brenner motorway runs from the Alps, through the Padania plains area, to the province of Modena, over a total distance of 315 km. The contract, which is worth approximately €2.7 million, includes

management of the systems installed in all the various pays stations, service stations and service/maintenance buildings, as well as in the company’s head offices.From 1st October 2012, the temporary consortium set up by Cristoforetti SER/CPL CONCORDIA began providing maintenance services which – while standard in terms of the technology

employed – stand out for the fact that the works are carried out in areas open to traffic. In light of this, numerous measures are taken by the works management to protect employees involved in maintenance activities. For example, company vehicles are equipped with magnetic flashing lamps to apply when working on the motorway, to draw attention to the presence of the workers. The

complex procedure adopted for workers to cross the motorway pays stations at road level involves a series of buttons being pressed to restrict access to the lane in question, as a result of which the lane traffic light turns red and the barrier is lowered to stop oncoming

traffic. A gate is then opened to allow the w o r k e r to cross. The entire procedure is performed

automatically and repeated for each lane until the employee reaches the area where the work needs to be carried out. Bear in mind that at the Vipiteno station, in Bolzano, there are 22 lanes (!), so reaching the farthest one may take several minutes.Apart from the routine maintenance activities, the contract also envisages the possibility of the service provider identifying areas where redevelopment and modernization work is needed, submitting the work to the client and then, where accepted, implementing the proposal. The aim of this provision is to optimise energy consumption and improve the environmental impact of existing facilities. Within this context, Cristoforetti and CPL have formed a working party that includes both purely operational roles, dedicated to on-site activities, and administrative roles with special responsibilities, intended to provide innovative contributions that can be developed together with the client. For Cristoforetti and CPL, this contract represents an excellent visibility opportunity and the chance to work for an extremely prestigious client renowned for its sensitivity to environmental issues and careful management of assets.

One of the 23 pay stations that dot the A22 motorway - the procedure adopted for employees to cross the various lanes is a particularly complex part of the maintenance engineers’ work

Rising fashion house LIU•JO discovers COOPGAS power services

The LIU•JO head office in Carpi (Modena) – LIU•JO products are distributed in around 310 single-brand boutiques and 5100 multi-brand stores worldwide

by the Coopgas Sales Department

In a handful of years LIU•JO S.p.a., the fashion house led by the Marchi brothers, has managed to carve

out a prominent position in the Italian fashion scene, through the creation of a contemporary, cosmopolitan lifestyle brand which is now distributed in approximately 310 single-brand boutiques and 5100 multi-brand stores around the world. Since 2011, the company has been based in a prestigious new 15,000 sqm facility, located

in the industrial district of Carpi (Modena).Coopgas and LIU•JO met in early 2012, when Coopgas (a CPL CONCORDIA Group member and natural gas provider, located a few miles from Carpi) offered the fashion brand a more economically enticing business proposal than its competitors, as part of its development project aimed at local businesses in the Emilia area. Coopgas, which also offered the new customer a trial period during which to assess service quality and efficiency, has always built its development on professionalism, quality of service, and the

ability to respond positively to customers’ needs. The LIU•JO management then went on to renew the natural gas supply agreement with Coopgas, deeming the financial aspects of the offer in line with their spending and saving plans.

315 km in length

23 service/maintenance buildings

6 motorway safety stations

5 service centres

22 service stations

THE BRENNER MO-TORWAy IN FIGURES

MARKETING12

All great changes are simple - the new CPL CONCORDIA WebsiteNEW LOOk FOR COMPANy’S WEB COMMUNICATIONS FEATURING JUST THREE MENU OPTIONS, USER-FRIENDLy GRAPHICS ALSO DESIGNED WITH TOUCHSCREEN COMPATIBILITy IN MIND, AND ExTENSIVE VISUAL AND TExTUAL CONTENT AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD. FOREIGN CUSTOMERS IN SEARCH OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE ONE OF THE GROUPS CPL WILL BE TARGETING TO INCREASE TURNOVER IN COMING yEARS

By Marika Menozzi (mmenozzi@cpl.it), Web Manager

In keeping with the famous words of Ezra Pound (twentieth century essayist and poet) adopted as the title

for this article, the aim of the new CPL CONCORDIA Website is to offer users a tool that is both simple to browse and capable of conveying the great changes that have taken place at the company. CPL CONCORDIA is opening up to new markets, it is exporting its know-how abroad, and it has begun manufacturing and marketing new products, such as smart meters, software, remote reading and monitoring systems, and cogeneration modules. The company’s primary need is to showcase the wide range of CPL CONCORDIA offerings, including its various long-running services and the latest products. With only three

menu options (solutions, company, contacts), it is simple for visitors to decide which path best suits their needs. They can browse the services and products, find out about CPL CONCORDIA, including its history and success stories, or they can visit the sustainability section, have a look at the films, or contact the company. When they click on “solutions”, a full menu opens listing all the CPL offerings, from gas and electricity to cogeneration, biomass, photovoltaics, water, oil & gas, and the power service. Each service is accompanied by technical data sheets, catalogues, success stories, videos, products, and - at the foot of the page - a Contact Me form.The other exciting aspect of the site lies in the new design and graphics. Web trends show that visiting a site is

no longer limited to viewing via a PC screen. With the introduction of tablets and smartphones, Web designers need to devise another interaction approach, starting with the graphical aspects of the site. Interface design has entered a radically new dimension since the introduction of the touch experience in new handheld devices, which has marked a major change in perception. That is why the graphics of the new site follow certain new Web trends, such as “Bigger is better”, i.e. the CPL site uses all available pixels to feature panoramic photos, high-impact graphics, and dynamic content.Finally, a look at the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategy adopted for the site in the design stage. This essential process is the way in which a Website is rendered “attractive” to search engines, especially Google. Over 80% of Internet users use search engines to find information on the products or services in which they are interested. CPL CONCORDIA needs to increase visibility in the areas where it has started operating (Poland, Romania, Algeria, Tunisia, India, and Latin America), as well as in Italy, to target potential users who are unaware of its range of offerings. Over 2012, the “old” CPL site totalled 338,807 visits, with 20% from abroad. We

New CPL CONCORDIA Website layout - the graphics are designed to accommodate new trends, including panoramic photos and dynamic content, and with a focus on viewing via tablets and smartphones

by Paolo Barbieri (pbarbieri@cpl.it), Energy Procurement Manager

As of 1st April 2013, Coopgas will be offering electricity to household and business users nationwide.

Several solutions have been proposed, all designed to guarantee tangible savings on power bills and a more competitive, more comprehensive service that reflects different consumption habits.The liberalization of the electricity market was launched in Italy by Legislative Decree n. 79 dated 16 March 1999, which marked the beginning of the process in terms of production, importation, exportation, purchase, and sale of electricity. Since 1st July 2007, all end users have been able to choose from suppliers on the free market.With this new department, Coopgas intends to expand its sales offerings (previously limited to natural gas) to include competitive conditions for the purchase of electricity, guaranteeing

Not just warmth, Coopgas offers light too! COOPGAS GAS & ELECTRICITy DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL FROM 1ST APRIL

the same professionalism it has always shown over the years in its relationships with customers. For a household user, changing electricity provider couldn’t be simpler:

• No risk of cut-offs• No work on systems• No charge for the procedure • Maximum 1 month’s notice for

cancellation of old supply• No “red tape”, as the switch will be

handled entirely by Coopgas

This means that Coopgas gas users can now sign up for the electricity service. Coopgas’s Gas & Electricity department provides maximum transparency and reliability, optimizing costs related to household or business use. So why not visit our Website at www.coopgas.it, or contact us by phone on 800 917 917 or email at info@coopgas.it.

BUSINESS NEWS 13

have set some extremely ambitious targets for the new site, including a 30% increase in total visits (with a higher number of visits from abroad in particular), improvements in the amount of time spent on the pages (with a lower bounce rate therefore), and optimized browsing of site content.

Award-winning sustainabilityON 3RD DECEMBER 2012, A DELEGATION FROM CPL CONCORDIA ATTENDED THE PRESENTATION CEREMONy FOR THE “OSCAR DI BILANCIO”, A FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AWARD BESTOWED IN THE MAJESTIC SETTING OF PALAzzO MEzzANOTTE IN MILAN, HOME TO THE ITALIAN STOCk ExCHANGE

by Virna Iodice (viodice@cpl.it), Communications department

A fter making it to the finals in 2010, once again CPL has made it to the shortlist of three finalists

for the “Oscar di Bilancio” award, in the category “Unlisted Large Businesses and Companies.” The award, sponsored and managed by FERPI (Italian Public Relations Federation) is allocated on the basis of criteria such as clarity, deadline compliance, accessibility, efficiency, report content, financial data presentation quality, organizational and management model, and risk management, as well as CSR and corporate governance aspects. When explaining the reasoning behind its recognition of the CPL report, the panel stated “Easily accessible to members and stakeholders in general, the

financial statements and consolidated financial statements provide extensive information, detailed analyses, and significant quantitative indicators of a non-financial nature concerning the company’s performance. Particularly s i g n i f i c a n t are the p ro s p e c t i ve report with p r o v i s i o n a l f i n a n c i a l s t a t e m e n t s for 2012, 2013, and 2014 and the Sustainability R e p o r t 2011, which p r o v i d e s u s e f u l i n f o rma t i on on corporate g o v e r n a n c e and social and environmental performance.”The award was collected by CPL’s deputy chairman, Mario Guarnieri, who said he was “honoured to receive such recognition of CPL CONCORDIA’s

ability to prioritise transparency and its profound awareness of social issues, qualities which should be core traits of any cooperative,” while Massimo Continati, Director of Administration and Information Systems, commented “This award acknowledges, once again, the quality, resolve, and commitment of the members of our cooperative, who found themselves working in extremely precarious conditions, during the closure of these financial statements. The earthquakes that hit our facilities in Emilia left us working constantly,

Saturdays and Sundays included, under the roofs of what were once our car parks, with no heating or protection against the elements”.

CPL’s healthy attendance at the Oscar di Bilancio ceremony conveys the com-pany’s team spirit, an indispensable quality for an information product that ranks among the top at national level

THREE yEARS OF GREAT GROWTH AND COMMITMENT AND A TURNOVER TARGET OF €635 MILLIONCPL CONCORDIA Group’s three-year business plan for 2013-2015 approved

On 25th February 2013, the board of directors of CPL CONCORDIA Soc Coop. approved CPL CONCORDIA Group’s business plan for 2013 -2015. The goal set by the group for the next three years is to ensure the growth of the last five years continues, while maintaining a balanced financial and equity situation. Penetration of foreign markets, including both those already entered and other countries, is one of the group’s main goals for the coming three years. In 2015, the company is expected to turn over €80 million outside the conventional domestic market. Over the next few days, the plan will be submitted to banks and major lenders.

CPL CONCORDIA Group- Figures in € millions

2015 2014 2013 2012 (*) 2011 (**)

Value of production 635.42 571.37 471.74 412.61 388.21

EBITDA 63.64 10.02% 53.97 9.45% 42.83 9.08% 39.42 9.55% 44.68 11.51%

Financial operations -8.96 -1.41% -7.26 -1.27% -6.34 -1.35% -5.14 -1.25% -4.56 -1.17%

Earnings before tax 27.41 2.76% 22.83 4.00% 18.64 3.95% 12.79 3.10% 16.203 4.17%

Debt / EBITDA 3.17 3.12 3.12 2.92 2.95

(*) provisional financial results (**) final financial results

BUSINESS NEWS14

UNI EN ISO 9001-certification on the way, together with a new organizational structure for CPL Distribuzione

by Michele Bosi (mibosi@cpl.it), Quality Department, and Francesca Galassi (fgalassi@cpl.it), Distribution Sector

Over the last few months, one of our subsidiaries,

CPL Distribuzione S.r.l., has undergone two major developments, namely UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 system certification and the adoption of a new organizational framework. Thanks to the work of our Quality Department, begun at the end of 2011 and carried out in close cooperation with the Distribution Sector, CPL Distribuzione has obtained UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 certification for its quality management system, relating to activities linked to the natural gas distribution concession.This major milestone will enable the CPL Group member to take part in tenders in Italy, thereby intensifying its presence in the natural gas distribution field. The advantage of this certification is not limited to this potential new growth within an increasingly competitive market, it will also allow the company to systematically plan, monitor, test, and assess its processes and performance, entirely independently. From an organizational perspective, though, the most important change, which has been in place since 1st January 2013, is the direct hiring of staff working in the area offices throughout the different Italian regions. This new approach will allow the company greater autonomy in its management

of the distribution service, in line with provisions on corporate unbundling (separation of accounts), and enable it to tackle new industry tenders for gas

concessions with a stronger, more structured framework.Furthermore, staff employed within the company will have the opportunity to develop greater responsibility within

Legacoop Coopnet 2.0 award - Recognition for CPL’s integrated household meter

their roles, which are now compliant with an officially recognized international standard and part of a new, more streamlined, organizational framework.

By Francesco Manicardi (fmanicardi@cpl.it), Press Office Manager

Last December, Legacoop conferred recognition upon the

innovation inherent in today’s cooperatives with COOPNET 2.0, the award organized by Legacoop in association with Telecom Italia. “Coopnet 2.0” – commented Vanni Rinaldi, Legacoop’s New Technologies Manager – “is part of the Coopernova project, whose goal is to showcase innovation in the world of cooperatives and encourage openness to external stakeholders.” Three cooperatives have been awarded the prize, namely CPL CONCORDIA, Finabita, and La Traccia, whose innovative ideas have led to the creation of services employing advanced technology which also serve a social utility purpose.CPL CONCORDIA was awarded first prize for its project titled “Smart meter for household use, with integrated management and communications system”. The meter, known as ‘F4’,

meets the most advanced needs of the natural gas distribution world. Devised to meet the requirements of AEEG Resolution n. 155/2008 (Italian electricity and gas authority), the meter offers innovative consumption accounting and ensures measurement reliability through the established standard of mechanical measurement using diaphragms and parallel chambers. The primary measuring element of the meters consists of two measuring chambers, equipped with appropriate flexible, gas-tight, synthetic diaphragms, which are set in motion by the differential switch responding to the intake and outfeed pressure difference. The gas enters the measuring chambers on one side and leaves them from the other side, transferring a known volume of gas, called the “cyclical volume.” When one part is full, the chamber moves to the next position, thereby allowing the gas to fill the empty part. The ensuing motion is then converted into electronic

pulses by a specific encoder.Among the award-winning cooperative projects, those implemented by Finabita stand out in particular (e.g. its “Sole” [Sun] project), as designed to meet the need for simplicity and clarity in energy conservation information products. The project concerns the creation

of a database for monitoring the energy efficiency of buildings. The La Traccia cooperative, meanwhile was awarded for its “Prisma and Smart Health” project, which was accepted for co-financing on the basis of its report “Smart Cities and Communities and Social Innovation”.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILIT Y 15

UNICEF works with CPL CONCORDIA to help children in earthquake aftermath

by Lea Boschetti, chair of the Emilia-Romagna UNICEF Committee

In the aftermath of the earthquake that struck our area in May 2012, affecting many towns and cities in the Emilia

region, UNICEF took action to provide support and solidarity for the children involved. Focusing particular attention on the towns of Concordia sulla Secchia and San Possidonio, the UN programme worked in conjunction with CPL CONCORDIA, which had been supporting it for the three years prior to the earthquake. This support included concerts and other fundraising events linked to major issues, such as combating infant mortality, helping the street children of Congo, and the Haiti earthquake, as well as playing a continuous role as solidarity partner and championing ‘global to local’ initiatives. Working in association with CPL (which provided local authorities with logistical support in the period following the earthquake and continues to do so today), UNICEF has implemented actions in which various local committees were involved, coordinated by the Emilia-Romagna branch of the UNICEF Committee. The first action, which was attended by the national chairman of UNICEF, Giacomo Guerrera, representatives from the two local councils, and the chairman of CPL, consisted in the provision of supplies of household paper products donated by FOXY, a corporate partner which also sponsors the production of the rag dolls sold by UNICEF to raise funds. The products in question, which ranged from napkins to tissues, kitchen roll and toilet paper, was delivered in July to the camps housing the earthquake victims in the two towns and was calculated to cover needs for approximately two months.Last summer, young YOUNICEF volunteers also participated enthusiastically as helpers in the social activities and educational games organised for the children at weekends, assisting the two local councils’ Education and Culture departments.In September, UNICEF also delivered 169 football kits to the children of Concordia and San Possidonio on the two local youth sports teams. The sports bags, produced by the company MAPFRE WARRANTY, were donated to the children by the UNICEF

staff, who wanted to be involved personally.This was then followed by various initiatives by other UNICEF committees, all intended to emphasise the importance of children’s rights, starting with the right to play, promoted by the Catania and Como Committees, which sent rag dolls, toys, and games, also donated by local communities. Part of these toys and games were also handed out to our members’ children at events organized in recent weeks. Regarding the right to education, various

purchase of interactive whiteboards and tablets for the Sergio Neri school complex, which has schools located in Concordia and San Possidonio.

by Enrico Benetti (ebenetti@cpl.it), member of the board of directors

At the Ecomondo international trade fair, held in Rimini as part of the European FORT project for

the promotion of ongoing technology research and application, the Legacoop

MIC (Master in Imprese Cooperative – i.e. Masters in Cooperative Enterprises) was awarded first prize for the best business idea linked to sustainable building, energy saving, new building materials, and new materials for furniture and home automation. Seven projects were

up against each other, including Italian and foreign companies and universities, and were examined by an international panel of judges to win a cross-innovation voucher worth €5,000 redeemable against services provided by the FORT project. Several issues were addressed, such as product and process engineering, new home design techniques, and heat measurement and control methods, as well as also social housing and personal wellbeing. Two cooperative projects carried out as part of an MIC course were presented at the conference:

regional UNICEF committees rallied round, including the Campania branch which – together with the Domenico Cimarosa school complex in Aversa and workers from the Naples-Caserta branch of ice-cream producer Algida – contributed to the

Representatives of UNICEF and young YOUNICEF volunteers, who visited the Concordia Red Zone accompanied by the Fire Brigade

RISE project members proudly display the voucher won

Ecomondo 2012: MIC wins first prize for most innovative projectSOCIALLy-LED ENERGy RESTRUCTURING PROJECT SUBMITTED By ABITCOOP MODENA, UNIECO, CCPL ENERGy, CPL CONCORDIA, GULLIVER, VITA FUTURA, CCFS, AND COOP NORD EST BRINGS HOME €5000 PRIzE FROM FORT PROJECT

COOP WORLD16

Our cooperative becomes part of Italian business heritageCPL CONCORDIA, WHICH CELEBRATES 114 yEARS IN BUSINESS THIS APRIL, HAS ADDED ITS NAME TO THE REGISTER OF HISTORIC BUSINESSES SET UP By UNIONCAMERE, THE NATIONAL BODy THAT GROUPS TOGETHER ALL THE ITALIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. THIS REGISTER REPRESENTS A WEALTH OF BUSINESS ExPERIENCE, BLENDING TRADITION AND INNOVATION, WHICH THE ITALIAN STATE HAS DECIDED TO CHART AND PROMOTE

by Marco Dal Dosso (mdaldosso@cpl.it), CSR Manager

In a year in which the country celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, Unioncamere

- with scientific coordination provided by the Centre for Business Culture - laid the foundations for a system to promote enterprises established over a hundred years ago, which bear witness to the significant changes and the innermost traits of our nation and its identity. This vast project led to the celebration of Italian businesses with over a hundred years to their name and the launch of the Register of Historic Businesses at Unioncamere, which can be accessed online at www.unioncamere.gov.it. The register, which provides a national map of all businesses incorporated over a

hundred years ago, is a tool that combines both informative and promotional aspects, aimed at businesses whose work over the years has brought together innovation and tradition, as well as openness to the world and a sense of community awareness.2012 marked the 150th anniversary of the chamber of commerce system, which was established on 6th July 1862, when the newly created Italian Parliament promulgated the first law dedicated to this area of commerce. To celebrate the role of Italian business mastery, Unioncamere reopened the invitation for companies to join the register. Proving business longevity, though, is not always straightforward, especially when going back over a hundred years. In the invitation notice, it was stated that interested parties should enclose proof of their prolonged existence, what historians refer to as “documentary sources”. Along with the registration application, companies sent in copies of photographs, antique products or

Digging and transportation labourers working at the end of the 1940s

CPL’s first members register, dated 1899, contains the names of 382 workers

- RISE (from the Italian title “Ristrutturazione Sociale Energetica”), which examines eco-sustainability with a socially-led approach and was submitted by the representative company, a Modena-based co-operative called Abitcoop, in association with Unieco, CCPL Energy, CPL CONCORDIA, Gulliver, Vita Futura, CCFS, and Coop Nord Est- REGENERA (Essere e Benessere [Being and Wellbeing]), which explores personal wellbeing, submitted by representative company CCPL Gesta, in association with CMB, Unieco, CPL CONCORDIA, Assicura, CCPL, Gulliver, Biricca, Legacoop Parma-Coop Averla, and Legacoop Parma.

The panel awarded the prize to the RISE project, in recognition not only of the business value of eco-sustainable homes (described in a detailed, comprehensive business plan), but also of the social importance of the project, which is strategic and innovative for the community. The young cooperative members working on the MIC expressed extremely positive opinions, “This represents further proof that cooperation can be innovative and still uphold its social and solidarity values, by bringing together the tradition of responding to community needs and new environment and energy saving issues at the same time. This experience

is a perfect way to end a training program that has been an enriching and awareness-increasing process. An example of large-scale teamwork between different-sized co-operatives from different industries”. Our thanks to the cooperatives and participants, also from the chairs of Legacoop Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Parma, “We are proud of the work done and the commitment and professionalism involved. Cooperation as a whole is a current economic model which is subject to constant evolution. At such a difficult time for our businesses, it is important to be able to maintain our commitment to developing new ideas and new projects”.

machines, and all kinds of documents to back up their claimed unbroken history. Our cooperative found and submitted photographs and descriptive material relating to the business activities, which are known to have begun in 1899, and now our enterprise has its own page in the Register of Historic Businesses.Taking up this ambitious challenge of showcasing all the companies whose long lifetimes demonstrate the core values and innovative qualities of the Italian business system, Unioncamere intends to gradually promote and enrich the project through important new initiatives.