Scenarios for the future of renewable energy
In Italy, the traditional sources will constitute the main reservoir energy for many years. And, even though it has long fantasized about the 'next' end of oil and despite the difficulty 'to meet the ever-growing demand, We will continue to live with the addiction barrel for a few decades.
Just recently the CEO of Eni, Paolo Scaroni, estimated in 70 years the world's reserves. According Scaroni our planet would the availability 'of reserves called "safe" over a billion barrels. To these would be added to the reserves, "probable" and the "possible". For a total of about five billion barrels of oil. Useless, so, too many illusions about rapid changes dictated by the epochal 'magnificent and progressive' of the Green Energy.
And yet it remains imperative, better, dutiful, imagine a model of development different from the current one. That, of course, starting to show some breathlessness. Especially for a country like ours that matter most 'of 80 per cent of the primary energy it needs. New scenarios therefore can not be separated from a serious argument on alternatives to fossil sources. Whose progress will depend 'on the capacity especially' that we will have to invest in research and development.
Produce research (not only in the energy field, of course) is also used to conquer new markets and form a wealth of intelligence qualified Italian companies needed more 'competitive. The real miracle and Italian 'was in fact, in recent years, what made the best of our businesses, at least until now, have been able to stay on the market despite the inefficiencies of the country system.
Sensitive issues and even more 'decisive at a time of economic and social crisis. Themes, therefore, which can not also relate to the energy sector, just 'cause it also depends on the quality' and the amount 'of research implementation. Pursuit of excellence and 'certainly the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano, directed by Professor Ennio Macchi, which seems rather skeptical about the current situation:' To have a clear idea of the situation and 'good to make an introduction. Except as geothermal and hydropower, in Italy has always been, renewable sources are standing by incentives. Which are often entity 'so high as to multiply the kilowatt-hour electricity sold to the grid up to five or six times compared to the market prices and depending on the different types. That's why 'we must continue to do research: to achieve breakthroughs able to bring in the future, renewable sources to real competitiveness.''
In fact, the public often confuses the two issues that should instead remain absolutely distinct diffusion of renewable energy plants 'traditional' and research and development of this type of sources. The first makes no sense without a strong investment in seconds. Just to understand, thanks to incentives, and 'can install a large number of PV systems without developing a technology more' evolved the present and get a reduction in manufacturing costs. 'But this has nothing to do with the real competitiveness' . '
Not only that. Disturbances caused to the electricity grid from some renewable sources such as solar or wind power, intermittent and random, are not significant in the case of weak diffusion plant. Why 'network and' large enough to absorb any small variations. But the problem would arise in case of great expansion. 'That's why' need research on management 'smart' network, storage systems and networks' points out Macchi. Research, development and innovation. Almost a mantra to be repeated ad infinitum. Without it, there and 'ability' to compete. That's why 'are studied at the Polytechnic technologies more' advanced in the field of solar energy, beginning with solar thermal and concentrated from basic research on nanomaterials for photovoltaic cells of the third generation. What should combine low cost per square meter and high conversion efficiencies. 'The industry has really great potential'' Macchi confirmation.
In the department will also develop technologies related to the rational use of biomass cogeneration solutions with advanced or production of biofuels. Useful both for transportation and for sustaining networks of natural gas. They then studied the hydrogen production process, the smart grid, distributed generation, micro-generation and tri-generation. In addition of course to techniques and systems, CO2 sequestration and the so-called nuclear "new generation".
Quality research 'in fact. Also because 'in the DNA of the Polytechnic and' this is a strong link with the companies. 'Ours' in fact applied research for industrial purposes'. And the major industry in some way does its part. 'However we dialogue with small and medium-sized Italian companies' funding sources are still higher utilities and companies' oil, such as Enel, Eni, Edison / EDF, British Petroleum or A2A. Contributions also come from the Ministry of Universities' and Research, from the Economic Development and the Region of Lombardy. 'We use the funds then settimoProgramma European Union Framework and help of Cariplo Foundation. Excluding current expenses, the Department of Energy is self-financing with a figure of between six and seven million Euros per year, of which about 50% and 'destined to renewables.'
However, even if compared to the Italian, the University of Milan remains a privileged as a 'dowry' financial comparison (inevitable) and 'with what is happening outside the national borders. 'Abroad loans are much higher. Certainly in the public and probably also private. Let's talk about two or three times what they perceive the Italian university system. The point is, 'that in Italy there is a large concentration of industrial players that except honorable exceptions, do not have much ability to fund research.'
On the other hand the universities', short of funds, they very rarely equipped laboratories capable of arousing the interest of big. Almost a vicious circle from which it seems difficult to escape. 'You think then that while are announced new power plants in Italy are lacking teachers, nuclear scientists and engineers' says Professor Marco Ricotti, Deputy Director of the Department of Energy. 'Compared to the early 80s, when graduating about 250 students per season, just today we reach the 100 graduates per year. A number unable to meet the new requirements proposed by the resumption of nuclear power, because 'the domestic and foreign markets it requires many more'. '
A general framework therefore not exactly comforting. So much more 'that, and' even trivial stress, to produce quality research 'need to compete in the market for brains. And to attract and graduate students of the highest level we need more investment in the sector. To worsen the situation is compounded by excessive bureaucracy, one of the endemic Italian. What affects first of all the development of the industrial system. The funds are few and they arrive, when they arrive, with huge delays. The projects have so difficulty 'to depart and end. Industry program in 2015, the disbursement of funds and 'waiting for over a year. 'And this despite the Polytechnic has arrived first and second with two projects on energy efficiency. Impossible for us to make the necessary investments and lead to the destination progetti'commenta bitterly Macchi. In short, it is difficult in these conditions to compete with foreign countries, even for a center that makes quality 'its brand. The Master Ridef the Polytechnic and 'however a recognized success. 'From about seven years we train at least 40 specialists per year in the renewables sector'.
27/05/2010
----------------------------------------
Translated via software
----------------------------------------
Source:
Italian version of CercaGeometra.it