Hera Group, an Emilian multiutility listed on the Stock Exchange, has forecast a overall investment approximately 45 million for two projects under the "Climate City Contract" Bologna Climate Mission, a path that aims to guide the city towards climate neutrality by 2030.
The two projects concern the development of district heating network, with the interconnection of existing systems and the construction of a Power to Gas plant, which will exploit the sludge from the purifier and the biogas produced by it for the conversion of green hydrogen into biomethane to be introduced into the city distribution network.
For the construction of these works, Hera was awarded approx 27 million euro under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
The two projects are part of the Group's strategy to contribute significantly to the reduction of gas emissions.
The Power to Gas project
THEPower to Gas plant of Hera, named SynBioS (Syngas Biological Storage), one of the first projects of this type at an international level, will be built inside the IDAR treatment plant in Corticella.
The new plant will convert renewable electricity (photovoltaic or wind power) and waste water into biomethane which can be used in the city distribution network. Excess renewable energy can be stored and used when needed, without being lost as often happens with renewables. The total investment will be 10 million euro, of which 8,1 financed by the PNRR.
When fully operational, the plant will produce 1,1 million cubic meters of green gas, useful for covering the annual consumption of 1.200 families in Bologna for savings in emissions of approximately 1.450 tons of carbon dioxide per year (the annual impact of 400 Automobiles).
Commissioning is expected by 2024.
The district heating project
Il district heating project foresees it development of a network of about 8,3 km, mainly within the municipality of Bologna, with the aim of connect four district heating systems managed by the Hera Group and today physically separate: Caab-Pilastro, Berti-San Giacomo, Fiera and Navile. Through their interconnection yes will recover the most heat produced by the waste-to-energy plant in Granarolo dell'Emilia and the pool of users that can potentially be connected to the network will be expanded.
The realization of a single district heating system, by 2026, will guarantee savings in fossil primary energy of approximately 3.938 tonnes of oil equivalent per year (approximately 32% less than the current plant configuration), allowing for a reduction in CO2 emissions of 9.000 tonnes per year.
Thanks to the subsequent development of secondary distribution networks, the reduction of CO2 emissions will exceed 15.000 tons per year.
Overall, once fully operational, the two projects will allow for a reduction of approximately 16.500 tons of CO2 emissions, with a positive environmental balance for the entire city.
Contribution to the carbon neutrality of Bologna
“Renewables, energy efficiency and the circular economy will be the protagonists of the process towards decarbonization of our country. It is a challenge in which everyone must play their part and the Hera Group supports the public administrations, businesses and citizens of the territories served to achieve these ambitious objectives. The funding from the PNRR that we have obtained allows us to accelerate our plan investments for carbon neutrality. The two projects, together with others already planned in the same area, will lead to a contribution for the reduction of CO2 emissions of over 35.000 tons per year, equal to the energy consumption of 10 families. Other initiatives are being studied and could further increase our contribution to the city's carbon neutrality,” he said Horace Iacono, Chief Executive Officer of Hera Group.
Hera aims to reduce emissions by 37% by 2030.
