The Italian gas pipeline network is among the most extensive in the world. Controlled, well managed, it could suddenly be unusable due to force majeure. For unforeseen events of all kinds. Given the problem, one goes in search of a solution. Always in the case that..... For some weeks at the Polytechnic of Turin they have been studying a system for assessing the energy security of our country. Gas pipelines are the main object of the work started, due to their complexity and for guaranteeing the transport of raw materials. You work in the University Energy Center.
The researchers prepare a mathematical formula capable of translating the risk into an accident probability index. Unfortunate, of course. An interesting work with multiple impacts: economic, statistical, security, intelligence. The study is followed by the police authorities and strategic intelligence services.
The Italian gas transmission network is interconnected with the extra-border networks. Some concern is legitimate. At the origin of the passage of gas in Italy there are agreements that guarantee long-term supplies. Short maintenance breaks with centralized control systems are among the most efficient and use state-of-the-art technology. When Russia and Ukraine argued over gas supplies to Europe in the middle of winter, Italy was concerned only with having adequate reserves for the emergency.
From North to South, gas continued its journey regularly. But the alert on the lattice of pipes must be high. There are dozens of cases of sabotage, aggression, terrorist actions involving such important infrastructures in countries far from Italy. Our energy requirement is 156.2 million tons of oil equivalent. We import almost 80% of oil and gas from abroad, all thanks to the existing infrastructure. Others, as is known, have been planned. We are in first place in Europe, where the average of fossil energy imports has been stuck at 54% for some time.
Energy systems are differentiated and concern the ability of each country to satisfy needs according to political guidelines. Italy has embarked on a good path with a national energy strategy now in the pipeline. This is also why it is right that the existing infrastructures do not give thoughts. Protect us from attacks of any kind. The analysis of the Head of the Security Information Department (DIS) Alessandro Pansa is lucid and acceptable.
Energy security as continuity of supply flow - he says - goes in the twofold direction of avoiding sudden shocks and keeping geopolitical balances and persistent instability under control. The external scenario for ideological or convenience reasons can condition our daily lives. Do we worry too much? The work of the Turin researchers will also affect the systems of other energy sources. Once tested, the applications will be good for the various transport corridors and connected terminals: power plants, refineries, storage sites. Ultimately we should be at the forefront, aware that risk can arise anywhere at human hands and spread. Italy, without triumphalism, therefore takes a serious step forward in the energy-security combination. Francesco Profumo, a professor at the Polytechnic University of Turin and president of the Compagnia di San Paolo, argues that two cultures, two ways of operating hitherto secret - scientific rigor and geopolitical assessments - finally integrate. It's hard not to agree, when an entire country is at risk, fortunately having escaped ruinous acts.
