The first 2 million euros for smart grids and concentrated solar interventions are ready. To use them, a Cluster with 72 members was set up. A good thing for sure, if only because inside there are medium-sized enterprises, research centers and large energy companies: Enel, General Electric-Nuovo Pignone, Terna, Eni.
Il National Technology Cluster “Energy” wants to generate technological development opportunities for the Italian system. The companies sit on the Board of Directors which is chaired by Gian Piero Celata, director of the Energy Technologies department of Enea. Where to start? The first two pilot projects approved and financed with the 2 million euros concern, as mentioned, the development of technologies for smart grids and the accumulation and production of electrical and thermal energy from solar to concentration.
The aggregation has already had the recognition of the MIUR and the support of some Regions and the Province of Trento. The most concrete commitment is to make Italian companies reduce energy costs with a particular eye to small and medium-sized enterprises. The State helps them little and despite the excellence in many sectors, their energy needs are still met with traditional sources.
Positive declarations come from Enea, not new to these forms of aggregation. The Organization is experiencing a season of strong collaboration with the industrial world which promises other developments. This is a very positive result – explained the President Federico Head – because in the Cluster public and private research can work side by side, with the aim of making technological innovation a strategic lever to reduce costs and increase the competitiveness of our businesses. What is missing in Italy, an organic supply chain to reduce energy costs, can find a prototype in the cluster, a model to capitalize on.
In addition to the first two projects, the newly established body is thinking of pilot initiatives on all innovation issues and consolidating research infrastructures. The evidence will come from the ability to transfer new saving and efficiency technologies to industrial production.
The leap in quality of Germany in the production of durable goods this also happened due to the reduction of energy costs. In France the use of nuclear power on a large scale, albeit with old reactors, has led to lower production costs that few people dream of ever reviewing. Efforts, investments and aggregations are everywhere to face the future with adequate means. Not everything and always comes from the balance sheets of companies, to understand each other. To keep up with the times, climate objectives must also be taken into account, and decarbonisation in the first place. A challenge that Italy can overcome with a system approach to the great issue of sustainability.
Post like this, the participation of large companies in the Energy Cluster gives various guarantees. More than what, objectively, is seen in the government's choices. The experience of the National Technological Clusters (CTN) is also an acquired fact. They have been standing since 2012 on priority areas, such as Aerospace, Agrifood, Green Chemistry, means and systems for terrestrial and marine mobility, technologies for living environments. Open networks that government policies should help hands down and without uncertainty. At the regional level, something is moving. But we must be ready to capture those European sector funding that other countries know how to use well and thanks to which so many ideas do not remain in the drawers of researchers. Fortunately.
