The logic of clusters is also advancing in Italy. The one being promoted in recent days by ENEA and other important industrial and academic partners in the energy field will develop at least for the next three years, at a turning point in the market and in research. But it remains a very good idea, which has brought together the top managers of eight companies in the "National Energy Technology Cluster", with the aim of reducing costs in widespread production processes. Leading brands such as Eni, Enel Distribuzione, Terna, Nuovo Pignone, Cnr, Consorzio Ensiel will be part of it.
Enea is responsible for presiding over and coordinating activities. The organizational model takes on the challenge of innovation, also borrowing what has been done for some time in the US and other countries. But how does the cluster work? For the next three years, researchers and managers will work together to make energy innovation a factor in reducing costs, increasing safety and competitiveness. There are big companies, but the first effort will be to help small and medium-sized ones. That segment that suffers from procurement costs, lack of infrastructure and gap with foreign competitors.
Federico Testa, president of Enea, said that the other major objective is to coordinate public and private research. A perspective that can make the national industry make that qualitative leap after years of errors and disputes between groups, which have had the effect of delaying a systemic approach. The first steps are two pilot projects: smart grids and technologies for renewable sources and energy storage.
The benefits will be able to expand in every sector, hand in hand with the adaptation of the environments in which to place the products coming out of the laboratories. The group follows, however, similar experiences made in the last four years in aerospace, agri-food, green chemistry, sustainable mobility and health. The government supports them all.
For the Energy Cluster to be successful, economic resources are needed. Encouraging that with the announcement of the establishment of the Cluster, the promoters are receiving expressions of interest in joining. The audience could also expand to the 15 Regions that have declared that they want to be part of it.
