Digital Energy Project

Innovative services for energy management of Lombardy Region’s institutional buildings

To contribute to the European emission reduction targets for 2030 and Lombardy Region’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Lombardy Region has launched the Digital Energy Project: an advanced energy management initiative for its institutional building portfolio.

The project was launched in 2024 with an initial pilot at Palazzo Lombardia (158,500 sqm and over 4,200 toe/year in energy consumption) and is being extended during 2025–2026 to Palazzo Pirelli and 8 regional offices (Regional Territorial Offices in Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lecco, Pavia, Sondrio and Varese), covering a total of 10 buildings.

 

 

Main goals

The initiative is built around the development of a digital Energy Management System (EMS) platform that integrates data from existing metering systems and newly installed sensors. The platform enables real-time energy consumption monitoring, identification of inefficiencies, and data-driven operational decision-making.

 

Key activities

The project begins with a comprehensive survey of the building stock, including the technical inventory of each building’s systems, the assessment of metering requirements, and the installation of sensors needed for systematic energy data collection.

On this foundation, the integrated digital platform is developed to centralise collected data and make it available for continuous consumption monitoring, energy modelling and efficiency scenario simulations. The analysis results feed into a tiered intervention plan, ranging from zero-cost operational optimisations — such as adjusting operating schedules and HVAC set-points — to structural energy retrofitting measures.

The project also includes occupant engagement through awareness-raising activities and structured collection of feedback on workplace comfort, with the aim of integrating the users’ perspective into energy management. All project documentation is organised in a centralised Data Room to support operational continuity and model transferability.

 

Policy framework

The project is aligned with European and regional energy efficiency and digital transition policies. At European level, it reflects the principles of Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on energy efficiency and the “Efficiency First” principle and is consistent with Directive (EU) 2024/1275 (EPBD IV), which promotes the reduction of energy consumption in the building sector. At regional level, the initiative falls within the Regional Energy, Environment and Climate Programme (PREAC), approved by Regional Government Resolution of 15 December 2022, no. 7553, and is in line with the Regional Sustainable Development Programme of the XII Legislature.