Minister Pichetto: “Fundamental for decarbonisation, today we share our vision with businesses and industries”.
Rome, 26 November – Short, medium and long-term time horizons, with different scenarios between now and 2050, for the diffusion of renewable and low carbon emission hydrogen: this is how the National Hydrogen Strategy, created by the Ministry of Energy, is outlined. Environment and Energy Security and presented at the GSE headquarters in Rome.
“Hydrogen is one of the fundamental solutions for achieving the decarbonisation objectives, which we have clearly outlined in the PNIEC and must lead us to “Net Zero” by 2050. Our Strategy is divided into different scenarios, knowing that the success of the vector hydrogen will depend on multiple and transversal themes. Today the government – concludes Pichetto – therefore wants to share with businesses and industries a vision of a sector that can already count on overall resources exceeding 6 billion, but which still needs to develop a solid market and must therefore be accompanied with new tools, together to strong inter-institutional cohesion”.
The national strategy is structured through a matrix that sees three possible scenarios developed over a long-term time horizon. The strategy estimates a “national demand” between 6 and 12 Mtoe with a corresponding need for electrolysers varying from a few GW up to a few tens of GW depending on the context conditions. The text makes it clear that to decarbonise consumption, a combination of different sources will be needed, including the increase in production from renewables, the development of “Carbon Capture Storage”, biofuel, biomethane and, last but not least, hydrogen, even possibly accompanied by the resumption of nuclear production. Only in this way, it is explained, will it be possible to satisfy demand from non-programmable and intermittent sources, with the ability to transport large quantities of energy over long distances and at competitive costs.
If therefore, we read in the text, in the coming decades each alternative will find an application space, the variables that affect hydrogen are indicated as the decarbonisation of end uses (heavy transport, maritime and aviation sectors), the integration of the energy system, the creation of a strong and competitive supply chain.
Other aspects to consider are the increase in security of energy supplies and the related contribution of hydrogen, the achievement of the objective “Italy as an energy hub in the Mediterranean”, on which cooperation activity has a significant impact, a certification system that ensure not to relocate emissions but to concretely contribute to their reduction, as well as the development of research and innovation that can create new products and components.
“In the medium and long term – it is explained in the Strategy – the development of ‘large scale’ production and a dedicated infrastructure will make it possible to reduce production costs”, and equally “road logistics of gaseous and liquid hydrogen can be support in the medium term”. The “Southern Hydrogen Corridor” project is mentioned in the document, of which the Italian backbone is an integral part, which “will make Italy a European hydrogen hub, encouraging import flows”.
The initiative to present the Strategy, in the Auditorium of the Energy Services Manager, was attended by the Minister Pichetto, the President of the GSE Paolo Arrigoni and the Head of the Energy Department of the MASE Federico Boschi, who illustrated the Strategy. Also present in a round table moderated by the journalist Romina Maurizi (Quotidiano Energia), were the Delegate of the President of Confindustria for Energy Aurelio Regina, the Executive Director of Snam’s Decarbonisation Unit, Piero Ercoli, the Director of the Energy Division of ARERA Massimo Ricci and the President of H2IT Alberto Dossi.
Minister Pichetto and the Hydrogen Debacle: A Cheeky Take on Italy’s Energy Strategy
Rome, where the ancient meets the absurd and now… hydrogen? Buckle up, ladies and gentlemen!
So, Minister Pichetto has rolled out the red carpet for hydrogen, our new best friend in the battle for a “Net Zero” reality by 2050. And why not? If the Italians can put a man on the moon, surely they can figure out hydrogen, right? But let’s not get too carried away with the balloons just yet.
The National Hydrogen Strategy: What Is It Good For?
Picture this: a National Hydrogen Strategy so grand it’s practically screaming, “We mean business!” It’s all about laying out short, medium, and long-term goals in the most dramatic fashion possible, akin to a soap opera – cliffhangers included. From the cozy confines of the GSE headquarters in Rome, Pichetto touted a robust national demand for hydrogen ranging from 6 to 12 Mtoe. That’s no small fry of energy, folks!
Ah, but there’s a catch! In the fine print, we learn that we’ll need a vast array of fancy equipment like electrolysers, which will need to turn out GW* levels of energy, depending on market conditions, weather reports, and possibly the mood of the officials involved.
This is like trying to control a wild beast with numbers and charts. Are we prepared for the dance it requires? Time will tell—but it’s bound to be a spectacle!
Cocktails of Energy Solutions
Now, let’s mix things up. Pichetto emphasized that hydrogen isn’t the sole superstar in this show; it’s part of a cocktail of energy solutions! Think of it more like a fruit salad rather than a one-hit-wonder. We’re talking about sun-soaked renewables, the faint hope of Carbon Capture Storage, mystical biofuels, and maybe even a sprinkle of nuclear power. Why not? Go big or go home, right?
And let’s not forget all those schemes to transform Italy into an “energy hub”—it’s a bit like claiming you’ll turn your living room into a disco. It might happen in theory, but then reality hits. First, you need to convince the neighbors to stop complaining about the noise!
The Plan Media and Off the Charts
The government is predicting a mighty “Southern Hydrogen Corridor”. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Imagine a glorious highway dedicated solely to hydrogen, complete with security checkpoints and possibly disco balls. As delusional as it might sound, if Italy wants to strut onto the European stage, it needs all the flair it can muster!
As evidenced by the illustrious crowd at the recent strategy unveiling—ranging from energy bigwigs to journalists—there’s certainly a splash of hope. Pichetto’s audience contained more energy executives than a power plant on game day!
Conclusion: The Laughter and the Lessons
So, what do we take away from this dazzling performance? While hydrogen may hold promise, delivering on these ambitious plans will demand cohesion, communication, and a bit of good ol’ Italian charm.
If we’re lucky, maybe Italy will not only giggle its way towards decarbonisation but also lead the charge in ushering an era where hydrogen isn’t just a science fiction fantasy but a daily reality. Or, at the very least, let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a comedic farce. Because really, who wants to see their energy future become a punchline?
Minister Pichetto: “Fundamental for decarbonisation, today we share our vision with businesses and industries”.
Rome, 26 November – The Ministry of Energy has unveiled a comprehensive National Hydrogen Strategy aimed at fostering the adoption of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen technologies. This initiative was presented at the GSE headquarters in Rome and outlines a detailed roadmap spanning short, medium, and long-term time horizons, envisioning various scenarios leading up to the year 2050.
“Hydrogen is one of the fundamental solutions for achieving the decarbonisation objectives, which we have clearly outlined in the PNIEC, steering us towards achieving ‘Net Zero’ by 2050. Our Strategy is divided into various scenarios, acknowledging that the success of hydrogen as an energy vector will hinge on a multitude of interconnected themes. Today, the government – concludes Pichetto – aims to collaborate with businesses and industries to project a vision for a thriving sector that is currently backed by substantial resources exceeding 6 billion euros. However, to fully realize this potential, the market must be developed further and necessitates the introduction of innovative tools, alongside strong inter-institutional collaboration,” he stated emphatically.
The national strategy is intricately structured through a matrix that identifies three potential scenarios over an extensive timeframe. The strategy anticipates national hydrogen demand to fall between 6 and 12 Mtoe, necessitating electrolysis capacities that could range from several gigawatts to tens of gigawatts, depending on specific contextual conditions. The document underscores the necessity of a multifaceted approach to decarbonization, highlighting that a combination of renewable energy expansion, the advancement of Carbon Capture Storage technology, along with biofuels, biomethane, and hydrogen—potentially coupled with a revival of nuclear energy production—is essential. This multifarious strategy is essential to meet the energy demand stemming from non-programmable and intermittent energy sources, ensuring the efficient transportation of substantial energy volumes over long distances at competitive costs.
If in the forthcoming decades each alternative source will carve out its own niche, the variables impacting hydrogen’s utilization are significant. These include the decarbonisation of heavyweight sectors such as transportation, maritime activities, and aviation, coupled with the integration of the energy system and the establishment of a robust and competitive supply chain.
Other critical considerations encompass enhancing energy supply security alongside hydrogen’s contribution, as well as the overarching aim of positioning Italy as a pivotal energy hub in the Mediterranean. Collaborative efforts in this regard are vital, as is the establishment of a certification system that verifies emissions reductions rather than mere relocation. Moreover, advancing research and innovation must be prioritized to develop novel products and components that will propel this sector forward.
“In the medium and long term – the Strategy highlights – the expansion of large-scale hydrogen production and the establishment of dedicated infrastructure will facilitate significant reductions in production costs.” Furthermore, it notes that “logistical frameworks for both gaseous and liquid hydrogen will receive substantial support in the medium term.” A key project referenced in the document is the “Southern Hydrogen Corridor,” which will integrate with Italy’s hydrogen backbone and is poised to establish the country as a key European hydrogen hub, thereby bolstering import flows.
The strategy was introduced during an event held in the Auditorium of the Energy Services Manager, attended by key figures including Minister Pichetto, GSE President Paolo Arrigoni, and the Head of the Energy Department of MASE, Federico Boschi, all of whom contributed insights on the strategy’s framework. The presentation also featured a roundtable discussion, moderated by journalist Romina Maurizi from Quotidiano Energia, including notable attendees such as Aurelio Regina, Delegate of the President of Confindustria for Energy; Piero Ercoli, Executive Director of Snam’s Decarbonisation Unit; Massimo Ricci, Director of the Energy Division of ARERA; and Alberto Dossi, President of H2IT.
