Energy, 'integrate smart electricity grids to reduce costs'

'Continuing to invest in innovation is the key to keeping the electricity and energy system safe, flexible and resilient'. This was said by Franco Cotana, CEO of Ricerca sul sistema energetico Italia (Gse Group), at the 31st meeting held in Rome of the executive committee of Isgan (International smart grid action network), the leading global body engaged in the development and integration of smart electricity grids, chaired globally by Rse.

During the proceedings (which also involved operators such as Terna, Enel and Areti, as well as representatives from the European Commission and the Joint Research Centre), the centrality of smart grids as an enabling infrastructure for the transition emerged. 'Modern, digital and intelligent grid infrastructures are the true enabler of the energy transition,' stressed Cotana. The integration of different energy sources is a decisive lever for optimising flows, containing costs for businesses and citizens, and strengthening the overall stability of the grid. Balancing different sources also makes it possible to manage the variability of renewables and reduce the risk of blackouts.

More than 40 delegates from 18 countries took part in the meeting in Rome. ISGAN's proceedings were opened by Prof. Franco Cotana, followed by speeches by Luciano Martini, ISGAN Chair and Director of RSE's Generation Technologies and Materials Department, joined by representatives of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, Marilena Barbaro and Stefania Crotta. Completing the picture was the contribution of Michele de Nigris, head of the IEA Coordination Group on Energy System Flexibility, who illustrated the most recent developments in energy system flexibility.

Rse's contribution is developed on several levels: on an international level, with its participation in Mission Innovation (a global initiative launched at Cop21 in Paris in 2015) and, from 2021, by leading the Green Powered Future Mission. The collaboration with ENTSO-E has also led to the definition of strategic documents for the development of European networks, including the 2020-2030 and 2024-2034 roadmaps and the more recent Implementation Plan 2026-2030.

At the national level, the support activity for the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security contributed to the definition of the calls for tenders under Ministerial Decree 386/2023, with resources amounting to 221 million euro distributed over six strategic areas, from network digitisation to hydrogen technologies, including co-creation activities with stakeholders and the preparation of more than 130 technical FAQs.