Chairman of ENEA: Federico Testa

The climate crisis is now on the global agenda. Italy has its dues to pay. Where does Federico Testa, an economics professor and Chairman of ENEA, the public core of our energy research, stand and how does his view compare to the thriving doomsayers and climate change deniers?

“It’s clear that things are changing and we need to take action. ENEA’s study, which has been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks, says that sea levels on Italy’s coastline will rise by more than a meter by 2100, and could rise to two and a half meters in cases of low pressure, bad weather conditions and offshore wind. With all the consequences that come with them. Such that we have already been contacted by Assoporti, among others, in order to understand how to manage port logistics when the docks go underwater. It's reality, but I don't think we need to subscribe to the doomsayers’ club and risk an entirely counterproductive reaction, like there's nothing that can be done, so we should do nothing. There’s a lot that can and should be done. We must act accordingly”.

In terms of policies that are being implemented, do you think that something different or something more should be done, given Italy’s constraints in terms of public budget and available resources? Is there a way to create a virtuous cycle to turn the challenge into at least somewhat of a business and development opportunity?

“The measures envisioned by the Italian government are absolutely achievable. There are obvious opportunities for development and innovation, as made evident by the industry chain created by energy efficiency incentive policies, which remains the main strategic axis to navigate. But all this clearly has links to the resources available, and that is why the central issue should not be so much the amount of resources available, but rather how to direct resources to the top priorities, the most urgent things to get done”.

The most recent bonus for restoring building façades, for instance?

“In recent years, we have tried to link ecobonuses and energy efficiency works to real benefits for communities, and at the same time resist pressure from lobbies. This happened when, for example, we reduced incentives for awnings and raised incentives for external thermal insulation buildings, which have a much more significant result in terms of cost-benefit ratio”.

So not an easy move in a country that has made numerous mistakes, like the ill-conceived mega incentives on solar panels, which focused all its attention on the quantity rather than the quality of the works.

“Exactly, which is why all the speculative funds have come to invest in Italy because we have guaranteed the highest incentives in the world for renewables. It’s certainly true that we had to take back some ground, but if we had scaled the incentives better, we could have benefited from the effect of the experience gained over time. If we had spread them across ten years rather than five, for instance, we would now have more updated and better performing generation facilities. We must not make the same mistakes”.

Where, for example?

“Well, recharging infrastructure for electric mobility. Because the somewhat superficial model that has started to establish itself is to install recharging stations at 100-meter intervals, which mayors love to boast about. A choice that involves massive investment in distribution networks. So these are investments which, as should be the case, affect bills for households and businesses, bills which, in Italy’s, case are already some of the highest in Europe, with a price for energy services which is just barely 36% of what consumers pay”.

And the allure of electric cars, which are direct elements of a massive parcelled system balance when recharging at the stations, most of all at home?

“A scenario which should by no means be excluded in the future, but which should be developed gradually and carefully, for the same reasons I mentioned earlier”.

Slowing down on recharging infrastructure?

“Not at all, quite the opposite. There is another, maybe even complementary model, using the existing network of filling stations, which itself needs to be upgraded. Why not refill electricity too, and maybe predominately at old filling stations converted or integrated with the recharging infrastructure? With, for instance, stationary 30-megawatt batteries powered at medium voltage, to be installed in the place of old service stations, as infrastructure that balances energy production and consumption in the area and has the added advantage of shortening the charging time for electric vehicles due to the power available. Which is all based on a picture that complements the stations, which can have benefits like car parks for company employees, where the cars remain stationary for a predictable period of time, but stay off the roadsides”.

It seems obvious that the race towards an electricity system with really extensive infrastructure could be worth the risk of some minor operating errors. Is that the case?

“Be wary of the makeshift all-electric fast ride. It does makes sense for us to generate all our electricity from renewables. But we have to take care here over the effect this could have on electricity distribution grid networks. Most houses today have a 3-kilowatt supply, with an average of 9 kW per floor. If you switch everything back to electricity, including the heating, the power required would increase fourfold: 40 kW per floor. A significant increase, which would entail replacement of all electrical wiring, both inside and outside the building. An operation that does need to be done, but in a gradual manner with tried and tested technologies. Networks have to grow, modernise, develop, improve security, without coming under undue stress. Not to mention the requirement to compensate the investments of companies that meanwhile have brought gas to all the houses, which in the case of sudden decommissioning should somehow be compensated through the bills”.

On the issue of networks and security, ENEA is coordinating the INTERPLAN project to create an integrated European system of energy grids in the name of efficiency security. So, where are we at with that?

"The project was launched in November 2017, with around € 3 million in funding, and involves collaboration with Europe's leading research centres and significant contributions from industry players and grid operators who will need to ensure the fastest operational transfer of results. It’s a matter of developing and implementing the latest smart technologies for advanced grid management and control by establishing protocols and methodologies that are integrated across countries, which would have a series of benefits on the system’s stability and safety, starting from extra-high-voltage grids, through medium voltage grids, to end users. Furthermore, in terms of the Integrated European Energy Networks project, ENEA is involved in construction and testing, at its Casaccia research centre, for a trial plant for high voltage DC transmission with innovative conversion devices and systems, thanks to a research project started with Toshiba and funded by NEDO, Japan’s governmental support organisation. The aim is to increase transport capacities through a reduction in grid losses over long distances”.

A forced, yet difficult energy transition. So, let’s try to look forward: nuclear fusion, presented as the possible solution to energy problems. Intrinsically safe technology, with infinite applications, able to recycle the waste within itself and transform it into new fuel. ENEA is a global pioneer. How are we doing? When could the fusion energy dream become an actual reality?

"Italy, with ENEA, is definitely doing really well. We are in contact with leading research centres, including MIT in Boston. Italy is a candidate for the implementation of one of the most advanced applications, the DTT (Divertor Tokamak Test), which we are building in Frascati. It’s an experimental plant to research materials and manage incredibly high temperatures, with € 600 million in investments over the next six years, 500 researchers who will come from all over the world to work at Frascati. And that’s not to mention our new challenge with Terna in getting the large amounts of electricity, which will serve as the “lighter”, to the plant there via a new super-cable. The estimated time scales for the operation of nuclear fusion energy are long, but not too long. I would say, realistically, that the first operations centre could be available around 2050, thanks to the work we are doing in Frascati”.