Integrated benchmarking and self-assessment tool for the wine industry. The amethyst project

The project AMETHYST aimed at developing a benchmarking and self-assessment tool for small and mid-scale wine producers. The tool gives wineries insight in the relative energy and water efficiency of the winery and the potentials to improve this 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. This project is for 50% funded by the European Union Intelligent Energy for Europe programme, with other sponsors such as the Regione Piemonte, The Regulatory Council for the Rioja Wines and ADEME (Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie, Del. Reg. Midi-Pyrénées). This paper presents the concepts and steps followed in the development of the model and the results obtained during the presentation of the tool to European wineries.