The project Amethyst aimed at developing a benchmarking and self-assessment tool for small and mid-scale wine manufacturers. The tool gives wineries insight in the relative energy and water efficiency of the winery and the potentials to improve their position. Based on previous experiences with wineries it is estimated that savings of more than 20% can be obtained in a cost-effective way. This will result in reductions in peak electricity use, reduced CO2 emissions, and improve the bottom line of wineries across the EU. Specific benchmarking tools for France, Spain, Italy and Germany will be developed, together responsible for nearly 80% of the EU wine production (and over 50% of the global production). The tool will be available from the internet and eight workshops will be given in important wine regions in the four member states to train an expected 240 wineries in the use of the tool.
This project is for 50% funded by the European Union Intelligent Energy for Europe programme. Other sponsors are amongst others the Regulatory Council for the Rioja Wines, ADEME and Piemonte Region.
The model has been developed in the period March 2007 till March 2008 and is available in French, Italian, Spanish and German. Workshops have taken place in the period May 2008-November 2008 in these four countries.
Click here to download the project fact sheet and presentation slides (Prezentazione (Italian)).
See also a video featuring the Amethyst project in "Cutting Europe’s industrial energy needs".
The Amethyst project is a Campaign Partner of Sustainable Energy Europe.