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The Academy also functions as a conference centre where companies, scientists and politicians can
discuss renewable energy, energy savings and new technologies.

Samsø Energy and Environment Office, Samsø Energy Agency and the Samsø branch office of the
Danish Energy Service are located in the Energy Academy. From here, they run a broad spectrum of
energy counselling services for commercial and private customers, organise guided energy tours,
workshops and seminars and generally promote ‘energy tourism’ for energy professionals.

Being very active in Europe in the area of energy mix, the Energy Academy is also opening its doors
to visitors from third countries such as Japan.

Website for the initiative: www.energiakademiet.dk
Website for the project: www.visitsamsoe.dk/en/inspiration/energy-academy/

3.7 Public filtered water fountains to prevent plastic waste

On Favignana, a micro-filtered water project began in 2014. 300 000 litres of water have been
distributed to the island’s population through one outdoor fountain. The main objective of the
fountain is to reduce plastic waste. Since 2014, it is estimated that the equivalent of 150 000 plastic
bottles have been saved. The project also has a social impact since the water (natural or sparkling) is
free for local households, which are entitled to up to ten litres per day. Once extracted, the ground
water is micro-filtered. For the time being, the fountain consumes energy supplied locally by a
diesel-operated power plant. However, solar panels will soon be installed on the fountain. The island
of Favignana will need additional units to cover local needs.

3.8 Marine Protected Area (MPA)

Italy intends to develop a network of 54 Protected Marine
Areas (MPAs), which will ultimately include all the Italian
islands. Currently, the Italian network of MPAs is made up
of 27 protected areas. Established by the Ministry of the
Environment in December 1991, the Egadi Islands’ MPA
is the largest marine reserve in the Mediterranean (around
54 000 ha), covering around 25% of the sea’s vulnerable
or protected areas. The size of the area is explained by
the interaction of three marine currents, the nutrients
and the transparency of the water whose hydro-dynamic
conditions facilitate the treatment of waste water. The area
includes the islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo
Water supply and waste reduction project,
Favignana, Italy and the islets of Maraone and Formica. The MPA is managed
jointly by the government and the local community.
The Egadi islands MPA involves various internationally protected habitats and species included in
the Natura 2000 network . One of the most important and best preserved is the Posidonia oceanica
2
seabed (almost 8 000 hectares), which contributes to rich biodiversity (fish nursery), mitigates coastal
erosion and produces oxygen. The species protected include bottlenose and striped dolphins,
sperm whales, storm petrels, sea turtles (especially C. caretta), and, above all, monk seals (Monachus
monachus), repeatedly sighted in the archipelago after being absent from Italy for 60 years. Extensive
formations of vermetid reefs (Dendropoma petraeum) are common along the coasts.
In Favignana, partnership with local fishermen has been very important in establishing the MPA.
Being key partners in the MPA since its establishment in 1991, fishermen are involved in the integrated
coastal management system and the promotion of sustainable development. “Guardians of the Sea”, a
bottom-up initiative, was developed and based on an approach where fisherman are considered “one
of the protected species”.

2 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm

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