Nuclear power emerges from the mists of Italian politics. The energy option passed through half of Europe including third generation reactors in the taxonomy EU, was voted in the Chamber of Deputies. It may be that the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti talk about it today at the Finance G7 that opened in Niigata in Japan. The three-day summit will discuss global economy, climate change and investments. Italy has the opportunity to highlight the new approach to ecological transition. In the House the confrontation took place on two motions: one from the majority and another from the Azione-Italia Viva group. The approved text strengthens the path for the exit from fossil fuels and relies on more energy carriers. The Democratic Party, 5 Stars and the Green-Left Alliance have protested, but Italy now has a parliamentary document that can bring it into the "nuclear alliance" from which it has been excluded. For those who oppose the new course of energy policy, there is always time to reposition themselves. It would be serious for the left if tomorrow it were to answer to the Italians that it (re)found itself faced with "a choice already made". As for the waste-to-energy plant in Rome, so to speak.
Third generation nuclear power in the energy mix
"Research and experimentation have made enormous strides in recent decades: according to scientists, fourth-generation nuclear power is as safe as it is clean", they wrote Gilberto Piquet Fratin e Vannia Gava, Minister and Deputy Minister of the Environment and Energy Security. In reality, it is not a question of fourth generation nuclear power, but of the technology available today. Let's clarify. « The motion of Action-Italia Viva makes explicit reference, both in the introduction and in the commitments, to those included in the European green taxonomy. We are therefore talking about technologies that are already available, both renewable and nuclear», explains the Prof. Joseph Zollino, professor of energy technology and economics at the University of Padua. The government, however, will try with European partners to include future plants in the national energy mix. Small note in the margin. Given that the leading role in nuclear power belongs to France, the controversies of these days between the two countries risk obscuring the good will of our Minister. Space for diplomacy, then. But let's get back to the merits. Until recently, the Italian strategy for decarbonisation by 2050 envisaged the exclusive use of renewable sources: photovoltaic, wind and, to a lesser extent, biomass. They are necessary, no doubt. Ma What has changed with the vote in Parliament? "The two motions approved show that at the moment there is a very large majority in the Italian Parliament which believes that to decarbonise Italy both nuclear power and renewables are needed," replies Zollino. In the motion presented by the Hon. Daniel Ruffino di Azione, the first signatory, states that in the next 30 years Italy "should install enormous quantities of photovoltaic systems, from 350 to 600 GW, depending on the type of panels and storage systems, against the current 25 GW." Up to 50 GW would be needed for wind power compared to today's 11,8 GW”. Many panels and many wind turbines on land or at sea would lead to a enormous impact on the territory. The environment would suffer without a large energy construct. In short, an Italian harakiri.
A Copernican revolution, but a sure one
«In the approved motions, the points in the introduction must also be read carefully - adds Zollino - not just the commitments. In fact, premises and commitments have been voted on point by point. I am referring in particular to the premises of the Azione-Italia Viva motion, approved by a large majority in the Chamber. Those points read all together represent one Copernican revolution in the approach to energy. They say that to reduce emissions in Italy to zero, the best technological mix includes not only renewables but also nuclear power. And they say it with precise numbers, on the powers to be installed, on land occupation, on costs ». From an operational point of view, the plants would mitigate the problems associated with the variability, seasonality and intermittence of a mix made up solely of renewable sources. They would guarantee an operation of over 8.000 hours per year, compared to around 1.200-1.800 hours for photovoltaics and 2-3 hours for wind power. Italy should build 7 power plants with fission reactors, that is, of the third generation. And this is the real point of the new course. In the world there are dozens under construction that will increase the current fleet of 440 nuclear reactors. Fears, fears for safety? In Europe, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden signed a nuclear cooperation agreement. Evidently they put public safety first and convinced themselves that reactors are useful and know no thoughts. Italy should join that group according to the document approved in the House. "Let me also say that a parliamentary motion on energy with verifiable numbers is not frequent", adds Professor Zollino. Yes, but the debate on technologies, however, still seems open. « As for technologies, the motion of Action-Italia Viva makes explicit reference, both in the introduction and in the commitments, to those included in the European green taxonomy. We are therefore talking about technologies that are already available, both renewable and nuclear ». And about safety? « Current generation nuclear power, the third evolved, is safe, clean and capable of decarbonising, as certified by the Centro Research Municipality. The so-called fourth generation includes several technologies not yet commercially widespread. For some of them the first prototypes are already in operation, others are still in the development phase ». In the future, will we be able to use it too after having built the plants? « Certainly, as happens in every field, the advantages of the fourth generation will lead it to replace the third over the years. As well, once fusion is available, I am convinced we will make very extensive use of it ». The Parliament's vote paves the way, but the construction of new plants is not around the corner, nor is it a given. Moreover, we have the waste from the old power plants in the area and the Sogin public company, in charge of the reclamation, has been placed under a police station. "We have taken note of the evident management problems of the company and of the delays in the process of localization and construction of the national surface warehouse" attacked the deputies of the party of Carlo Calenda and the reality of the radioactive waste scattered throughout Italy is there for all to see. On the billions spent, let's fly over for now. Professor Zollino, without my overemphasis, we are truly at a historic turning point? “We already have safe, clean and competitive nuclear power available. We don't have to wait for the advent of new technologies to start making it again in Italy too”. For savings in energy production and environmental impact, the approved motion reminds us that France with nuclear power has reduced the production of electricity from fossil fuels by 10 percent in 85 years. Italy is back on the road. And if energy policy also needs consensus, don't be afraid to explain clearly what is needed and what is not.
