Regional energy policies in Italy Alternative Energy sources in Veneto From wooden biomass to energy [ARPAV, 2006]: an alternative source of energy in VENETO I.P.L.A.'s initiatives in PIEMONTE An alternative energy source: "Mucche da biogas" in LOMBARDIA The greatest photovoltaic installation in TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE What is GSE?

 

Regional energy policies in Italy

 

The use of alternative sources of energy is the means through which our society can safe the planet. The first step to achieve this goal is reducing the energy coming from sources such as petrol and gas.

 

Alternative Energy sources in Veneto

 

Nowadays, in Veneto most of the electrical energy comes from thermoelectric equipment; concerning the production of energy, alternative sources contribution is only about 10-11% (UIL, 2006).

During these years, some regional laws tried to increase this production. In particular, starting from 1997 up to 2006, there are four laws which contributed to the promotion of this project:

- Law n. 16, 29/05/1997, for the use of methane gas;

- Law n. 25, 27/12/2000, for regional energetical planning, in particular towards the development of alternative sources of energy;

- Law n. 14, 2/05/2003, for the production of bio-masses;

- Law n. 8, 30/06/2006, for the development in the use of biomasses for energetic aims. (ARPAV, 2006)

 

As these laws indicate, concerning alternative sources of energy, Veneto is promoting in particular the production, the transformation and the use of biomasses. These initiatives are also aimed at improving environment as they may help to:

- reduce the use of fossil combustibles in the production of energy;

- reduce the introduction of gases which alterate the climate; (ARPAV, 2006)

 

 

From wooden biomass to energy [ARPAV, 2006]: an alternative source of energy in VENETO

 

The Italian region of Veneto is actively participating in and promoting some initiatives and programs in the field of renewable sources of energy. In particular, the regional council of Veneto is fostering the development of die wood-energy by supporting the production, collection, transformation and use of wooden biomasses for energetic purposes.

The regional law n.8 of 30 June 2006 promotes some initiatives for the use of wooden biomasses; in particular it fosters:

• The creation and spreading of a net based on the use of wooden biomasses among cities and regions;
• The creation and diffusion of special machinery and facilities for the collection and transformation of biomasses into energy;
• The diffusion of high-efficiency heating generators fuelled by wooden fuel and able to produce thermal energy.
The regional law, which is fostering the creation and diffusion of an alternative and renewable source of energy, has many positive implications. In particular, this system:

 

 

• reduces the use of carbon fuel;
• reduces the emission of noxious gases in the atmosphere (which are affecting the climate on Earth);
• enables carbon dioxide to be captured and absorbed thanks to the creation of arboreal areas;

• fosters the creation and preservation of wooden cultivations.

 

Photo source:  Google. Retrieved on March 28, 2007 from  http://www.green-trust.org/BEFLOGO2.gif

 

I.P.L.A.'s initiatives in PIEMONTE

 

 

Other Italian regions such as Piemonte is working towards the realization of the same initiative. In particular,I.P.L.A Spa. is promoting the transformation of wooden biomass into energy.

This oraganization realized many projects about different issues:

 

-GENETIC RESOURCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGIES

-NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

-FOOD SAFETY

 

Concerning the second topic, IPLA did  many studies of the effect of the environmental conditions on  the soil organic matter characteristic.

 

 

An alternative energy source: "Mucche da biogas" in LOMBARDIA

 

 

Do you know that manure is an extraordinary energy reserve? According to Terenzio Lanfredi [1], an old farmer from Cremona, the function of manure is twofold: it can be used to dung fields and, most importantly, to produce heat and current. Within Lanfredi’s dairy farm, there is a small power plant which works thanks to the manure produced by 800 heads of cattle.

 

How can manure be exploited as an energy source? Let’s see in detail…

Sewage and manure are collected in huge containers: “digesters”, where, in the absence of oxygen and at a constant 40 degrees temperature, they ferment and give off a particular gas, called “biogas”, which is mainly composed of methane. This gas is used by an engine, which is connected to an alternator producing current. The water used to cool the engine warms not only the cattleshed, but also the inhabited rooms of the dairy farm.

 

Photo source8

 

The 35 % of the current obtained at the end of this process is used by the farm, whereas the rest is sold to ENEL. Moreover, the residual material produced by the digesters recycled and used as fertilizer for the fields [1].    

Currently, thanks to this precious property of manure, every year Lanfredi’s plant produces 900.000 kilowatt-hour, this is, the equivalent of 150 families’ needs! This “microeconomics of energy” (Guidi, 2007: 32) represents a small but very important contribution to a less polluted world.

Reference:

[1] Guidi S., “Mucche da biogas”, in Famiglia Cristiana, n. 9, 4 marzo 2007, pags. 32-34.

 

 

The greatest photovoltaic installation in TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE

 

 

 

The greatest photovoltaic installation in Italy is situated in Trentino Alto Adige, where 4000 solar panels cover an area of 5000m2, producing 873 Kwp. The photovoltaic mechanism is installed on the roofs of the “ Cooperativa ortofrutticola Ortler”. The factory is placed in Val Venosta (in the western part of South Tyrol). Unfortunately, this area is characterized by lack of water and the apple plantations need to be watered very often. For this reasons it is required great amount of energy for the water system. Thanks to the presene of warm climate it is possible to use of solar cells which bring the benefit of reducing the costs of energy, as the photovoltaic panels enable to produce 1 milion of Kwh, reducing the CO2 emissions of 510 tons. The money invested in this installation will give a benefit, in fact according to the new  government directives, the renewable energy can  be sold to other Italian regions, which  don’t have this opportunity. 

 

 

What is GSE?

 

 

Gestore dei Servizi Elettrici (GSE Spa) is promoting the use of renewable energy sources in Italy. The Ministry of Economy and Finance together with the Ministry of Economic Development hold this corporation . GSE was founded when the two companies  Acquirente Unico (AU) and Gestore del Mercato Elettrico (GME) merged.

 

Since the beginning GSE has focused on managing and  promoting  renewable energies through activities which encourage the management of the italian market system on the basis of Green certificates.

 GSE issues the Guarantee of Origin (European Directive 2001/77/EC on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market) and RECS (Renewable Energy Certificate System) Certificates[3].-The latter are international voluntary instruments giving evidence of generation from renewable energies-.

 

 

 

The many ACTIVITIES of GSE have a paramount importance, since they manage the scheme incentivising electricity generation from renewable.

In particular, GSE:

 

• buys electricity generated by plants fed by renewable and “assimilated” sources (“CIP-6” electricity) and sells it in the market;
• issues Green Certificates and monitors producers’ and importers’ compliance with the related obligations;
• certifies plants fed by renewables (IAFR-certified plants);
• releases the Guarantee of Origin (GO) of electricity generated from renewables
• certifies combined heat and power generation(co-generation) plants.

 

 

To enhance the role of GSE in the promotion of renewable energies, AEEG (the  Italian electricity & gas regulator) described  it as  “implementing body” for fostering  electricity generation using photovoltaic panels.

 

This use of renewable sources of energy could solve many economical and ecological prombles in southern Italy. According to Luigi Nicolais, Minister of innovation in the public administration:

"Campania and southern Italy could become leaders in the alternative energy sector, which will be pivotal in the development of all European countries today and in the future", in  fact the climatic conditions of southern Italy enable to look at different renewables: wind, photovoltaic, thermal solar and also biomass energy. As regards energy from waste, Italy and in particularly Campania need new strategies and the problem should be tackled in a more scientific way.  Just to start the Enviroment Minister  made a new directive which imposes energy saving and the use of renewable sources in the designing of public buildings.[4]

 

 

 

 

To support the market for renewable energy, many countries have adjusted their policy frameworks in order to promote increased market penetration of RE technologies and the development of an RE manufacturing and service industry.

The national policies in Europe differ largely. There are few countries that have long-term policies, programmes, and complementary support mechanisms in place. In Italy the Government allows regions to make own policies and laws concerning agricultural and forestry issues.