The Challenge
Gruppo CAP, an Italian water utility, operates in an increasingly demanding environment shaped by:

• rising energy costs;
• increasingly ambitious environmental targets;
• aging infrastructure requiring modernization.

In pumping systems, energy consumption can account for up to 90% of total lifecycle costs. For this reason, energy
efficiency is not just a technical improvement, but a strategic priority.
The utility therefore needed a solution capable of:

• delivering measurable reductions in energy consumption;
• ensuring long-term reliability;
• being scalable across multiple installations.

The solution
To support the municipality in addressing efficiency, reliability, and scalability challenges, a collaboration was
built based on complementary expertise and a shared longterm vision.
In this context, the adoption of High Efficiency Systems (HES), now progressively installed on more than 60 wells,
represents a concrete outcome of this approach. Thanks to the ability to integrate technology with operational vision, Gruppo CAP was supported in developing an effective and scalable solution based on:

• International experience in the municipal sector, with solutions already validated in complex environments;
• A complete system approach, integrating pump, motor, and electronics for maximum performance;
• Flexibility and scalability, ideal for adapting to individual sites and replicating the model on a large scale;
• Continuous technical support, both pre- and postsales.

Each installed system includes:

How it Works
The improvements result from the combination of three factors:
1. Higher motor efficiency: The permanent magnet motor eliminates rotor losses typical of asynchronous motors, improving efficiency especially at partial loads.
2. Intelligent speed control: The VFD continuously adjusts speed to actual demand, keeping the pump close to its maximum efficiency point.
3. Electro-hydraulic optimization: Proper sizing and regulation reduce: energy losses, off-curve operation and waste due to mechanical regulation.

Results achieved
Following an adequate operating period, the municipality carried out a structured performance analysis, providing
data related to 41 upgraded installations. Before the modernization, the total annual energy consumption of the analyzed systems amounted to 8,591,030 kWh. After installation, consumption was reduced to 7,069,427 kWh per year. The verified energy savings therefore amount to 1,521,603 kWh annually, corresponding to an overall average reduction of 17.7%.
In municipal applications, a percentage reduction of this magnitude is particularly significant, as the large overall
volume of energy consumed substantially amplifies the impact of the improvements achieved.

Improvement of the Energy Performance Indicator
To provide an objective evaluation of the savings achieved, the Energy Performance Indicator (EnPI) was selected, a parameter that relates energy consumption to the volume of water pumped. In this specific case, kWh/m³ values were measured before and after the upgrades. The average value of the indicator decreased from 0.319 kWh/m³ to 0.259 kWh/m³, corresponding to an improvement of approximately 18.8% in specific energy efficiency.

The chart shows the reduction in specific energy consumption, expressed in kWh per cubic meter pumped, across five upgraded installations. In all cases, the ENPI decreases following the introduction of High Efficiency Systems.

This demonstrates that the savings achieved are not linked to a reduction in production or operating hours, but to an actual increase in system efficiency. The analysis highlights a better match between the pump
characteristic curve and the system curve, more efficient behavior at partial loads, and a significant reduction in
losses related to motor and electronic efficiency.

Economic Impact
The annual energy savings of 1,521,603 kWh generate a direct and fully quantifiable economic impact. Assuming
an average electricity cost of €0.20/kWh*, the annual economic benefit can be estimated at approximately
€304,320.60. Considering the investment difference between a traditional solution with an asynchronous motor and a system based on a permanent magnet synchronous motor, these savings generally allow for a payback period of less than a year, depending on the operating conditions of the individual sites.

* For the purpose of this evaluation, an average electricity cost of €0.20/kWh is assumed, calculated on the basis of the 2025 average Italian Single National Price (PUN) of approximately €118/MWh, as reported in the 2025 ARERA Annual Report, plus the tariff components regulated by the Authority.

Integration with Photovoltaic Systems
Some installations were integrated with photovoltaic systems, achieving the best overall performance. The combination of high-efficiency motors, variable speed control, and local renewable energy generation made it
possible to reduce electricity consumption from the grid by up to 50%. This result is made possible by the flexibility of inverterbased systems, which continuously adapt operation to energy availability, maximizing self-consumption and improving overall sustainability.

Environmental Impact
Annual energy savings exceeding 1.5 GWh translate into a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Depending on the emission factor of the national energy mix, this reduction can be estimated to amount to 325
tons* of CO₂ avoided each year. This result contributes concretely to the achievement of sustainability targets and the utility’s climate action plans.

* Estimated CO2 reduction was calculated using the Italian national electricity grid emission factor published by ISPRA for 2025, equal to approximately 0.215 kg CO2/kWh.