The transition to clean energy deserves a careful study of priorities, in order not to waste resources and channel public incentives in the best possible way. The halt comes from Federico Testa, president of Enea in an interview published on Lightbox, Terna's blog dedicated to energy. Testa appreciates the government's commitments to promote energy efficiency, "which remains the main strategic axis to be pursued" and hopes that sector policies build on the accumulated experience.
For example, the number one of Enea comments on the maxi incentives of recent years on solar panels which have focused on the quantity rather than the quality of the installations. “If we had spread them, for example, not over five years but over ten, we would now have a more up-to-date and performing generation park. We don't have to make the same mistakes."
Where, for example?
“In the charging infrastructure for electric mobility. Because the somewhat superficial model that is establishing itself is that of installing a charging station every 100 metres, with the mayors who are proud of it. A choice that implies massive investments in distribution networks. Investments which, rightly so, weigh on the bills of households and businesses, which in Italy are already the highest in Europe, with a price component relating to energy that is worth just 36% of the total of what households pay consumers".
And the great suggestion of electric cars which are a direct part of a large parceled system of system balance during recharging at columns, especially those at home?
“A scenario that in the future cannot be excluded at all, but which must be developed gradually and carefully”.
Slow down on charging infrastructure?
"Not at all. In reverse. There is – remarked Testa – another model, perhaps complementary: using the network of existing petrol stations, which needs to be redeveloped. Why not fill up with electricity also, or perhaps especially, in old service stations that have been converted or integrated with the charging infrastructure? For example, with stationary 30 megawatt batteries powered by medium voltage to be installed in the spaces of the old service stations, which act as an infrastructure for balancing energy production and consumption in the area".
“Beware of the fast improvised all-electric race” however warns the President of ENEA. “It makes sense if we really generate all electricity with renewables. In any case, paying close attention, also here, to the impact on the electricity distribution networks. Today, houses have in most cases a 3 kilowatt supply, which makes an average of 9 kW per landing. If you convert everything back to electricity, including heating, the power required would increase fourfold: 40 kW per landing. A significant increase, which would entail the need to replace all the internal and external electrical wiring of the condominium. An operation that needs to be done in perspective, but gradually and with sufficiently mature technologies. Networks need to grow, modernize, develop, increase their security, without having to endure hasty stress. Not to mention the need to remunerate the investments of those who in the meantime have brought gas to all our homes, which in the event of a rapid decommissioning should in any case still be remunerated through the bills”.
