Every time we talk about the decarbonisation of the Italian system, we come up against an energetic stone guest that is green hydrogen. That non-polluting, very profitable source, obtained through electrolysis from water and only with renewable energy. To produce green hydrogen, electrolysers are needed, cutting-edge machines that are rapidly spreading. Their use helps industries to do not generate any more CO2 but there are few in operation.
The guest, however, can be moved to lend a real hand to the transformation processes of Italian industry. It is not for nothing that green hydrogen is also indicated in the plan no-carbon of the former Ilva of Taranto. Unfortunately, Italy does not have a regulatory context that facilitates its diffusion. Far from it. Today, more than ever, there is a need for a national strategy which directs efforts towards the consolidation of the supply chain and the pursuit of decarbonisation objectives".
Contribution to innovation
The proposal does not come from industrialists interested in the diffusion of hydrogen, but from one studio of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. A very useful document, if the government is interested in it first and foremost exploit the valuescientific and industrial hours. It is significant that the brief was born within a public structure that follows the market and investment opportunities useful to the country. Technological innovation is the most delicate game that is played in a global context, where if you lose you don't know when you will be able to recover.
According to CDP, Italy, despite the hesitations accumulated in recent times regarding the energy transition, has some strengths compared to other European countries. Among these there is a manufacturing system that ranks first in the EU for the production of thermal and mechanical technologies convertible to hydrogen. The country has a widespread and reconvertible gas network, as well as a growing production of renewable energy and biomethane.
From a technological point of view, they are elements that "make green hydrogen easily integrated into the energy system". For our part, we would like to remind you that industries such as Tenaris, Snam, Edison have been experimenting with the use of clean hydrogen in the Dalmine steelworks for some time. It is political will, once again, that must establish a framework of rules and encouragement so as not to be left behind. What encourages progress is not the denial of an eco-sustainable route studied for a long time and which can certainly be perfected. We live in times made difficult by ideological interpretations of key issues.
What will the government do?
CDP believes that Italy's geographical position is strategic for the construction of that energy hub for flows from North Africa. The prime minister Giorgia Meloni she will be happy with this step which underpins her Mattei Plan. Before seeing that Plan implemented, however, "incentive mechanisms are needed for the production of hydrogen capable of filling the gap cost gap compared to fossil sources, in addition to those already provided for by the Pnrr". It's a golden opportunity for turning signals.
We are at quid, i.e. the provision of a specific expenditure component to accompany the simplification of the issuing of authorisations. In practice, we need to build an organization plan for the energy supply chain that reserves space for green hydrogen. It may be that CDP is also studying other options to make the task easier for political decision-makers, provided that they do not yet intend to "wage war" in Brussels.
Given the authority of brief which is linked to the package of proposals contained in the European Fit-for-55 and the ambitious objectives for 2030, what opinion will the government give? In the transition, will hydrogen replace natural gas? Yes, but the guest we were talking about must increase the installed capacity from green sources by at least 50%" to replace one fifth of the natural gas used." Do we really want to decarbonise heavy industry (glass, mechanics, steel)? The gas represents 85% of the consumption of the entire Italian manufacturing industry. Will everything change in the next six years? Italy's sustainability is in mission of Cdp, a company controlled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The Minister should give initial feedback to an important "homemade" document and pave the way for the solutions indicated. All that remains is to hope.
