The first TecHub of Snam's future is born in Bologna. The first central-eastern district entirely managed with digital technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact, infrastructure safety and operational efficiency in the area. The TecHub is part of a digitization plan of the company's activities which provides for the investment of 500 million euros by 2024.
Specifically, the Bologna TecHub controls over 4 thousand km of methane pipelines, 80 reduction plants and more than 1.000 redelivery points between Emilia-Romagna and Marche. Also, it is one of the 8 Snam principals, distributed throughout the territory, with functions of supervision and control of the activities of the 48 maintenance centers active throughout the country.
The TecHub – reads a note – will employ real-time asset monitoring systems, drones e satellites to support staff in network inspection activities, especially in inaccessible areas, and advanced data analytics solutions for maintenance engineering and predictive maintenance. A campaign has also been launched to monitor fugitive emissions and eliminate them, which leverages new generation tools used by technicians.
In addition, a agreement of collaboration between Snam and the Alma Mater University, in order to start research, development and innovation activities. The areas of collaboration will mainly concern the technologies ofgreen hydrogen and'Industrial IoT (Industrial Internet of Things), as well as potential joint initiatives in the field of education and career guidance and technology transfer, also involving startups.
Digitization is an important point in Snam's strategic plan. In a few years, the integration of the Internet of Things and machine learning will allow the company to transmit, analyze and log in real time a daily amount of data 100 times higher than today (from about 100 gigabytes today to 10 terabytes), from which to draw useful indications for the optimization of asset management.
“The launch of the TecHub in Bologna – he declared Marco Alverà, Chief Executive Officer of Snam – is a key stage in the digitization process of our network, which will become increasingly intelligent, safe and ready for the ecological transition, including through the transport of renewable gases such as biomethane and hydrogen. Thanks to the innovations we are introducing in the area, to support the skills of our people, we want to become the most technologically advanced company in the world in our sector, combining our attention to sustainability and ecosystems with an ethical and virtuous use of data. The Bologna district will be one of Snam's innovation poles, also thanks to the collaboration with the Alma Mater University, the oldest in the world and at the same time one of the most forward-looking".
