Ansaldo Energia developing energy storage solutions

Italian energy company Eni and Ansaldo Energia said they plan to develop projects based on innovative technological solutions for electricity storage as an alternative to electrochemical batteries.

The technologies, which are being studied and have already undergone Eni’s technology validation process, will be implemented at a number of industrial sites of Eni and its subsidiaries in Italy, exploiting the potential of existing power generation and consumption systems. Electricity storage is essential to overcome the structural limitations of renewables in terms of predictability and intermittency and is consequently necessary to promote their development, the companies said in a news release announcing their cooperation agreement.

Francesco Giunti of Enipower and Giuseppe Marino of Ansaldo Energia. The two companies will collaborate on energy storage solutions. (Image: Ansaldo Energia)

“Renewable energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic, are indispensable solutions for the success of the energy transition and Eni is devoting a great deal of effort and resources to grow rapidly in those areas and help overcome their structural and economic limitations due to their intermittency of production,” said Giuseppe Ricci, Eni’s Energy Evolution chief operating officer. “This agreement is part of our approach to the transition based on technological leadership, the know-how of our people and the ability to transform and evolve our industrial sites. These are fundamental elements to successfully tackle the significant challenges of decarbonization.”

Enipower, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eni, was established in November 1999. Today Enipower, directly or through its subsidiaries, owns five power plants located in Brindisi, Ferrara, Mantua, Ravenna and Ferrera Erbognone (Pavia) and a co-generation plant in Bolgiano (San Donato Milanese), with a total operating capacity of around 5.1 GW.

“The initiative with Ansaldo Energia fits perfectly into the growth plans for Enipower as a provider of grid services, which are increasingly necessary - as the growth of renewables and the electrification of end-use consumption continues - to guarantee the stability of the national grid,” said Francesco Giunti, CEO and Chairman of Enipower.

“Being chosen by Eni, a group we have worked with for many years, to cement a concrete commitment to support the energy transition is a great source of pride and satisfaction for us all” said Giuseppe Marino, CEO of Ansaldo Energia.

“The technological solution underpinning the agreement - an alternative to lithium-ion batteries - is rooted in a strong European supply chain and guarantees a safe, long-lasting energy storage service, overcoming obstacles related to disposal and avoiding problems related to critical supply issues”, said Daniela Gentile, CEO of Ansaldo Green Tech.

The success of this initiative will therefore represent a major step towards a “net zero carbon” economy consistent with the strategies of both companies.