Sustainability Manager, ABB ELDS Division

PAOLO PERANI works in ABB since 1993, where is covering the role of Sustainability Manager for the ELDS Division (Electrification, Distribution Solutions).

In addition to his role in ABB, he is also:

  • Member of the Council of ANIE Energia (Association of Italian Electrical and Electronic manufacturers)
  • President of the Milan Session of AEIT (Italian Electrical Association, founded in 1897, where most members are coming from Research Centers, Universities, Institutions and major energy and telecom operators)
  • Member of the Executive Committee of T&D Europe, (European Association of all manufacturers of medium and high voltage devices) where he leads the eMobility infrastructure Task Force and he is an active member of the Circular Economy Task force
  • Member of WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development).

Paolo’s career developed in Italy, South Africa and in the Middle East, where he held several managerial positions in Marketing & Sales of low and medium voltage products and systems.

In 2005 he became the responsible of the medium voltage switchgear factory in Dalmine, gaining considerable experience in engineering, project management, production and product development.

In 2015, given his passion for current and future technological trends, Paolo developed the Smart Lab, a laboratory aimed at showing and demonstrating the possibilities offered by new technologies in the field of electrical distribution networks, energy efficiency, smart and micro grids, eMobility, home automation and Industry 4.0. The Smart Lab is included in the official list of Laboratories recognized by the European Union, and it has been visited by nearly 20.000 people so far.

For several years, Paolo was responsible for the University Team and was member of the Nuclear Expert team of ABB.

In 2015, Paolo received the “Excellence at work” award by Confindustria Bergamo.

In his current role as Sustainability Manager, Paolo is responsible for the product sustainability aspects of the ELDS Division, as well as for the project to reduce the carbon emissions of the ELDS factories around the world, in line with the overall ABB sustainability strategy.

In 2021, Paolo was certified as Environmental Expert by IEMA in UK.

Born in 1967, he obtained a master’s degree in electrical engineering at the Politecnico di Milano, Italy, and complemented his preparation at Bocconi University, IMD in Lausanne and University of Chicago School of Business