Terna, the company that manages the national electricity grid, signed on today an agreement with the Sicily Region and with CDP for interventions for the safety of the electricity system and the development of the regional territory. The goal, explains a note, is to optimize the synergies between the subjects involved in order to implement projects of environmental and territorial sustainability in the field of energy, also in close collaboration with the local administrations in defining the necessary actions and interventions on various territories and with the involvement of the population. According to the agreement they will be 614 million euros invested in the next five years, with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti which will provide institutional support and technical, economic and financial assistance and advice to the Region.
Here are the areas in which Terna's infrastructural renewal will focus:
NEW DEVELOPMENT WORKS FOR THE REGIONAL ELECTRICITY NETWORK
- The realization of a new 380 kV power line that will connect the Chiaramonte Gulfi power station to that of Ciminna, to improve the continuity of the electricity supply in the central area of the Region.
- The construction of a new 380 kV power line that will connect the electrical station of Paternò (CT) with that of Priolo (SR) with the aim of increasing continuity of service and stability of tensions in eastern Sicily.
- In order to overcome congestion on the high voltage grid in the central eastern area of the island, the construction of a new 380/150 kV transformer station in Vizzini.
- Interventions rearrangement of the electricity grid Palermo need Catania e Messina.
- A project useful to strengthen the interconnection of the island with the Continent through the construction of a HVDC connection between Sardinia and the mainland which will make it possible to implement the progressive decarbonisation plan for the electricity system.
- An Italy-Tunisia electricity interconnection project envisaged by the intergovernmental agreement signed in April 2019.
RENEWAL INTERVENTIONS
Terna undertakes to carry out renewal works on the existing regional electricity grid aimed at increase stability and security of the energy transmission service as well as the resilience of infrastructures to exceptional climatic events. In this sense, the Company will increase plant renewal actions by employing not only modern construction techniques increasingly respectful of the environment, but also materials and components more performing innovations.
THE SMART ISLANDS
Terna, CDP and the Sicilian Region share the opportunity to promote in the smaller islands interventions for the development of renewable sources, through the construction of photovoltaic systems, wind farms or other technologies and interventions aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, thanks to the increase in energy efficiency.
Furthermore, Terna undertakes to carry out projects of electricity connection of the smaller islands where the technical, economic and morphological conditions allow it.
CDP will evaluate the financial support for the initiatives proposed and developed by Terna as well as considering with Terna itself the opportunity to integrate local electricity production sources with innovative technologies developed in partnership between Terna, CDP and other entities.
LINE SAFETY: GREEN CORRIDORS PROJECT
To minimize the risk of tall trees colliding with the conductors and supports, in close collaboration with the Region and in synergy with Local Authorities the project will be studied and developed “Green Corridors”, which provides for the creation of ecological corridors along the routes of existing power lines in wooded areas through the selective planting of native plant essences with controlled regrowth.
ENHANCEMENT OF ENERGY PRODUCED FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES AND REDEVELOPMENT OF DISUSED SURFACES
Terna and the Sicilian Region promote the development of storage systems through batteries or pumping systems aimed at fully exploiting the production of energy from renewable sources and the integrated and sustainable exploitation of large pumping basins.
Furthermore, in relation to the production and storage of energy from renewable sources, they promote the valorisation of abandoned and unusable regional surfaces for other purposes (former quarries, exhausted mines, brownfield sites) through the installation of photovoltaic systems.
To this end – with the direct collaboration and support of CDP – they undertake to carry out a survey of the suitable regional surfaces and to produce a project intervention plan. Surfaces suitable for the production of energy from renewable energy sources will also be identified, in which the coexistence of particular agricultural crops placed under raised photovoltaic systems.
TECHNOLOGICALLY INNOVATIVE INTERVENTIONS FOR SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OF THE TERRITORY AND THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK
To increase the safety of the electricity service, Terna will implement predictive maintenance interventions using the new technologies available today.
In particular, Terna will install appropriate sensors in strategic points of its power lines which, combined with other monitoring techniques, such as satellites and drones, will make available such a number of data and information on the state of health of the power lines and the adjacent area that will allow their efficiency and safety and will be able to contribute to the optimal management of the territory.
In collaboration with the Sicilian Region, which will also be able to support them through public contributions to be identified as part of the measures of its Regional Operational Program (POR).
