Among the prospects for an economic recovery after the coronavirus emergency are new energy models. Europe for the future will do well to listen to what the international agencies say. Heads of government and ministers put aside any certainty and open up to qualified contributions for something innovative. An opportune lesson, because the lives of millions of people are at stake.
Faith Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) the other day signed the last report on the energy potential of waste and on the ability to use biogas to reduce consumption and supplies of natural gas and above all to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Birol, an economist, is one of the most authoritative voices in the world of energy, a scholar of climatic phenomena and is strongly signaling the Report to the international authorities. According to “The Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane” all over the world, waste is still little used to power energy systems. On the contrary, a wise industrial capacity would cover 20% of gas demand. Useful waste is produced everywhere, on farms, farms, farms, it just needs to be managed differently. The published document is very suitable for countries like Italy where these evaluations, we hope, will be received in a constructive spirit.
Italy imports 80% of the energy needed to meet its needs and renewables are growing, but below expectations. The mountain of waste produced and processing waste are, on the other hand, largely underused. In places where biogas distribution plants have been built, the benefits have been seen. Agricultural or livestock residues that become essential fuel to produce primary energy with low environmental impact. And lower bills, which is no small thing. From North to South there are thousands of structures capable of powering the plants. The Italian Biogas Consortium with the farms are grappling with the construction of 20 new biomethane liquefaction plants. The International Energy Agency says that we need to encourage the commissioning of this type of plant. Just as the gas distribution companies, in turn, must increase the capacity to put gas of this type into the network. Snam has announced 50 million euros of investments for 150 natural gas and biomethane service stations within the next three years.
In short, biogas and biomethane are a solution (not the only one, evidently) suitable for managing the transition towards new energy models. “For the moment we are missing out on this opportunity to reduce waste and therefore harmful emissions,” says Fatih Birol. The real point, the obstacle, is determination in political choices and economic resources. Can we continue to "reject waste" as an energy source?
Green deals – Italian or European – only make sense if they change behavior at the root. Italian politics in the last three years has much to reproach for this. Those who have prided themselves on blocking infrastructures, technologies and new plants have the opportunity to take a step back. To give space to the competent without chasing non-existent "stars". “Government support is needed to guarantee benefits for energy, transport, agriculture and the environment” reads the “Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane”. And again: biogas and biomethane can be produced in every part of the world depending on production costs and the availability of raw materials, which will grow by 40% by 2040. The IEA Report is not closely related to the Covid19 epidemic, but it has become an extraordinary tool in the hands of those who lead countries like Italy to face the transition to a new model of society. Most of all, without demagoguery.
