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5 October 2008 QA

Osservatorio permanente dell’innovazione

Renewable Energy in Apulia. Strategies, competences, projects Renewable Energy in Apulia. Strategies, competences, projects in Apulia. Strategies, Energy Renewable RTI ARTI QUADERNI quaderno5B:Layout 14-11-200812:00Pagina

QUADERNIARTI projects. competences, Strategies, in Apulia. Energy Renewable quaderno5B:Layout 1 4-11-2008 12:00 Pagina 2

Co-financed by the European Union ARTI, the Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation for the Region of through Regional Puglia was created by regional law in 2004 with the aim of building the Puglia Operative Programme (POR) Puglia Regional Innovation System (SIR). 2000-2006, Measure 3.13 “Techno- This means: logical research and development”, a) improving the overall framework; Action E “Constitution of a Perma- b) strengthening individual players (research enterprises and nent Observatory on Innovation”. facilities) as regards growth in size, innovation and internationalisation; c) promoting cooperation between players (public-private, © 2008 ARTI private-private, public-public). Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation

S.P. per Casamassima km 3 70010 Valenzano (BA) - ITALY tel. 0039/0804670.576 fax 0039/0804670.633 [email protected] www.arti.puglia.it

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Introduction

In 2007 the Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation (ARTI) of the Apulia Region launched a project on the energy supply chain within the ambit of the Osservatorio Permanente dell’Innovazione and commissioned a feasibility study on behalf of the Office for Planning. The objective of the activity was the assessment and selection of a range of technological options in the renewable energy and the energy efficiency sector that would be appropriate for Apulia and that would be able to simultaneously combine: 1. coherency of regional, national and European strategic energy objectives and the support of economic development; 2. “technological feasibility”; 3. capacity to provide significant economic impact on (i) the system of the businesses operating, or potentially operating in Apulia, both in terms of exploitation of unused or under used available resources, and in the creation of qualified employment and internationally competitive goods and services, and (ii) the active research networks in Apulia. On this basis it is possible to define research projects, public-private experimentation and verify the technical, scientific and economic feasibility. ARTI’s work began with the document entitled “Research programme, technological development and demonstration of energy efficiency in the alternative energy sector for the Apulia region” in May 2006, written by an interdisciplinary work group directed by professor Luigi Nicolais, who was at the time president of ARTI1. This document identified a wide range of options for regional political action in the field of innovation of renewal energy and energy efficiency. In particular, this document, moving from the constraints and opportunities that characterise the reality in Apulia even in relation to national and community contexts, identified the following concrete technological options as being feasible in the region: solar energy, distributed generation, biomass gasification and the production of hydrogen, as well as the oxy-combustion of agricultural and industrial residues. Such technological choices were inserted into three distinct project categories: (i) energy efficiency and sustainability in the civil and tertiary sectors; (ii) the optimisation of the use of energy in the agro-food chain and some sections of the transformation industry; (iii) the integration of renewable sources in transport systems. Starting from this document ARTI began other activities. An organisational structure was defined, to implement the activity, articulated as follows: • The Director of the Project is Piero Rubino, a former economist at the Bank of Italy and the Authority for electric energy and gas, currently part of the Group of public investment evaluators of the DPS, who is also in charge of the Segreteria Tecnica of NARS, the Economic regulatory group certified by CIPE. • The Economic impact research group, composed of internal ARTI researchers (Annamaria Fiore, Carlo Gadaleta Caldarola, Francesco Prota), assisted in the field investigation phase by AmbienteItalia and A.FO.RI.S. • The Scientific Committee. The Scientific Committee is composed of Pippo Ranci, who was the president of the Au- thority for electric energy and gas and Matteo Leonardi, an energy technologist. • Monitoring Committee. The committee is composed of directors of the Apulia Region in the fields of Programming, economic Development, agro-food Resources, Ecology and territorial Structure. The work was articulated in five phases: 1. informal consultations with a panel of “Prominent Figures” operating not only in the field of energy production, but also with equipment for the renewable energy source installations, as well as in energy resource research in Apulia; 2. delivery of a questionnaire to companies and research entities to detail their innovative work in the field of renewable energy and energy conservation;

1 The group was composed of: F. Rosatelli and A. Saponaro (Ansaldo CRIS), M. Annunziato (ENEA), P. Campanile and P. Perlo (C.R.F.), V. Pertosa and P. Sforza (MER MEC), A.M. Losacco (Centro Laser), R. Pasinetti (AmbienteItalia), G.M. Gasperi (A.FO.RI.S.).

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3. identification of the most promising technological alternatives; 4. arrangement of these alternatives on the basis of suitable merit criteria and the predisposition for in depth study; 5. planning of feasibility studies for the development of projects that incorporate the alternatives identified in the previous phases. As a first step (phase 1), starting in Spring 2007, the ARTI research group consulted with the main stakeholders (the aforementioned “Prominent Figures”) active along the whole energy chain in Apulia. This inquiry was performed via special meetings with the role-players of the regional innovation system, in the fields of basic and industrial research. To this end the ARTI research group conducted in-depth meetings with 35 operators active in Apulia, after submitting in advance, a series of questions, drawn up as a preliminary questionnaire aimed at developing a dialogue. The in- terviewees were chosen for their knowledge acquired during the preliminary activities carried out in compiling the PEAR plan; they include institutions, research centres - both academic and private - and companies selected on the basis of their importance in size, quality and innovation. The next step (phase 2) was performed via a more capillary contact by sending a structured questionnaire to about 530 persons, in which they were expressly asked to indicate the innovative activities (in progress or planned) in the field of renewable sources and energy conservation. The companies and research institutes were selected with the aim of obtaining, as far as possible, the widest sample coverage of companies that might be interested in energy innovation. The sample was extended to companies and research institutes outside the region that were potentially interested in operating in Apulia (they constituted about 35% of the entire sample). Furthermore, the expression of interest was made public, not only on the website of the Agency, but also by the insertion of advertisements in two regional daily newspapers. The questionnaire asked for general information (location, sales, personnel) and also information relative to specific innovative activities and research in the energy sector, and other data relative to: the reference market of the developed technologies (periods, modalities, niche markets); resources allocated to research (budget, personnel dedicated to R&D); partnerships; possible financing received for the innovative activities; instruments used to protect the innovation (patents, secrecy); other contextual indications (obstacles to innovation, instruments useful for the promotion of research activities). The demonstration of interests, which had begun in May 2007, was finished on the 15th of September of the same year. The information obtained from the in-depth meetings with the “Prominent Figures” and gathered from the que- stionnaires enabled an articulated picture of the scene in Apulia to be drawn up. These were used, in winter 2007- 2008, as the basis for the work on alternative projects (phase 3). The arrangement of these technological options will be carried out with multi-criteria comparison techniques (phase 4). The project will be completed with pre-feasibility and feasibility studies on some of the technological options identified in the preceding phases. The technical and scientific feasibility evaluation was started by internationally famous experts together with the research group of ARTI (phase 5). Within the ambit of these activities ARTI has prepared the Pamphlet “Renewable energy and energy efficiency: an overview”, aimed at supplying a first general, technological and economic overview of renewable energy and energy efficiency, with the aim of spreading knowledge and culture within Apulia. This Pamphlet collects data and information, available at the end of 2007, relative to the first two activity phases.

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Index

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ...... pag. 7

CHAPTER 1 – COMPETENCES AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY PLAN OF THE APULIA REGION ...... ” 13

CHAPTER 2 – THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES AND THE ENERGY INTENSITY OF THE ITALIAN REGIONS ...... ” 17

CHAPTER 3 – COMPANIES AND RESEARCH IN APULIA: SOME ELEMENTS OF THE OVERALL PICTURE ...... ” 25

CHAPTER 4 – THE WIND POWER SECTOR ...... ” 31

4.1 The wind power sector: manufacturing firms ...... ” 33

CHAPTER 5 – THE SOLAR POWER SECTOR ...... ” 37

5.1 The solar power sector: manufacturing firms ...... ” 39

CHAPTER 6 – THE BIOMASS SECTOR (AGRI-ENERGY) ...... ” 43

6.1 The biomass sector: design and building of plants, research activities and provision of other services ...... ”49

CHAPTER 7 – ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PRACTICES ...... ” 53

7.1 The energy efficiency sector: energy service providers ...... ” 57

CHAPTER 8 – UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH CENTRES ...... ” 61

8.1 Public research entities...... ” 70 8.2 The public/private research centres ...... ” 72 8.3 Enel, Ansaldo, Fiat ...... ” 73

APPENDIX 1 ...... ” 75 APPENDIX 2 ...... ” 79 BLIOGRAPHY ...... ” 83

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Summary and conclusions

Today, support for renewable energy and energy efficiency is a priority objective of public decision-makers on a European, national and regional level, because of environmental reasons (reduction of conta- minating emissions and the greenhouse effect) as well as socio-economic reasons (security of the supply system, compliance with international obligations, reduction of the costs arising out of the dependency on external supplies of primary energy).

One must add another reason to those set out above - one which is no less relevant: renewable sources and energy saving are two rapidly expanding technological and market sectors on a global scale and represent an economic and employment development opportunity for companies and territories that are able to meet the related challenges.

The regional level seems to be a terrain particularly suited to meet and overcome this challenge: not only because many production chains, located upstream of the renewable energy and energy saving sectors, offer a local dimension that makes them structurally “short” and integrated (one thinks, for example, of agro-energy or the expertise necessary for the energy reconversion of residential building assets), but also because the regional scale represents a privileged level of the new European orientation for the so-called “post-Kyoto” on the horizon until 2020 and, above all, of the Governmental commitments assumed in terms of the 2008 Financial Law.

On the Apulia regional scale, one must add the attention given to these subject by the 2007-2013 planning of the Community resources and the objectives of the Regional Environmental and Energy Plan (PEAR). In the years to come Apulia can benefit from important Community and national resources for the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency; in particular, together with other regions of the Convergence of Objectives (Campania, Calabria and Sicily), will receive resources from the 2007- 2013 Interregional Operational Plan (POI) “Renewable energy and energy saving”. Further funds are derived from the Operational Plan FESR Apulia 2007-2013, whose Axis II provides for considerable resources for renewable energy and efficiency. One must not, however, forget the national support initiatives, such as the white certificates, the green certificates, the energy account, which must be exploited to an even greater extent than in the recent past.

The PEAR plan of Apulia has defined ambitious future targets and, in particular, (i) halving, between 2004 and 2016, the growth trend of regional energy consumption with respect to the preceding fifteen years (from +19.3% to +9.9%); (ii) increasing the contribution of renewable energy as a percentage of the total regional production from 3% in 2004 to 18% in 2016. One is dealing with a real change in the technological paradigm that was until now based on fossil sources, it was also made necessary by the new plans of the European Commission that, as is well-know, imposes stringent objectives for 2020.

As regards the normative profile, besides the adoption of the PEAR plan in June 2007 by the Regional Council, one must not forget the 2006 regulation on wind energy, which defines the directives for the environmental impact evaluation, in issuing permits for wind energy installations and the 2007 regulations in the field of sustainable building. Finally, regulations are being prepared on biomasses.

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Contributions of energy sources to the production of electrical energy: Historical data and the PEAR objectives (GWh)

2016 2016 Energy Mix 2004 % % % prospective objective Petroleum products 4.893 16% 1.378 3% 1.167 3% Steelwork gases 3.394 11% 3.394 7% 4.562 11% Natural gas 4.232 13% 21.856 42% 13.936 32% Coal 18.145 58% 20.373 39% 13.775 32% Renewable energy 800 3% 5.000 10% 8.000 18% CDR 0 0% 0 0% 1.837 4% Total 31.464 100% 52.001 100% 43.277 100% Source: PEAR Apulia

The current situation regarding renewable energy and technologies for energy efficiency in Apulia is both good and bad.

Apulia is characterised by a production of energy for renewable sources that is still low as a percentage of the regional total; besides, it is the Italian region with the highest energy intensity after the Valle d’Ao- sta (and is definitely higher than the national average). These elements suggest an opportunity, as has been emphasised many times by the regional policy makers, to reconvert the generation equipment towards renewable sources and making the traditional power stations more environment friendly and developing high efficiency initiatives, also with a view of exporting the best technologies.

The regional system boasts a series of strong points. First, a predisposition for compatible agro-energy, that is confirmed by the availability of agricultural land already allocated to growing biomasses or that can be allocated to that use via an agricultural conversion that gives value to local resources, favouring the use of agricultural waste coming from different sources and promoting the organisation and rationalisation of the logistic system. Today, Apulia is the fourth Italian region in terms of biomass energy production and important national groups have inserted plant plans in this region, in their investment plans. Second, a climatic opportunity (Apulia is one of the regions with the highest level of solar irradiation in Europe) and solar energy technologies. This division offers interesting possibilities in various levels: ranging from the production of thermal energy for residential and industrial use to promising projects for the use of solar radiation for the generation of electric energy on a thermodynamic basis. Third, a comparative advantage in the field of wind energy, due to high levels of wind in some sub-regional zones as can be witnessed by many substantial project initiatives (thanks to such factors, in 2005, Apulia was the leading region in Italy in terms of wind-energy production). Significant industrial expertise is associated with these elements, as demonstrated, inter alia by the presence in the territory of the largest Italian factory for the production of shafts and turbines, together with an interesting production of small sized wind turbines. Fourth, a substantial heritage of existing buildings that offer important requalification opportunities aimed at maximising energy efficiency, above all in civil residential settlements and public buildings, adopting a system view capable of integrating renewable sources, distributed generation, information technology and new construction technologies. In the field of energy efficiency, companies in Apulia, even multi-nationals, have developed diversified know-how in various areas (high-performance air conditioning equipment; co-generation systems and high efficiency illumination; construction products with

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particular thermal characteristics; energy consumption monitoring systems).

With regard to this potential, is there an existing entrepreneurial and research infrastructure able to meet this challenge? The field analysis presented in this work suggests that, at least to a first approxi- mation, the answer is yes.

Numerous entities are active both in the energy production field and in manufacturing before the different production chains; in Apulia large and medium-small, regional and extra-regional companies (in some cases multi-nationals) live together. Also, a noteworthy entrepreneurial vitality is evident, which is confirmed by the presence of many recently formed companies, still small in size, sometimes originating from professional spin-offs of larger companies, that provide an element of strong discontinuity with the past. To this one must add the fact that many companies that are realizing (or on the verge of realising) projects in the renewable energy sector come from other industrial sectors; this is, surely, a si- gnal that confirms the fact that renewable energy and energy efficiency represents an important economic development and employment opportunity. Many companies, of those assessed, have their own personnel dedicated to research and development activities.

On a territorial level, a greater concentration of companies is found in the province of Bari. It is worth noting, however, the presence of specialised production chains in some provinces: in this regard, there are significant examples on the province of Foggia for agro-energy, the province of Lecce for solar energy and the province of Taranto for wind energy.

The territorial distribution of assessed companies subdivided by energy type

Source: ARTI

Research activities in the field of renewable energy are taking place within universities in Apulia, but also at private and public research centres. Some research projects were performed with the collaboration of Universities, research centres and companies.

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The principal research themes were: agro-energy, solar energy (in particular, solar thermal energy), energy efficiency in the construction sector; environmental monitoring of the cycles of renewable resources and innovative technologies for measuring air speed.

Researchers at the Universities in Apulia, involved in research activities connected to the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector

Researchers Fields of research1 Combustion Department/Centre Prov. of which Agro-energy/ Energy processes/ Wind Solar Other structured Biomass efficiency new fuels/ cogeneration University of Bari Department of Design and Management of BA 16 6 * Agro Zootechnical & Forestry systems Department of Science of Vegetable BA 72 7 * Matter Production Department of Biology and Plant Pa- BA 32 3 * thology Department BA 2 1 * of Chemistry Total 28 17 Polytechnic of Bari Department of Electrical BA 17 10 * * * * * Technology & Electronics Department of Mechanical Enginee- BA 14 11 * * * * ring and Management Department of Environmental Engi- neering & Sustainable TA 9 6 * * * * Development Total 40 27 University of Foggia Department of Agro-Environmental Science, FG 14 9 * Chemistry & Defence Vegetale Total 14 9 University of Salento Department of Innovation LE n.d. n.d. * * * Engineering Centre for Environmental Energy Re- LE 68 11 * * * * * * search Total 68 11

1 The asterisks indicate the main research fields. 2 Number obtained from the Board of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bari (2007).

Source: ARTI

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Researchers from State research centres in Apulia, involved in research activities connected to the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector

Researchers Fields of research1 Combustion Department/Centre Prov. of which Agro-energy/ Energy processes/ Wind Solar Other structured Biomass efficiency new fuels/ cogeneration National Research Council (CNR) Institute for Building BA 6 6 * echnologies Institute for Microelectronics LE 6 6 * & Microsystems Total 12 Council for Research & Experimentation in Agriculture (CRA) Institute for Agronomical BA 82 8 * Experimentation New Technologies, Energy & Environment Institute (ENEA)

The Brindisi Research Centre BR 8 8 * * *

Monte Aquilone Experimental Area FG 8 8 *

1 The asterisks indicate the main area of the research activity. 2 Number obtained from the Board of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bari (2007).

Source: ARTI

The data presented in this document shows different interesting project initiatives, characterised by a good level of innovation. Many of them, already in the project finalisation phase or, in some cases, already started, could assume a growing relevance even outside of the regional and national borders. Examples include: off-shore or deep water wind energy solutions, the innovative system of high altitude wind energy, CO2 capture and storage projects, the planned construction of photovoltaic equipment on a scale that is significant on a European level and the pilot projects in the field of thermodynamic solar energy. These projects could be assisted by inter-institutional agreements reached between the regional Administration and the national Government.

The most promising technological options are represented by biomass, solar, and wind energy conversion processes and sustainable building operations. The potential for project development of these technological options is confirmed by various initiatives in progress (some are mentioned above); in collaboration between research and industry; in the existence of specific professional expertise; in the priorities identified by the national and Community financial support instruments; in the regional norms that have been defined; and in general, by the favourable environmental and climatic conditions of the territory of Apulia (orography, incoming solar radiation, wind, availability of land to be dedicated to energy crops, flat land). The comparative advantage that the territory has, makes the ambitious path outlined by the Regional Environmental Energy Plan concretely practicable, even though difficult.

In this regard it is useful to differentiate between technologies that are already potentially marketable, but not yet competitive and those that are still far from being ready for release on to the market, but that have a high research interest. For the first group precise incentives could be useful, aimed at compen-

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sating the increased cost, and legislative intervention with a systemic character and broad time frame; for example, on the topic of energy efficiency, possible projects would be the certification of existing buildings and the imposition of minimum standards for new buildings. For the technologies that are not market ready, the support should be of a direct nature, owing to the basic research value of these initiatives and could be directed towards demonstrating their highly innovative content.

For a region like Apulia, characterised by significant and still widely undeveloped industrial, demogra- phic and geopolitical potential, the support could thus be the capacity to combine local development with the affirmation of a new energy paradigm. Benefiting from this “double dividend” would be a big opportunity for energy requalification, production reconversion and development.

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Chapter 1 - Competences and the Environmental Energy Plan of the Apulia Region

The process of giving the Regions normative and regulatory functions in the energy field began with Law 10/91, in which the regions were given the task of formulating Regional Energy Plans, aimed at managing the system of incentives with regional applicability for initiatives to reduce energy consumption and support renewable sources2. From the start, the regional competence in the energy sector was, therefore, tied to the theme of environmental sustainability. A confirmation of this direction came, in June 2001, from the so-called “Turin Protocol” of the Conference of the Presidents of the Regions and the Autonomous Provinces. One of the commitments of the Conference was that of elaborating plans for the reduction of greenhouse gases. In this way the Regional Energy Plans became known as the Regional Environmental and Energy Plan (PEAR). The PEAR constitutes a reference frame for public and private persons that have initiatives in the energy field in an Italian region. In June 2007, 16 regional Plans and 2 plans for the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano were adopted; while in the regions of Campania, Sicily and Abruzzo studies are being conducted for the drafting of these plans (ENEA 2007). The reform of Title V of the Constitution, implemented with the Constitutional Law 3/2001, placed energy among the subjects of concurrent legislative power between State and the Regions. Today among the most relevant functions of the Regions is the legislative and regulatory power in the following areas: • formulation of the political objectives of regional energy; • location and construction of district heating equipment; • development and exploitation of endogenous resources and renewable resources; • issuing of hydroelectric concessions; • energy certification of buildings; • guaranteeing safety and environmental and territorial compatibility; • security, reliability and continuity of regional supplies; • achievement of the objectives of limiting greenhouse gases as envisaged by the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, in agreement with Local Entities, the Regions have competence over the authorisation procedures and operation of energy production plants with a power of more than 50 mega watts (MW). All Italian Regions have passed laws on energy, both on the theme of support for renewable sources and energy efficiency, as well as on the regulation of energy supply and demand. In particular, between 2000 and 2006, the Italian Regions have activated two particularly relevant initiatives: • the “Photovoltaic roofs” and “Solar heating” programmes (implementing the Ministry of the Envi- ronment’s Decrees promulgated with effect from 2000), with the goal of producing small-scale solar powered equipment integrated into building structures; • the actions foreseen by the Regional Operational Programmes (POR) for the 2000-2006 periods financed with the Structural Funds.

2 For a list of the main regional legislation see ENEA (2006). For more information of the July Decrees on energy efficiency, kindly consult the relative section of the web site of the Electrical energy and Gas Authority (www.autorita.energia.it/ee/index.htm), with regards to national and regional legislation on energy efficiency in construction, the reference web site is that of the national Association of builders (www.ance.it). Finally, more information on the Energy Account and the main legislation for the support of renewable energy sources is available on the web site of the electrical service Manager (www.gsel.it).

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As regards the future, the 2007-2013 programming of the Structural Funds provides for the definition of two Inter-regional Operational Programmes (POI). One of the two Programmes concerns “Renewable energy and energy saving” and is aimed at (i) promoting and experimentation of advanced forms of integrated operations and supply chains aimed at increasing the energy production from renewable sources and (ii) promoting energy efficiency and reducing the tangible and intangible obstacles that limit the optimisation of the system. The total amount of public resources assigned to the POI destined for the Regions of the Convergence Objective (Apulia, Campania, Calabria and Sicily), is about 1.6 billion Euro, half coming from FESR community resources and the other half from national sources3. The Inter-regional Operational Programme is coordinated by three Authorities: the Management Autho- rity, the Certification Authority and the Auditing Authority. The Management Authority is responsible for the management and implementation of the programme and is entrusted to the Apulia Region. The POI defined three intervention axes: Axis I - The production of energy from renewable sources; Axis II - Energy efficiency and optimisation of the system; Axis III - Technical support and accompanying actions. Axis I, will absorb 780 million Euro of FESR and national resources, of particular relevance are the operations to support biomasses, the development of the entrepreneurial class connected to research and application of new technology in the sector of renewable energy, the support and experimental operations of geothermal energy sources, the support and diffusion of small-scale renewable energy equipment in natural areas and the smaller islands. Axis II, will have a financing of about 765 million Euro and contains support measures for supporting the entrepreneurial class connected to energy saving, operations to increase the efficiency of public utilities, operations on the heat distribution network (excess steam heating and cooling) and on the electric distribution grid, with the goal of publicising renewable sources and micro co-generation. The “technical assistance and accompanying actions” (Axis III) aims to improve the quality, efficiency and efficacy of the actions programmed by the POI. It involves, above all, strengthening the direction and management of the Programme and to control and publicise the results to the public, to the economic-social structures, the potential beneficiaries and the actuators of the co-financing operations. The measures in Axis III will use about 65 million Euro4. Furthermore, it is necessary to cite five national initiatives on the topic of energy efficiency and renewable energy that also pertain to the regional administrations. The Ministerial Decrees of July 2004 determine up to the year 2009 the national objectives for increasing energy efficiency of end users, demanding the achievement of these objectives to the distributors of electric and gas energy. The regions have been given the possibility of determining the additional conservation objectives with respect to the national ones and to stipulate specific agreements to address the activities of local distributors. The Regions, furthermore, are in consultation with the Authority for electrical energy and gas as regards the guide-lines for the preparation, execution and assessment of conservation projects and the procedures for issuing the relative energy efficiency documents. Legislative Decree 192/2005 has implemented Directive 2002/91 (on construction energy efficiency) which is aimed at improving the energy performance of buildings by the application of minimum requirements for new buildings and large renovations, and the adoption of energy certification methodologies. While waiting for the actuating Decrees, many local entities have adopted their own norms for building certification. At a provincial level, the province of Bolzano was a forerunner (CasaClima project), followed by the provinces of Vicenza and Trento; at a regional level: Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Marche, Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Toscana, Umbria and Apulia have adopted legislation concerning certification.

3 To this further resources coming from FAS (Under-utilized areas fund) must be added for the pursuit, via the national policies on the subject, of the same objectives. 4 For a detailed list of the POI objectives see Appendix 1.

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Presidential Decree 412/93, implementing Law 10/91, obliges publicly owned or publicly used buildings to fulfil their energy requirements by favouring renewable sources, except for obstacles of a technical or economic nature. The Regions, having a patrimony of public buildings, are required to respect this obli- gation.

The Decree dated 28 July 2005 introduced the Energy Account on photovoltaic energy in Italy to finance small or medium-size photovoltaic installations. The peculiarity of the Energy Account is that it directly increases the value of the energy production of photovoltaic plants by using a feed-in tariff and guarantees the return of the investment. The Regions do not have a direct role; they can, nevertheless, fa- cilitate investments in their territory since, the investor accumulates the Energy Account with other regional incentives, as long as it does not exceed 20% of the cost of the operation. Finally, the Financial Law of 2008 (Law no. 244 dated 24 December 2007) intervenes in a significant way on the incentives for renewable sources (some of the measure envisaged are: a new incentive system for equipment in use after 31 December 2007; differentiation of the incentive by type of source, even if the incentives for agricultural biomass and photovoltaic energy remains the same). Above all, the Fi- nancial Law provides a more stringent coordination between the State, the Regions and Local Authori- ties for the attainment of production objectives from renewable source (25% of the gross internal consumption by 2012). A decree of the Ministry of Industry and Economic Development (MISE) will split up of the minimum objectives of Regions and Autonomous Provinces. The Regions are however obliged to provide plans and objectives, including forms of administration by an external commissioner in case of non-fulfilment.

As mentioned earlier, the Regions must define reference standards for public and private subjects that operate in the energy field. The PEAR plan of Apulia identifies a series of actions and instruments to support the development of an efficient and sustainable regional energy system, that gives priority to energy saving and renewable sources and that is coherent with the regional socio-economic context. The temporal reference period of the Plan is 2009-20165. The Plan is articulated in three parts. The first part, “The regional energy context and its evolution”, analyses Apulia’s energy system based on a reconstruction of the regional energy balance for the period 1990-2004. The second part, “Objectives and instruments”, defines the direction and actions of the region’s energy policy. The third part, “The strategic environmental evaluation”, aims to verify the protection level of the environment associated with the actions indicated above. The regional objectives are defined above all on a strategic level and, then, where possible, confirmed at a quantitative level and with specific actions. From the point of view of energy governance, the objectives of the PEAR plan are the following: • peg the CO2 emissions derived from the generation of electrical energy from fossil fuel sources with respect to the 2004 values and create a differentiated energy mix, gradually limiting the use of coal and substituting it with natural gas; • provide electrical energy production from renewable sources of about 8,000 Giga Watt Hours (GWh) for 2016 (rather than the forecast amount of 5,000 GWh); • reach 150 MW of installed solar photovoltaic power, thanks also to the continuation of the Energy Ac- count incentives; • publicise the “short bio-energy chain” in the territory, based on a local biomass supply system of agricultural and forest origin aimed at small-medium distributed heat production, which could be combined with excess steam heating and cogeneration; develop the bio fuel chain in the transport

5 The Regional Environmental Energy Plan of Apulia was adopted in June 2007.

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sector as well as in agriculture for heating; start projects whose objectives are experimentation with activities related to the production and use of bio-gas from livestock waste; • increase the capacity of the electrical energy transport and distribution system in such a way as to reduce network constraints; increase the gas supply capacity in terms of quantity and differentiation of place of origin; • pay particular attention to the development and production of hydrogen, which shall be improved with research and integration with the development strategies of renewable sources. With these assumptions, the scenario foresees and increase on energy from renewable sources, whose quota of electricity production would be 18% in 2016, with respect to the 10% trend and the 3% of 2004 (table 1).

Table 1 - Contribution of energy sources to the production of electrical energy: historical data and PEAR objectives (GWh)

On the side of regulating energy demand, the PEAR plan indicates the following objectives for 2016: • in the residential sector, maintaining almost stable the consumption of fossil fuel for heating, not- withstanding the forecasted increasing volume of buildings, and reduce electrical consumption by about 3% with respect to 2004. To summarise, the objective is to reduce residential consumption by 197 thousand tep6 (ktep) with respect to that forecast by 2016; • in the tertiary sector, pegging of heating consumption with respect to 2004 and reduce the forecast increase of electricity consumption. The objective is to reduce the tertiary sector consumption by 108 ktep with respect to the forecast scenario; • in the agriculture and fishing sector, a greater use of biomass is foreseen and a 1% annual increase of the bio-fuel quota; • in the productive sector, contain the forecast increase in final energy consumption, with regards to both electric energy and fuel for heating, and a reduction of liquid fuel usage in favour of natural gas. The objective is to save 170 ktep by 2016 with respect to the forecast value; • in the transport sector, avoid consumption increases derived from transportation of people and significantly reduce the increase of forecast consumption (50%) with regard to goods transportation. To summarise, the objective is to reduce the consumption of primary energy by 169 ktep with respect to that forecast by 2016. As a whole, the objective of the PEAR plan is to halve the increase of consumption recorded in the 1990- 2004 period.

6 The tep stands for “equivalent tons of petroleum” . Expressing in a common unit of measure all sources of energy taking into account their thermal power (1 tep = 10 million Kilocalories).

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Chapter 2 - The production of energy from renewable sources and the energy intensity of the Italian Regions

The regions with the largest production of renewable energy are Lombardy, Trentino, Piedmont, that benefit from large alpine hydroelectric plants, and Toscana, that on its own produces all if Italy’s geothermal energy. In Sou- thern Italy, the largest producers of renewable energy are Abruzzo and Calabria, thanks, again, to local hydroelectric plants.

In Apulia, the total energy balance is positive (in 2005, the gross electric energy production was 32,600 GWh, almost double the regional consumption and equivalent to almost 11% of the national production, graphic 1). The production from renewable sources was only about 3% of the regional total. One must, however, remem- ber that, in the last few years, there was a decisive increase: the production went from 6 GWh in 1994 to almost 1,000 GWh in 2005.

Table 2 - Gross contribution to electrical energy production in Apulia (in GWh)

Year Italy Apulia % of Italian total 1996 244,424 15,789 6.5 1997 251,462 23,321 9.3 1998 259,786 23,192 8.9 1999 265,657 22,954 8.6 2000 276,629 25,358 9.2 2001 278,995 26,411 9.5 2002 284,401 29,854 10.5 2003 293,865 30,994 10.5 2004 303,321 31,230 10.3 2005 303,672 32,600 10.7

Source: elaborated by ARTI with ISTAT data (2007), PEAR Apulia Region and (for the data relative to the gross electric energy production for Apulia for 2005) Terna (2006)

The production of renewable energy of Apulia was only 2% of the national total (graphic 1).

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Graphic 1 - Contribution to the gross production of electrical energy from renewable sources in Apulia

Source: elaborated by ARTI with ISTAT data (2007) and PEAR - Apulia Region This data, however, is strongly influenced by the fact that Apulia is the only Italian region that does not have hydroelectrically-produced energy, nor geothermal energy production sources, for obvious geographical reasons. If one excludes the production of these two sources, Apulia‘s contribution to the Ita- lian production from renewable sources rises to 12% (graphic 2).

Graphic 2 - Contribution to the gross production of electrical energy from renewable sources, ex- cluding hydroelectric and geothermal energy in Apulia

Source: elaborated by ARTI with ISTAT data (2007), PEAR - Apulia Region, ENEA (2007)

More specifically, Apulia is the leading Italian region in wind energy production (Terna 2006). As at 31st December 2006, the wind power generated in Apulia was 468,4 MW, while the total electrical energy production was 586,5 GWh in 2005, a quarter of the national production from that source (table 3).

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Table 3 - Gross production from wind farms for the Italian regions in 2005 (GWh)

Region Wind % of Italian total Apulia 586.5 25.0 Campania 560.5 23.9 Sardinia 409.3 17.5 Sicily 382.3 16.3 Abruzzo 177.8 7.6 Others 227.1 9.7 ITALY 2,343.4 100.0

Source: elaborated by ARTI using ENEA and Terna data

Apulia’s leading role is explained by its geographic, orographic and environmental characteristics, that make it a privileged territory for the installation of wind turbines, because of the number of usable wind hours (figure 1).

Figure 1 - Map of the specific production capacity at 50 meters above ground

Source: CESI (2002)

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In addition to Apulia, other large producers of wind energy are Campania (560 GWh), Sardinia (409 GWh) and Sicily (382 GWh).

The production of photovoltaic electric energy in Apulia is 0,4 GWh, corresponding to 10% of the national production, which makes it the third largest producing region using this source (table 3). During the course of 2005, only Apulia, Campania, Abruzzo and Sardinia have had an appreciable production of energy from photovoltaic cells (more than 0,1 GWh).

Table 4 - Gross production from photovoltaic plants by region in 2005 (GWh)

Region Photovoltaic % of Italian total Campania 2.1 52.5 Abruzzo 1.0 25.0 Apulia 0.4 10.0 Sardinia 0.2 5.0 Sicily 0.1 2.5

Source: elaborated by ARTI with ENEA and Terna data Apulia is particularly suited for exploiting solar energy because of the extensive irradiation that it re- ceives during the year (figure 2); nevertheless, this potential is still poorly exploited, despite the fact that Italian law provides many incentives for the installation of photovoltaic equipment.

Figure 2 - Global annual horizontal irradiation expressed in thousands of watt/hours/year (kWh/y)

Source: ENEA

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The production in Apulia of electrical energy from biomasses is 421.3 GWh - a little less than 7% of the national total (table 5). The regions with the greatest production of electricity derived from this source are Lombardy (1.968 GWh), Emilia Romagna (909 GWh) and Calabria (752 GWh), thanks to the availability of large thermo-exploitation installations and vast agricultural and forest resources.

Table 5 - Gross production from biomass installations by region for 2005 (GWh)

Region Biomass % of Italian total Lombardy 1,968.4 32.0 Emilia R. 908.8 14.8 Calabria 752.4 12.2 Apulia 421.3 6.8 Veneto 374.0 6.1 Others 1,729.9 28.1 ITALY 6,154.8 100.0

Source: elaborated by ARTI with ENEA and Terna data

Even in respect of this source Apulia, from the start an agricultural area, has notable potential, both because of uncultivated land, that could be used for the cultivation of dedicated crops (this could also have the positive effect of reducing the desertification tendency of some areas), and owing to the need for crop conversion that has been verified in some areas7. Moreover, one could increase the recovery both of agricultural waste (for example, the waste from pruning) and the waste products derived from agro-industrial activities (in particular, grape and olive residues, due to the importance of wine and olive growing)8.

It must be stressed that, despite a situation with some positive elements, Apulia is still far from rea- ching its objectives. The production should increase from the current quota of 3% of energy from renewable source to the 18% envisaged in the objective-scenario of the PEAR plan by 2016.

The concept of energy efficiency is important in order to identify the progress made by the actions aimed at achieving a more rational use of energy (a better energy utilisation both in providing services and in the production of goods, reducing energy consumption while providing the same service or producing the same goods). The calculation of the indicators enables a detailed analysis and comparison of energy efficiency with other territorial entities and the reference territory.

It is difficult to measure the energy efficiency of a geographical area with an indicator; the most widely used is, however, the energy intensity of the GDP (PIL) i.e. the ratio between primary energy consumption and the Gross Domestic Product. On the basis of this indicator, Apulia has the highest energy intensity after the Valle d’Aosta, definitely greater than the national average (graphic 3).

7 One can think of, for example, sugar beet from the Foggia area. 8 It is, nevertheless, difficult to evaluate with precision what is the effective potential on this subject, in fact, the data is often contradictory.

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Graphic 3 - Final energy intensity of GDP (PIL) for the regions - 2004 (tep/millions of Euro - linked values, base year 2000)

ISTAT (2007)

The energy intensity of GDP (PIL), has the advantage of being a simple indicator of energy efficiency, nevertheless it does not take into account the structural characteristics of the different areas. What pena- lises Apulia with respect to other regions with lower income is the existence of thermoelectric stations targeting energy export and industries with a high energy intensity like the iron and steel industry9. This consideration emerges from a comparison of energy intensity data of different segments of the energy demand: industry, agriculture, tertiary, residential.

In the industrial sector, that includes the electric energy production industry, the energy intensity in Apu- lia with respect to the added value is greater than that of all other Italian regions (table 6). The tertiary sector in Apulia has the lowest energy intensity of the nation, but is the highest in Southern Italy.

9 In 2004 Apulia has, in fact, consumed about 53% of Italian solid fuel (2,691 million teps), mainly due to the local thermoelectric stations and steel industry. Even if it depends on structural reasons, this does not mean that there is no space for energy efficiency improvement; according to the regional PEAR plan: “in comparison with the national thermoelectric system, Apulia’s has a lower energy efficiency. In fact, if the mean national specific consumption was about 2,075 kcal/kWh over the last 15 years, for Apulia it was 2,295 kcal/kWh”.

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Table 6 - Energy intensity of industry, agriculture, fishing and the tertiary sector with respect to added value (tep/million Euro - linked values, base year 2000)

Industry Agriculture and fishing Tertiary Region 2000 20041 2000 20041 2000 20041 Piedmont 148 163 109 92 19 23 Val d’Aosta 134 120 33 98 19 48 Lombardy 103 100 113 127 18 22 Trentino A.A. 94 100 67 59 15 18 Veneto 108 115 103 97 20 23 Friuli-Venezia Giulia 197 229 97 100 19 22 Liguria 166 154 133 60 15 19 Emilia-Romagna 132 143 128 158 23 28 Toscana 137 143 89 77 19 23 Umbria 230 240 104 102 15 19 Marche 74 89 123 165 16 19 Lazio 57 51 105 139 15 16 Abruzzo 115 155 102 121 17 21 Molise 172 107 99 124 13 16 Campania 106 99 76 87 12 12 Apulia 402 397 144 130 13 17 Basilicata 180 150 86 90 18 21 Calabria 68 64 57 43 11 14 Sicily 258 244 78 48 12 13 Sardinia 326 185 106 106 10 12 ITALY2 147 151 108 111 18 19 North 121 125 111 114 19 23 Centre 105 109 103 114 16 18 South 219 205 96 85 12 14

1 Estimate. 2 Total obtained by summing the consumption of the regions recorded on the regional balance sheets. This data does not coincide with the total national energy consumption as reported in the national energy balance sheet due to the different methods used. Source: ISTAT (2007)

Even in the case of the residential energy intensity, Apulia presents intermediate data which is between the national value and that of the Southern Italy10 (table 7). As in the case of the tertiary sector, the sector energy intensity is largely dependent on climatic factors. This data indicates that in Apulia there is much room for improvement in building energy efficiency.

10 To measure the energy efficiency of the domestic consumption, ISTAT relates the energy intensity to family consumption.

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Table 7 - Residential energy intensity relative to family consumption (tep/millions of Euro - linked values, base year 2000)

Region 2000 20041 Piedmont 52 54 Val d’Aosta 68 88 Lombardy 50 49 Trentino A.A. 45 42 Veneto 42 41 Friuli-Venezia Giulia 39 40 Liguria 41 38 Emilia-Romagna 44 49 Toscana 33 35 Umbria 32 33 Marche 31 31 Lazio 31 34 Abruzzo 37 37 Molise 32 30 Campania 24 23 Apulia 27 31 Basilicata 28 33 Calabria 18 21 Sicily 19 20 Sardinia 23 28 ITALY2 37 41 North 46 47 Centre 32 34 South 24 25

Source: ISTAT (2007)

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Chapter 3 - Companies and research in Apulia: some elements of the overall picture Apulia is characterised by a structural excess energy offer and by a production quota of energy from renewable sources compared to the regional total which is still low. These elements suggest the opportunity, which has been emphasised many times by regional policy makers, to perform a conversion of the generation equipment towards renewable sources and make traditional stations environment-friendly and develop high-efficiency operations, with an eye to exporting the best technologies.

Within this framework it is crucial to attain a balanced mixture of sources. Up until now Apulia has been able to avoid the risk of an excessive concentration on a single renewable source. So it is necessary to continue to diversify the “portfolio” of new energy technologies in general and renewable sources in particular, as well as the necessity to concentrate the new research initiatives in a few well-defined fields. An element that must not be overlooked is also that of reinforcing the local electrical distribution grid in such a way as to make a larger use of renewable sources and recourse to diffuse generation sustainable: in essence, the grids must be made “active”, being able to dynamically manage the energy distribution produced from renewable sources. In this regard it is useful to differentiate between technologies already potentially marketable, but not yet competitive, and those that are still far from being marketable, but are very interesting to research. For the first group precise incentives could be useful, aimed at compensating the increased cost; for those that are still far from the competitive phase, the support should presumably be direct, given the intrinsically non-competitive character and the value of basic research for such initiatives.

The first phases of the chain project of ARTI have been directed towards the recognition of the existing skills in Apulia with regard to research and innovation in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The results of the analysis performed suggest that the most promising technological options for Apulia are: the biomass energy conversions processes (in particular, those for the production of second generation fuels); solar sources (in particular, the thermo-dynamic solar); wind sources; and interventions in the field of bio-compatible building and ecological building11. These indications found support in the recognition of the following elements characterising the scenario in Apulia. First, the inclination towards compatible agro-energy, that is confirmed in the availability of agricultural land already intended for the cultivation of biomasses or that can be used for that purpose after an agronomic conversion that adds value to local resources, favouring the used of agricultural waste from various sources and promotes the organisation and rationalisation of the logistic system12.

Second, the climatic and technological solar energy opportunities: this division offers interesting possibilities on various levels: ranging from the production of thermal energy for residential and industrial use to promising projects that use solar radiation for the generation of electrical energy on a thermodynamic basis, seen as an alternative to photovoltaic energy. Third, the comparative advantages in the field of wind energy, as witnessed by the consistent number of initiatives, located, above all, in certain sub-regional zones (on the ridges of the Dauno Apennine, in Capitanata, in Salento), that are associated with important industrial expertise, thanks to the presence of a significant wind energy industry which is still growing.

11 The construction of ecologically sustainable buildings is to be understood in these terms that, thanks to a balance between active methods (equipment used) and passive method (construction methods used for the insulation of the building), enables the attainment of an optimal climatic comfort using the right quantity of energy and resources. 12 On this front it seems appropriate to stimulate the use of biomasses with a high conversion efficiency.

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Fourth, a consistent construction heritage that offers important requalification opportunities aimed at maximising energy efficiency, above all in civil residential and non residential settlements and in public buildings, by adopting the view of a system able to integrate renewable sources, distributed generation, computerisation and new construction technologies. A further confirmation of the strong project development potential of these technological options can be found in: numerous current initiatives (characterised by a good degree of innovation); the collaboration between the world of research and industry; the existence of specific professional skills; and in defined regional regula- tions13. Ample evidence will be given of the above, in the discussion to follow.

During the investigation some themes of a general nature have emerged. First of all, the importance of system actions and operations of technical assistance. Different role-players have suggested the suitability of supporting intangible investments14, as has been emphasized the necessity of public authorities to perform the function of “director” acting to simplify the phases of obtaining authorizations, coordinating the actions of other public entities with relevant skills and in promoting, or facilitating, the integration of productive processes which are relevant to supply chains. Of the possible operative instruments, the strengthening and development actions which have a harmonizing effect and the involvement of the territories could have a very relevant role in making renewable energy projects more acceptable to the local communities. With regard to companies the results of the investigation have permitted the identification of numerous entities active both in the energy production field and in the manufacturing field upstream the various supply chains.

The entrepreneurial context has a number of noteworthy characteristics. Above all, the structure appears interesting: in Apulia large and medium-small companies live together, regional and extra-regional (in some cases multinationals), active in various stages of the production chains. Over the years there has been a noteworthy entrepreneurial vitality: many companies have been recently formed, still of small size, that have at times originating from professional spin-offs of bigger companies, that represent an element of interest. To this one adds the fact that many of the companies are creating (or about to create) projects in the renewable energy sector while coming from other industrial sectors; this is, surely, a sign the confirms the fact the renewable energy and energy efficiency represent an occasion for economic development and employment which is important for all those geographical areas and companies that are able to accept the associated technological and market challenges. The growth rate of these markets is, in fact, extremely relevant15.

With regards to the geographical location of these companies on the regional territory, one notes that the greatest concentration is in the province of Bari. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that in some provinces a certain specialisation of production in some chains: there are significant examples of the province of Foggia for the production of agro-energy, in the province of Lecce for solar energy and the province of Taranto for wind energy (figure 3).

13 In addition to the Council’s adoption of the Regional Environmental Energy Plan in June 2007, the regulations on wind energy should be borne in mind, which define directives for environmental impact evaluations for granting the necessary authorisation for the installation of wind energy equipment (“Regulations for the construction of wind farms in the Apulia Region”, Regulation no. 16 of 2006 of the Apulia Region). More recently, regulations on the subject of sustainable energy in construction (“Regulations on the use, verification, inspections and maintenance of heating and air-conditioning equipment in the region”, Regulation no. 24 of 2007 of the Apulia Region). Finally, regulations are being prepared on the subject of biomasses. 14 Two initiatives started by Tecnopolis on programmes with national financing are very interesting: (i) service infrastructure (this is a new territorial information system of the Apulia Region, to be integrated with SIPRA, for environmental protection and, subsequently, with the civil protection agency); (ii) actions to support the development of business. 15 For a description of the national and international context see ARTI (2007).

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Figure 3 - Territorial distribution of registered companies subdivided by castigatory

Source: ARTI

Various companies, of those registered, have their own personnel dedicated to research and development; table 8 shows the number of people involved and the fields in which they are concentrated. In numerical terms (in terms of number of companies and personnel) the prevalent field is that of agro-energy, but solar energy research is particularly innovative (in particular, long term thermodynamic solar energy) and the development of new methodologies for characterising sites for wind farms. It is significant that there are companies that are involved in the development of initiatives and projects using different sources of renewable energy.

In short, therefore, the field analysis has shown that the solar and wind energy sectors are thriving, as is the biomass and agro-energy sector in general, this is confirmed by the fact that about one third of the registered companies in the survey phase have started, or are developing, projects in this field.

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Table 8 – Research personnel in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency in companies located in Apulia1

Research fields2 R&D Combustion Company Office Personnel Energy Wind Solar Agro-energy processes / new in Apulia efficiency fuels / cogeneration ENEL Brindisi 39 * ITEA Gioia del Colle (BA) 20 * Matrix Conversano 15 * * CRIS - Ansaldo Gioia del Colle (BA) 14 * CR FIAT Valenzano (BA) 13 * Osram Modugno (BA) 8 * Plasma Solution Valenzano (BA) 7 * STC Mesagne (BR) 7 * Thermocold Costruzioni Modugno (BA) 6 * Fantini Scianatico Bari 5 * Rasa Realtur Manfredonia 5 * 4 nrg Casarano (LE) 4 * * Co.Ge. Engineering Bari 4 * * SkySaver Santeramo in Colle (BA) 4 * Ambienteitalia Bari 3 * * * Costruzioni Solari Cavallino (LE) 3 * Jonica Impianti Lizzano (TA) 3 * Mengoli Elettromeccanica Galatina (LE) 3 * * * Modutech Bari 3 * Pelco Foggia 3 * * Modutech Bari 3 * Pelco Foggia 3 * * AS di Labruna Monopoli BA) 2 * Castello di Monteserico Group Spinazzola (BA) 2 * * CMG Solari Melissano (LE) 2 * CSD Conversano (BA) 2 * * Gruppo Etis Bitonto (BA) 2 * Keinstar Associates Taranto 2 * * * * Lucky Wind Foggia 2 * Socoges Monopoli (BA) 2 * * Spelit Bari 2 * Pneoil Crispiano (TA) 1 * Sol.Tec Crispiano (TA) 1 * Total 189

1 The companies listed in the table are those that explicitly declared that they internally perform research and development activities. 2 The asterisks indicate in which field the research activity is mainly concentrated. Source: ARTI

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The ferment in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector is further confirmed by the participation of companies and research institutions in public tenders for the promotion of innovation in the energy field16.

In the field of public consultations with companies for the identification of projects for the creation of industrial energy efficiency programmes promoted by the Ministry of Economic Development within In- dustria 2015, have provided numerous ideas for projects to be developed in Apulia (table 9).

Table 9 – Territorial areas in which ideas will be developed for projects presented for Industria 2015 on the theme of energy efficiency

Regions in which ideas will be developed for projects no. of ideas % of total 1 Lombardy 388 36.4 Emilia Romagna 318 29.8 Lazio 288 27.0 Veneto 283 26.5 Campania 274 25.7 Piedmont 259 24.3 Apulia 232 21.7 Toscana 222 20.8 Sicily 198 18.6 Calabria 168 15.7 Friuli Venezia Giulia 164 15.4 Marche 161 15.1 Liguria 150 14.1 Umbria 141 13.2 Abruzzo 135 12.7 Basilicata 129 12.1 Trentino Alto Adige 127 11.9 Sardinia 127 11.9 Molise 87 8.2 Val d’Aosta 83 7.8

1 The question on regions that intend to develop ideas for projects was a multiple choice type question, for that reason the total is not 100. Source: Ministry of Economic Development (2007)

In the following paragraphs we will describe the main companies and the most innovative projects carried out or being carried out in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency, subdivided by type. The information on companies and projects are derived from direct interviews with the subjects operating in Apulia selected of the basis of relevance with respect to size, quality and innovation, and by the survey done via questionnaire sent to over five hundred operators in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

16 For the list of companies and research entities in regional tenders aimed at promoting innovation, see Appendix 2.

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Chapter 4 - The wind power sector

The wind power sector benefits not only from a clear competitive advantage, given Apulia’s high winds, but also from the industrial expertise that has progressively developed there. Apulia boasts a significant presence of major operators and overall the region would appear to possess considerable industrial and design capa- cities.

Apulia’s manufacturing sector appears to be complete: there are firms working in the field of anemological campaigns, manufacturers of energy-generating windmills, manufacturers of electromechanical and hydraulic components and tower manufacturers. Manufacturing activities that particularly stand out include the production of wind towers, turbines and blades. Apulia is home to the sole Italian factory of the Danish multinational Vestas, a world leader in the production of turbines. There is also significant production of small wind turbines, a sector in which Jonica Impianti operates, producing turbines that feature an innovative electrical generator. Finally there is no lack of research and development activities, conducted both by manufacturing firms and firms developing specific projects in the wind power field (such as Pneoil, Sol.Tec, CSD and Castello di Mon- teserico), and service activities (consultancy firms). The most innovative research activities concern new methods for determining the characteristics of wind power sites. To these we may add incremental development activities that aim primarily to improve the energy efficiency of windmills and turbines for ad hoc uses. In this last sector we find a number of small firms involved in these development activities, including partnerships with universities in and outside Apulia. There are, then several initiatives that regard new installations by firms outside the region. One of the experimental and research projects worthy of mention is the Kite Wind Generator or Kitegen, an innovative concept in wind power generators based on a vertical rotation axis. Wind energy is captured by semi-rigid wings controlled by cables fixed to the ground where the energy-generating machinery is located. The main advantage of these kites in comparison with the traditional energy-generating windmill is that they can be taken to altitudes at which average wind strength is higher. The firm developing the Kitegen project is interested in applying it on a prototype basis in Apulia.

Because of the project’s innovative nature, mention should then be made of the potential creation of an off- shore deep-water wind farm by SkySaver. Project initiatives of this kind are characterised by high degrees of innovativeness and potential, yet at the same time are difficult to implement from an engineering point of view in the Italian context, due to the presence of seabeds that are rather deep on average. Aspects relating to innovation would appear to be related to plant design rather than strictly to energy itself17. A further potentially positive aspect of the off-shore initiatives lies in the possibility of reactivating, at a local level, expertise developed in the area of shipbuilding in recent years, which after the decommissioning of a number of manufacturing sites has not been put to adequate use. Another interesting initiative is the one undertaken in the Foggia area by Fortore Energia which, being strongly rooted among local enterprises, answers the need to consolidate and develop concerted actions involving local communities. The absence of such actions in fact often impedes the development of projects in the energy field, which may actually represent paths towards broad economic development on a local scale.

17 Such features increase the cost of off-shore systems, meaning that the investment is justified only in the case of high average wind strengths at the site.

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The table below provides some information in brief about firms operating in Apulia which were recorded in the project’s census of the sector.

Table 10 - Firms operating in the wind power sector in Apulia

Location Turnover1 Employees Year Firm (in millions Plants/installations in Apulia 1 founded Main headquarters of euros) in Apulia Vestas Italia srl Taranto Taranto 481,82,4 4272,4 1997 Tozzi Sud SpA Foggia province of Foggia 61,72 5102 1980 Asja Ambiente Italia Spa Rivoli (TO) Laterza (TA) 40,32 n.d. 1995 Inergia SpA Ascoli Piceno Lecce 29,72 n.d. 2003 Leucci Costruzioni srl Brindisi 12,23 1203 1996 Sistemi Energetici srl Foggia province of Foggia 5,92 n.d. 2002 Brulli Energia srl Reggio Emilia Orsara di Apulia (FG) 5,5 n.d. 1999 Lucky Wind SpA Foggia Accadia (FG) 3,3 13 1995 Fortore Energia SpA Lucera (FG) province of Foggia 1,12 n.d. 2001 Jonica Impianti società cooperativa Lizzano (TA) 1,1 21 1992 CSD srl Conversano (BA) 1,0 5 2003 Castello di Monteserico Group Spinazzola (BA) Bari 0,6 16 2006 Pneoil sas Crispiano (TA) 0,2 6 n.d. Sol.Tec Crispiano (TA) 0,1 4 n.d. SkySaver srl Santeramo in Colle (BA) Tricase (BR) n.d. 7 2003 Wind Service srl Soleto (LE) province of Lecce n.d. 5 2003 Torre Santa Susanna (BR), Gruppo Italgest Melissano (LE) Nardò (LE), n.d. n.d. n.d. Panni and Bovino (FG)

1 Unless otherwise stated, data were provided by the firms themselves and refer to 2006. 2 Data taken from the Aida database for 2006. 3 Data taken from the Aida database for 2005. 4 Data regarding turnover and number of employees also include the following two firms: Vestas Nacelles Italia srl and Vestas Blades srl. Source: ARTI

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4.1 The wind power sector: manufacturing firms

As already mentioned, Apulia’s manufacturing sector is complete. It has significant industrial experience, although it does not display clear traits of innovativeness in technological terms.

Taranto is the location of the sole Italian factory of the Danish multinational Vestas, the largest manufacturer of wind turbines in the world (with a global market share of around 30%). Vestas Italia was established as IWT out of a joint-venture between Finmeccanica and Vestas Wind Systems, which in 2001 acquired complete ownership of IWT, its name changing to the present one in 2005. Currently Vestas has two plants in Taranto with a manufacturing capacity of 550 turbines per year. The Taranto site also com- missions and services wind farms located in the eastern Mediterranean basin. During its 10 years of operation, Vestas Italia has introduced several innovative products18. Research and development mainly takes place in Denmark, while Taranto is essentially a manufacturing site. Nevertheless, there are partnerships in progress with two departments of the Politecnico di Bari (the Department of Environmen- tal Engineering and Sustainable Development at the Engineering Faculty of Taranto and the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Management), under a project funded by the Apulia Region for the improvement of simulation programs to determine the wind characteristics of sites by means of fluid dynamics-based simulations, and with the Laser Centre (anemometric campaigns conducted using the Lidar system).

Jonica Impianti operates as a cooperative in the area of micro-generation. Founded by former Finmecca- nica employees, Jonica is a firm that is active vertically throughout the whole sector: from the design stage to the installation and maintenance of small wind turbines (energy-generating windmills below 100 kW), essentially aimed at farms and small companies, for both on- and off-grid users. The turbine currently in production features an innovative electrical generator (synchronous axial-flow, multi-pole permanent ma- gnets, directly attached to the rotor). This turbine is installed in several wind farms in Tuscany, the Ve- neto, Apulia, Calabria, Lombardy, Campania, Piedmont, Trentino and Sicily. The firm is active in research and development; of particular note is the project for the development of processes of transformation and design of innovative structural components in composite materials for small-scale wind power generators and solar thermal panels, a project in progress with Solar Constructions, Special Processes and the Department of Engineering Innovation of the University of Salento (a strategic project funded by the Apulia Region). The company also took part in the European Union’s Sixth Framework Programme for Re- search (2000-06) with a project on the use of thermography for the preservation of turbines together with, among others the Italian Section of the International Solar Energy Society - ISES Italia. The company is currently developing a lightweight, 100-kW machine, and a joint project is underway with the Po- litecnico di Bari (Department of Electronic Engineering and Electronics) to develop innovations in inverters (converters) and to optimise the energy conversion stage of a small-scale wind turbine. Other scientific partnerships are in progress with the Università degli Studi di Bari and the CETMA consortium.

Tozzi Sud is a firm that operates at an international level between its Foggia plant and sites located around the world in the field of industrial electrical plant engineering. Over time the group has extended its operations, moving into electricity production, initially building traditional or combined-cycle power stations and subsequently concentrating on renewable energy sources, and especially on wind (with wind farms in several zones of the Tavoliere). Through Tozzi Renewable Energy, its subsidiary in the field

18 V42-660kW and V44-600kW turbines, fixed speed with pitch control; OptiTip and OptiSlip systems which, with their improved ability to control gusts, improve energy efficiency; V47-660kW turbine, the first to be manufactured in the innovative material Prepreg, a fibreglass used in the aviation industry; V52-850kW, the first va- riable-speed turbine to incorporate the innovative OptiSpeed system, which allows energy efficiency to be maximised and noise to be minimised.

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of renewables, it has specialised in the creation of this type of system with low environmental impact. Daunia Wind, another company in the group, is ready to build a number of wind farms in Capitanata and other provinces in Apulia. The company has active partnerships with universities and research centres. Through Tozzi Nord, an engineering firm with headquarters in Trento, it has initiated a research, development and prototype-testing project for innovative windmills for energy generation over a broad area. The project will be developed jointly with the University of Trento, Università “La Sapienza” in Rome, the Politecnico di Bari and the University of Marche. Furthermore, the company is actively involved in other sectors. With regard to solar power, it has initiated a joint project with the National Nanotechno- logy Laboratory of Lecce (among other things it is also one of the funders of the new molecular nanotechnology laboratory), the purpose of which is to put into production photoelectrochemical cells (DSSC or dye-sensitised solar cells, using an organic colourant), that is, hybrid organic/inorganic cells as an alternative to silicon-based cells. With the Institute of Technology for Alternative Energy in Messina (ITAE- CNR) it is working on two projects: the first aims to create low-cost prototypes for direct generation of hydrogen from solar energy (photoelectrochemical cells), while the purpose of the second is to create prototype regenerative fuel cells which are made from a combination of an electrolyser (an electrochemical cell fuelled by electricity that produces hydrogen) and a fuel cell (an electrochemical cell fuelled by hydrogen that produces electricity), to be used as a back-up energy source for hospitals, schools and other public buildings. Finally the company also has joint projects with the Università degli Studi in Fog- gia in the biomass sector.

Leucci Costruzioni operates in the engineering sector. Since 1986 the company has been part of the Fochi Group in Bologna, which specialises in the building of plants for energy generation. Specifically with regard to the renewables sector, it manufactures steel towers for wind turbines and evaporators for de- salinisation plants19. There are several energy producers (also from outside the region) and projects for new installations. As previously mentioned, of the projects currently underway, one of particular significance in terms of innovativeness is the initiative of SkySaver. The firm, which forms part of the international group Blue H and in which the Luxembourg’s Dufenergy has a stake, aims to be the first company in the world to inau- gurate an off-shore deep-water wind farm20. The project initially envisages the installation on the sea, at a depth of 110 metres, of a prototype, tension-leg floating platform, similar to those used for the extraction of petroleum, located under the water level, off Tricase in the province of Lecce, more than 20 kilometres from the shore. In December 2007 the first prototype was fixed in position in the sea off Tri- case. The platform has a particular system of anchorage system at sea, with a two-blade turbine (lighter than a three-blade one and therefore with fewer problems connected to transportation and fixing at sea). The project envisages the installation of 24 platforms by 2011, for a total of 90 MW of installed power, with investment totalling 191 million euros. The utilisation of Green Certificates should make the investment partly self-financing. This project benefits from public funding of about 5 million euros under “PIA Innovazione” (a scheme of integrated facilitation packages)21. SkySaver is working together with Jo- nica Impianti to develop an ad hoc turbine for floating platforms, and with shipbuilder Cantieri Navali C.B.S. in Brindisi, where the prototype was built.

19 Its towers are installed in several wind farms, including those of San Benedetto Val di Sembro (province of Bologna), Celle San Vito (province of Foggia), Rocchetta Sant’Antonio (province of Foggia), Sclafani Bagni (province of Palermo), Carlentini (province of Siracuse), Frigento (province of Benevento) and Ginestra Schiavoni (province of Benevento). 20 It is an off-shore deep-water system, starting from a depth of 50 metres. Italy’s coastline is characterised by deep water beginning just a few kilometres from the shore. Therefore, conventional off-shore generation technologies are not directly applicable. 21 In addition the project constitutes a genuinely integrated system: the central part of the platform is designed to house a system for the production of hydrogen from a renewable source. With regard to this aspect a joint project is underway with the Department of Engineering Innovation of the University of Salento. The oxygen deriving from this process will also be used for mariculture operations. In this connection, together with the Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Te- chnology of the University of Salento, SkySaver is designing bio-compatible counterweights.

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Lucky Wind is a company that specialises exclusively in designing, manufacturing and operating plants that produce electricity from wind power. It has operated a 24-turbine wind farm in the province of Fog- gia, in Accadia (the first wind power site in Italy), since 1999, with an installed power capacity of over 10 MW. Lucky Wind’s development activities include locating sites for the future construction of wind farms in several foreign countries that are particularly interesting for their strong winds (Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Bulgaria, Albania and Kosovo). An interesting initiative, in that it responds to the need expressed by several players to reinforce and develop concerted actions involving the local area, is the one undertaken by Fortore Energia. Its distinctive feature is its strong ties with local firms, insofar as renewable energy sources particularly lend themselves to the building of a path towards economic development on a local scale which sees the broad participation of local firms. Fortore Energia is a company in which 28 local authorities that make up 2 mountain communities (Fortore Beneventano and Monti Dauni Settentrionali) hold a stake, currently 10% of the firm’s capital. Today the Foltore Group has extended to include a number of enterprises and consortiums operating in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors (Fen Energia, the Romagna Energy Consortium and ETS) and groups within the food industry (including the Orogel Group, the Ama- dori Group and the Conserve Italia Group), which hold the remaining share of the capital. The firm specialises in designing, building and operating plant and services for the production of renewable energy, and is active above all in the wind power sector. It manages two wind farms in Roseto Valfortore – Pon- ticelli and San Chirico – for a total of over 30 MW of installed power capacity and other wind farms in the province of Foggia. The energy produced is distributed to firms belonging to the consortium, who in turn may sell energy to the local Authorities22. Lastly, another point to mention, is the recent setting-up of a mixed public/private company (the procedure for which has been completed except for the conference of planning permission issuing bodies) for the purpose of investment in a small wind farm for the village of Roseto Valfortore; the project envisages the subsequent issue of shares to local residents.

A similar initiative has been started in Orsara di Apulia, in the province of Foggia, where the local authority and the company Brulli Energia have stipulated an agreement for the creation of a wind farm within the former’s administrative area, with a maximum power output of 60 MW. Under the agreement the local authority will receive 50% of pre-tax profits from the farm for the entire duration of the agreement (thirty years), with a guaranteed minimum of 10% of revenues deriving from the sale of Green Certifica- tes and electricity. The agreement contains a series of features that operate in the local authority’s favour, including the absence of financial risk. Furthermore, the company is committed to training local labour, which will be involved in building and operating the wind farm.23

22 One of the lines of action in support of local development on which Foltore Energia is presently working is “Fattorie del Vento” (Wind Farms), the purpose of which is to promote a form of innovative entrepreneurship to make use of micro-generation of wind energy on a small and medium scale, thus increasing the income of small farmers. In addition, it is conducting projects regarding biomass (in Troia, to be used for a district heating plant) and photovoltaics. These projects form part of the “Azienda Agrienergetica” (“Agrienergy Enterprise”) and “EcoDistretto” (“EcoDistrict”) initiatives. 23 The initiatives recorded in our initial census stage include others that have been or are being completed. Recently, not far from Lecce, a wind farm was opened by Inergia, based in Ascoli Piceno (of the Santarelli Group in Rome), with a total installed power capacity of 36 MW. Other projects underway regard the Asja Ambiente Italia Group, which is developing a 40-MW system in Laterza (province of Taranto), plans to build one in San Pancrazio Salentino (province of Brindisi) and is interested in developing, also in Apulia, other renewable energy sources; the Italgest Group, which is planning to build, inside the Integrated Pole for renewable energy and energy saving, four plants: two in the Salento region and two in the province of Foggia (see Box 2); Sistemi Energetici, which has received the go-ahead from the Apulia regional authority for the building of wind farms in the province of Foggia (Deliceto, Lucera and Troia); and Wind Service which is developing wind farms in the province of Lecce (in Martignano, for a total of 20 MW of installed power capacity, and in Giuggianello, for a total of 28 MW) as well as new models of micro- turbine. Lastly we should mention the interest of the Spanish group Gamesa, one of the most important producers in the world, in developing on-shore and off-shore wind power in Apulia.

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Box 1 - The wind power sector: research and development activity

CSD is a consultancy firm advising clients in the development of power stations supplying electricity from renewable energy sources as well as providing feasibility studies for producing cultures of tropical seeds. Currently it is engaged in a joint project with the Department of Environmental Engineering and Sustaina- ble Development at the Engineering Faculty of Taranto for the development of a horizontally rotating wind power system. The Castello Group of Monteserico is engaged in the development of alternative energy initiatives that can be activated in agriculture (see section 6.1). In conjunction with the Politecnico di Milano (Department of Aerospace Engineering) it is also developing a low-cost, high-efficiency 20-kW wind turbine. Pneoil and Sol.Tec, the latter owned by Cosimo Massimiliano Marangi, are two firms in the province of Ta- ranto that are working in partnership with each other on a project that has repercussions for the wind power sector: the development of an oil hydraulic system for wind turbine blade movement, in order to make the movement of the blade more flexible in relation to the direction of the wind, thus increasing power output.

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Chapter 5 - The solar power sector

Solar power systems are of two types: photovoltaic and thermal. Solar thermal technology makes it possible to transform the energy associated with solar radiation into heat energy. Systems vary according to the temperature of the heat-transfer fluid, and can be classified as follows: high-temperature solar thermal or thermodynamic solar technology, used for the production of electricity; medium-temperature solar thermal; and low-temperature solar thermal, which is the most widely used solution in terms of plant design.

The activity of surveying the situation in Apulia highlighted the existence of significant potential for solar thermal technology in low-temperature applications, such as heating of buildings and sanitary water, summer air conditioning of buildings and several industrial processes. In general, solar thermal has beneficial effects for manufacturing and employment, such as: developing high levels of professional expertise, in particular in research, in marketing, in the optimisation of energy efficiency and in thermal monitoring; and providing a boost for niche research into composite materials for parabolic dishes, such as nano-particles and high-insulation glass micro-spheres, or aerogel, which might be produced in Italy on a significant scale thanks to excellent potential for replication, thus replacing imports from the Uni- ted States.

In addition, our direct survey would appear to show that the feasibility of manufacturing 100-120°C solar panels on an industrial scale is close to becoming a reality. These would be used to power “absorption chiller units” with the capacity to replace air conditioners during hot periods (through what is known as solar cooling). In this regard it has been possible to reduce the power of the lithium bromide-fuelled units to be combined with these solar panels, reducing power outputs from 20 kW down to 4.5 kW. This downsizing could enable a part of the current air conditioners to be replaced with expansion-based elements (the previous scale of 20 kW in fact was excessive for residential applications).

From a longer-term perspective (and from the research viewpoint) mention should be made of the potential offered by thermodynamic solar technology in the area of electricity production. In this sphere a promising technology appears to be that based on parabolic panels, which achieve temperatures of 150-300°C, and for which the Salento region possesses leading-edge experience. The development of such technology would enable a strong impact to be made upon solar thermal applications in the industrial sector, which operates mainly at temperatures of this kind, thus extending solar’s field of application beyond the frozen-food and food industry where it can be currently applied. The successive technological phase lies around the threshold of 450°C. A highly innovative technology for the achievement of high temperatures is what is known as “solar tracking” using motorised systems.

In December 2007 a protocol agreement was signed between the Department of the Environment and the Regional Authorities of Lazio, Apulia and Calabria in order for them to host a number of pilot projects for thermodynamic solar concentration technology, which would join the project already underway in Priolo, Sicily. In order to develop this source a task force has been set up, consisting of about 15 experts, headed by the Nobel Laureate Carlo Rubbia. The task force will have the duty of preparing a development plan and coordinating the activities contained in the protocol agreements signed with the Regional Au- thorities. The aim of the agreement is to build ten 50-MW power stations and to spread the use of thermodynamic solar technology to North Africa. With regard to the localisation of the plants in the regions concerned, the projects are still in their initial stages. It is the Department of the Environment’s inten- tion to finalise regulations that provide an incentive for energy produced from thermodynamic solar concentration technology, after the Spanish model.

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The situation in Apulia overall would seem to demonstrate sufficient research and industrial capacity (for example, the province of Lecce is the home of Idaltermo, one of the few firms in Italy specialising in solar collectors and related water circulation systems), which for solar thermal may form the basis for sustained development characterised by a high degree of innovativeness. Manufacturing activities combine with research and development activities directed towards continuous innovations in solar thermal applications (Idaltermo, CMG Solari, Gruppo Etis) and also towards the ac- complishment of longer-term projects involving thermodynamic solar technology. Costruzioni Solari, a company located in the province of Lecce, is particularly active in these fields, as is evidenced by its participation in a project financed by the Ministry for Universities and Research which involves other enterprises and universities (based in Apulia and elsewhere) and which is directed towards the establishment of a centre/laboratory specialising in research into innovative technical solutions for the building of high-temperature solar systems for the production of electricity, both directly (from thermodynamic cycles) and indirectly (through thermochemical processes for the production of hydrogen-rich fuels).

In the field of solar photovoltaics several major new installations are planned, for example a large solar photovoltaic power station in Brindisi by the Salento company Italgest. Apulia can boast manufacturing expertise in this sector too: the province of Foggia is home to a company (Depasol) which produces photovoltaic panels and supporting structures for photovoltaic systems; while the province of Brindisi is the location of a branch of a Padua-based firm which produces and installs photovoltaic systems. Furthermore there are operations directed towards improving the efficiency of existing panels (Spelit) or their integration from an architectural perspective. There are also firms engaged in research into the incremental improvement of technologies (Mengoli Elettromeccanica, Rienergia).

Lastly, many enterprises are present in the Apulia region in the design and building stages of both thermal and photovoltaic systems (for example EnerGENIA in the photovoltaic field). These firms, which for the most part were established recently, include a number of enterprises engaged in development activities.

The table below provides some information in brief about firms operating in Apulia which were recorded in the project’s census of the sector.

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Table 11 - Firms operating in the solar power sector in Apulia

Location Turnover1 Employees Year Firm (in millions in Apulia 1 ounded Main headquarters Plants/installations in Apulia of euros)

SE Project srl San Pietro in Gù (PD) Brindisi 77,5 10 1994 S.P.E.S. Gioia SpA Gioia del Colle (BA) Gioia del Colle (BA) 3,3 52 2004 Matrix srl Conversano (BA) 3,0 60 1993 Gruppo Etis Tecnologie srl Bitonto (BA) 2,0 21 2003 Mengoli Mario Galatina (LE) Soleto (LE) 2,0 30 1970 Elettromeccanica srl Costruzioni Solari srl Cavallino (LE) Cavallino (LE) 1,5 14 1979 Idaltermo srl Acquarica del Capo (LE) Acquarica del Capo (LE) 1,02 102 1989 CMG Solari Melissano (LE) Melissano (LE) 0,7 7 1981 Plasma Solution srl Bari Valenzano (BA) 0,53 8 2004 Modutech Bari 0,2 3 2002 Rienergia srl Montemesola (TA) 0,1 4 2005 Spelit srl Bari 0,0 2 2005 Depasol EcoEnergy Systems Trinitapoli (FG) Trinitapoli (FG) n.d. n.d. 1999 EnerGENIA Conversano (BA) n.d. 4 2006 Gruppo Italgest Melissano (LE) Brindisi n.d. n.d. n.d.

1 Unless otherwise stated, data were provided by the firms themselves and refer to 2006. 2 Data taken from the Aida database for 2004. 3 Data taken from the Aida database for 2006.

Source: ARTI

5.1 The solar power sector: manufacturing firms

Costruzioni Solari produces high-efficiency solar panels, horizontal and vertical boilers, and related products (supporting structures, hydraulic and electronic components – control units and thermostats), in addition to systems and control units designed to manage the system, reduce maintenance, improve safety and autonomy and to meter the cost of energy. The firm is characterised by research and experimentation in innovative solutions in the solar thermal field. It holds two European licences (one for a distribution, management, measurement and metering kit for a solar thermal system, potentially combined with other energy sources; the other for enhancing a solar boiler). Its research is presently focused on two fields: high-efficiency flat solar panels (with improved insulation) for temperatures of around 100°-120°C for supplying heat during the winter period (as a replacement for natural gas) in enclosed spaces and for cooling by means of absorption chiller units during the summer period (solar cooling), not only for residential uses; and non-focalised, small-scale parabolic dishes for producing steam at 250°C for industrial applications (a project funded by the MUR). Over a longer timescale, the firm plans to develop the technology to achieve temperatures of up to 400°C, that is temperatures from which electricity may potentially be generated through the building of small electrical power stations. In its research into thermodynamic solar technology, the firm is a mem-

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ber of the Solar project, the aim of which is to achieve temperatures of up to 600°C24. Another project which the firm plans to initiate concerns carbon nano-tubes, connected to polymers which act as donors. Costruzioni Solari has a broad network of joint projects both with other firms and universities and research centres: the University of Salento (Department of Engineering Innovation), the Politecnico di Mi- lano (Department of Energetics), the CNA in Rome, R.B.M. in Brescia, Radiant Bruciatori in Pesaro, Turboden in Brescia and the CETMA consortium.

Idaltermo is one of the few firms in Italy specialising in solar collectors and related water circulation systems. The collectors are designed, manufactured and tested in its factories25. The firm also has a presence on overseas markets through its products.

CMG Solari is a firm specialising in solar thermal plant design. One of the innovative aspects of its products is their improved aesthetics and greater architectural integration. Furthermore it has recently introduced onto the market a system featuring natural circulation, characterised by a totally-sealed circuit based on evapora- tion and condensation which is particularly simple to install and service. Its projects include a new heat storage system.

With regard to solar photovoltaics, Depasol EcoEnergy Systems is the only Apulia-based manufacturer of photovoltaic panels and supporting structures for photovoltaic systems. Depasol’s market includes all residential, industrial and commercial applications for both stand-alone or grid-connected solutions. The firm’s plans include the establishment of another two companies: Depasol Silicon, for the manufacture of silicon ingots and wafers, and GD Cells, for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells.

Recently SE Project opened its technical office for Southern Italy in Brindisi. The Padua-based firm specialises in the production and installation of multicrystalline and monocrystalline silicon. Specifically, it specialises in the production of modules and systems integrated architecturally through the use of semi- transparent solutions. It also develops and builds remote monitoring systems for photovoltaic installations.

With regard to new installations, in addition to the significant creation of a photovoltaic power station in Brin- disi described in Box 2, we should mention the activity of Servizi Polifunzionali EcoSostenibili which is over- seeing the installation of photovoltaic systems on the school buildings of Gioia del Colle, as well as the installation of wind power systems26.

Matrix’s research and development activities revolve around the following sectors: renewable energy (above all photovoltaic), sensor networks, ICT and power electronics. It has an MUR-accredited research laboratory. Spe- cifically it has patented (with the patent being recently recognised at the international level) a device that permits energy efficiency improvements in final use and above all a new means of managing the temporal priorities of electrical loads when photovoltaic systems are installed on buildings. Its current research activities also regard the areas of photovoltaics and energy savings. It is currently engaged in a project with the University of Salerno to develop low-cost photovoltaic inverters that can be connected to a home automation system. Ano- ther expansion of the system provides for integration with hydrogen fuel cells for total integration between renewable energy sources. Also in association with the University of Salerno, it is developing a “single-panel converter”, that is, an electronic board which accomplishes the function of maximum power transfer for each

24 For further details about the project, refer to Box 6 regarding the activities of CREA. 25 The main material used is “Blu Select” copper with Titanium, characterised by high absorbency and for which technical manufacturing specifications are used. 26 The firm operates in the fields of waste collection, public lighting and management of advertising spaces for the local authority of Gioia del Colle.

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panel, in order to improve the power output of the overall system (by up to 20%) by avoiding inefficiencies. Such know-how might be used to integrate photovoltaic panels into prefabricated modular building structures. In addition to the University of Salerno, it has joint projects with the Politecnico di Bari, ENEA in Brindisi and Ener- GENIA in Tera.

Plasma Solution, a spin-off of the University of Bari’s Chemistry Department, specialises in processes of sur- face modifications to materials with low-temperature plasma technology and the design of plasma reactors from the laboratory to the industrial scale. Of the several activities that it conducts, many of which are in conjunction with the Chemistry Department, there are some that may have a significant impact on renewable energy technologies: barrier film deposits of various technologies and types, with particularly advantageous characteristics, above all for materials that must resist the effects of atmospheric agents, such as solar panels. In addition, a project has been developed for Depasol to treat crucibles in order to produce silicon with innovative low-doped characteristics27.

With regard to other research and development activities conducted by firms, mention should be made of the activities of the following: the Etis Tecnologie Group, which is developing a new technology directed towards increasing the temperature of the water in solar thermal collectors; Mengoli Elettro- meccanica, which is working on the design of photovoltaic systems for solar tracking without the use of electronic equipment28; Rienergia, which is developing systems for controlling the performance of networked photovoltaic systems; Spelit, which is conducting studies into applications for obtaining the maximum output possible in the design and building of photovoltaic systems with the use of panels and conversion equipment already available on the market and for optimising output from conversion as well as electric and electronic circuit design for inverters; EnerGENIA, which, as a tester in association with other firms in the sector, is working on a project for building systems with photovoltaic modules with an integrated on-board analogue control device, a solution which should improve the energy efficiency of panels29; Modutech, with its MUR-accredited laboratory, which has already introduced innovations in the field of renewable energy such as a high-efficiency transparent photovoltaic gel, a biomass-fired combined heat and power plant and a zero-impact heat generation system. It is currently engaged in developing a combined heat and power plant with zero environmental impact. Its main academic partner is the Politecnico di Milano.

27 The term “doping” in relation to pure semiconductors (such as silicon, in fact) refers to the process of introducing into them certain impurities which alter their characteristics. 28 Other projects are directed towards biomass (methods which do not require combustion processes) and energy saving on a small, medium and large scale. 29 In addition, they are interested in developing economical solutions which make it possible to integrate photovoltaic systems with the use of hydrogen, in order to create off-grid systems that are much more efficient and reliable than ones running on traditional batteries. It has joint projects with academic institutions (the Politecnico di Bari, the University of Salerno) and other research centres (ENEA in Brindisi, Matrix in Conversano).

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Chapter 6 - The biomass sector (agri-energy)

Biomass is one of the topics that most readily captures the interest of firms – and not only farming enterprises – in Apulia, as a result of the changes being made to the Common Agricultural Policy (insofar as they are seen as supplementary income sources for farmers), of the interest shown in substituting traditional fuels, and of the prospects for energy conversion of the farming industry30. For farmers in particular, energy production from biomass is seen as an opportunity to revive the farming sector and as a solution for closing the agro-industrial waste cycle, based on reutilisation, thus moving in the direction of a multifunctional conception of agriculture.

A thorny issue is whether to opt for a “short-chain” model in which added value is integrated within the local area, or an alternative “long-chain” model, which is decentralised both vertically and geographically. PEAR in Apulia has expressed itself in favour of the former. Given the high impact in terms of the energy consumption of transport, it is doubtful whether importing biomass from other geographical areas as fuels to be used in energy conversion is beneficial from an environmental viewpoint. It is true, however, that for initiatives on a certain scale recourse to imports seems to be indispensable, given that there is insufficient potentially available land in the region. It should be pointed out in any case that such a choice inevitably weakens the potential for establishing a local energy supply chain, by reducing the benefits to the Apulia region; furthermore, if not carefully managed and monitored it risks being transferred overseas, essentially onto developing countries, and causing significant environmental and social problems31. On an economic level, biomass production may be advantageous for the farming sector on condition that crops with a sufficient per-hectare yield are produced or when “short-chain” solutions are chosen, based on the raw material being used near where it is produced or by producers themselves. In Apulia there is a large amount of land potentially available for dedicated crops deriving from the retirement of traditional crops (tomato, sugarbeet) or from areas opened up by the introduction of short-rotation food crops with which waste produce from agriculture (olive and wine growing) and agro-industry (above all residues from olive and grape processing) is associated.32

In energy conversion, solid biomass is a highly attractive option. There may be good prospects for biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas (biomethane) obtained from cereal crops, which are suffering from a change of direction in the Common Agricultural Policy (known as “decoupling”). Particular promise is held by biogas obtained through anaerobic digestion of dedicated crops and the lignocellulose sector with energy production based on a short chain or through gasification processes; the latter option is connected to the topic of second- generation bio-fuels, to which we will return later.

30 An in-depth assessment of bio-energy issues in the Apulia region is contained in Pellerano et al. (2007). 31 The experience of Delta Petroli provides a real-life example of the potential features of international joint projects. The firm aims to create an agri-energy supply chain involving operations producing green energy in various fields of action. To realise such an energy project it is necessary to integrate it with an “extended” supply chain project which would involve a number of areas which were previously undergoing deforestation in northern Madagascar in order to supplement production in Apulia, thus adding ethical value to the business initiative and thereby earning a sort of “double dividend”. 32 Of the lands that are candidates for conversion to bio-fuel use we would mention those used for sugarbeet, a traditional crop in the Apulia region which over recent decades has undergone a crisis as a result of a collapse in prices and the crisis in the sugar industry, and tomatoes (in the Foggia area), an industry in difficulty due to the appearance of phytopathologies probably resulting from intensive exploitation of broad areas to supply the canning and bottling industry. A similar ar- gument could be made for wheat, a crop which requires an extremely limited use of productive factors: with the reform of the PAC, land areas historically given over to cereal cultivation become candidates for bio-fuel crops. With regard to dedicated crops one that seems to offer good prospects is Arundo donax (giant reed). It is a crop that makes few demands in terms of water and fertilisation, and offers advantages in environmental terms and with regard to hydro-geological retention. Of the oil-producing crops we should mention Brassica carinata, similar to rapeseed and containing active ingredients capable of substituting methyl bromide (ban- ned in 2008), already grown on an experimental basis in Sicily, and Jatropha Curcas, a tropical plant which would readily adapt to Apulia’s land and climate (it does not require, for instance, large quantities water and is able to reproduce with modest degrees of human intervention, so much so that it possesses almost weed- like characteristics). It lends itself to a multiplicity of uses (ranging from use in basic diesel-fuelled generators for heating to use in lighting in place of petroleum). At university agricultural research centres in Bari and Foggia experimental seed cultures of north African origin are undergoing testing. The comparative advantage of bio-fuels is also evident in soils cultivated for vegetables, if they are planted according to the logic of correct agronomical rotation.

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An assessment of prospects for developing residue oils derived from olive processing is more complex. Critical aspects include the high level of humidity of oil residues (which affects their effective heat-generating potential), location, cost and environmental issues connected to storage, the risks of fermentation, and the impact of pollution produced by burning them. While on one hand there are signs of market saturation, tensions in the price of the raw material and resistance to location of processing plants, on the other a number of niche initiatives are emerging with the potential to exploit lands tradi- tionally given over to oil cultivation. An interesting example of this is the initiative of a local firm in the Salento region which, in association with enterprises from outside the region, plans to use residue oils from olive processing both for direct combustion and through gasification. The project’s main objective consists of integration with agricultural supply chains present in the Salento region. Second-generation bio-fuels would appear to have valid prospects (ethanol from lignocellulosic frac- tions or biodiesel from gasification). These make significant benefits achievable in terms of efficiency, as they enable the whole plant to be used, and not merely the most valued parts (such as the grain and the seed) and do not require dedicated crops, as crop residues can be used. Their feasibility depends on reliable assessments of the crop’s energy quality (yield) and technology. By adopting techniques deriving from the petroleum industry it should be possible, over a relatively short time period (5-7 years), to set in motion initiatives which will benefit the Apulia region (for instance cereal crop waste, especially in Capitanata and bio-refining processes) and which are capable of improving the degree to which the product is used. Such technologies must in any case be sustained by carefully-targeted research initiatives over the medium term.

A significant factor in exploiting the benefits offered by energy produced from biomass are its multifunctional, conditional nature, which makes it preferable that biomass projects be placed in local settings to which they can bring clear agronomical and environmental benefits. More generally, the challenge consists in the possibility of growing biomass that is weed-like in nature, locating crops in extensive marginal areas, abandoned or soon-to-be abandoned lands. In this way it would be possible to offer new productive opportunities to the farming sector, preventing the aban- donment of the soil as well as the importation of raw materials from other regions or abroad, as already mentioned, to make up the shortfall in domestic or local supply.

Interest in the bio-fuels sector in Apulia is confirmed by the presence of national groups which have included projects for installations in the region in their investment plans. Not all of these initiatives however are characterised by a high degree on innovativeness on the technological and/or management level, being essentially geared towards energy production. At the same time it is difficult to separate clearly those subjects engaged in technologically progressive activities from those active in energy production. It is often those very producers (or subjects involved in the manufacturing side such as the Sofinter Group) who experiment with new crops or new systems for exploiting the energy potential of biomass. Activities conducted in the Apulia region range from experimentation with non-food crops (Castello di Monteserico Group), to oil refining for combustion plants (Marseglia) and the development of other processes for making biomass available for use in energy production (4nrg, Pelco, Ca- stello di Monteserico, Socoges, Italgest Ricerca, MS Costruzioni), to the production of bio-fuels (Ital Bi Oil, Delta Petroli). There is also no lack of enterprises engaged in plant construction, including combined heat and power plants (CoGe Engineering) and in the production of electricity from biomass (Ital Green Energy, Appia Energy). There are also operating and research activities that regard closing the cycle of waste and its re-evaluation from an energy viewpoint (ITEA, Progeva).

There are several proposals for new installations of biomass-fired plants (Asja Ambiente, Sistemi Energe- tici, Gruppo Ciccolella, Italgest). We should also mention the presence of several enterprises engaged in de-

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signing and building plants and providing various services (consultancy services and “business angel” ac- tivities33). The table below provides some information in brief about firms operating in Apulia which were recorded in the project’s census of the sector.

Table 12 - Firms operating in the agri-energy sector in Apulia

Turnover1 Location Employees Year Firm (in millions in Apulia 1 ounded Main headquarters Plants/installations in Apulia of euros) Marcegaglia Mantova Taranto 1.987,55 n.d. 1983 Appia Energy Massafra (TA) 14,43 353 2000 E.T.A. Crotone Manfredonia (FG) 23,83 n.d. 1990 Marseglia GroupCasa Monopoli (BA) 550,0 n.d. 1974 Olearia SpA Monopoli (BA) 246,63 443 1990 Ital Green Energy srl Monopoli (BA) 65,3 183 1999 Ital Bi Oil srl Monopoli (BA) 38,24 124 1993 Caviro Società Cooperativa Faenza (RA) Carapelle (FG) 292,0 n.d. 1966 Agricola Ansaldo Caldaie SpA Gioia del Colle (BA) 191,13 5003 1964 ITEA SpA2 Gioia del Colle (BA) 6,7 25 1961 Ricciarelli Spa Pistoia Corigliano (LE), Molfetta (BA) 16,13 n.d. 1985 Delta Petroli SpA Roma Bisceglie (BA) 11,93 n.d. 1979 Sistemi Energetici srl Foggia 5,93 n.d. 2002 Socoges srl Monopoli (BA) 5,0 20 1992 4nrg srl Roma Casarano (LE) 2,06 4 2003 CSD srl Conversano (BA) 1,0 5 2003 Spinazzola (BA) 0,6 16 2006 Castello di Monteserico Group CDM Società Agricola srl Spinazzola (BA) n.d. 12 2007 Castello di Monteserico srl Banzi (PZ) n.d. n.d. n.d STC srl Corigliano Calabro (CS) Mesagne (BR) 0,5 9 2001 Occhilupo&Partners Manduria (TA) 0,1 2 2001 Powerflor srl Molfetta (BA) Molfetta (BA) 0,0 4 2002 Keinstar Associates srl Taranto 0,0 4 2005 CoGe Engineering srl Bari n.d. 3 2006 Pelco sas Foggia n.d. 3 1978 Progeva srl Laterza (TA) Laterza (TA) n.d. 9 2006 Ambiente Italia srl Milano Bari n.d. 4 2002 Gruppo Italgest Melissano (LE) Lecce, Casarano (LE) n.d. n.d. n.d. M.S. Costruzioni srl Lecce n.d. n.d. 2007

1 Unless otherwise stated, data were provided by the firms themselves and refer to 2006. 2 Both companies are part of the Sofinter Group of Gallarate (province of Varese). 3 Data taken from the Aida database for 2006. 4 Data taken from the Aida database for 2005. 5 Data taken from the Aida database for 2003. 6 Data relative to the 4nrg network which also includes its headquarters in Rome. Source: ARTI

33 “Business angels” are private subjects that provide newly-established firms with capital, management expertise or contacts (potential markets for the firm) in order to achieve certain established goals in the medium term.

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An interesting experience is that of the Marseglia Group, one of the most important players on a national level in the agri-energy sector. One of the firms belonging to the group, Casa Olearia, specialises in refining crude oil from olives and seeds, as well as packaging oils for food use. The firm owns two plants, one of which is in Mo- nopoli, dedicated essentially to oils for food use and equipped with two refineries (the other is situated in the province of Verona and is dedicated to the production of biodiesel from soya and sunflower seeds). Residue oil from olive processing is supplied locally, which reduces the disadvantageous effect of transport costs, although this limits collection of raw materials to local olive pressing plants which produce residues with a high water content, a factor that reduces the energy efficiency of the process. The oil produced is transported by land and sea. Ital Green Energy, another company of the group, was one of the first companies in the world to produce electricity from fuel oils on an industrial scale. It currently operates a plant in Monopoli, with two power stations, one fired by solid biomass (85-90% from both virgin and local oil residues and 10-15% from waste wood reco- vered from tree pruning) with a power output of 12 MW (operational since February 2004) and the other fired by liquid biomass with a power output of 24 MW (which became operational in 2005)34. The company Ital Bio Green is responsible for supplying raw material for Ital Green Energy’s power stations, with oil drying and wood grinding plants. Finally, Ital Bi Oil is specifically responsible for producing biodiesel for vehicles and heating, producing over 150,000 tons a year. The firm has entered into agreements with Ansaldo for the use of biodiesel by- products (such as glycerine).

Significant initiatives are also included in the industrial plans of Italgest, which intends to build two combined- cycle power stations fired by sunflower seed oil in Lecce and Casarano (in the province of Lecce) respectively through the switching of large areas of farmland previously given over to tobacco cultivation (see Box 2).

The company Appia Energy operates in Apulia. It is a part of the Marcegaglia Group35, which manages the first power station to produce electricity from fuel obtained from solid waste (CDR), which came onstream in the mid- dle of 2003. The power station processes 94,000 tons of waste per year, has a gross power output of 12 MW and the capacity to produce 75 GWh per year. Also in Apulia, another two power stations fired by fuel from solid waste (CDR) are being built by companies in which the Marcegaglia Group has a majority shareholding: in Man- fredonia (a 14MW power station for an investment of 50 million euros) and in Modugno (10 MW for an investment of 45 million euros)36.

In Apulia there are two companies belonging to the Sofinter Group of Gallarate (province of Varese). Ansaldo Caldaie is a world leader in the manufacture of boilers; the boilers produced by Ansaldo use both traditional (fossil) fuels and biomass and household waste. In Apulia, in addition to its manufacturing operation, it has a “Combustion and Environment” research centre, forming part of the CRIS-Ansaldo consortium which will be dealt with below. Itea has advanced technologies for the safe disposal of toxic waste and the simultaneous production of steam and/or energy with extremely high energy yield. Projects are underway for energy recovery from biomass (essentially residues from olive oil processing) with low environmental impact, and it has joint projects with the Politecnico di Milano, the Università degli Studi di Bari, the University of Bologna, CNR and ENEL.

34 It also operates a 1-MW photovoltaic plant. 35 Marcegaglia is a Mantua-based group operating primarily in the steel industry, although it has operations in other sectors (construction, tourism and services), not least in the energy sector. Within its specific division, Marcegaglia Energy, the group specialises in developing and building projects for generating electricity from energy sources that are renewable and alternatives to fossil fuels; managing the household and special waste chain; energy recovery and efficiency; manufacture of photovoltaic panels; building plants powered by renewable energy sources; research and development in the field of energy conversion. 36 In addition, also in Massafra, a platform for processing household waste is being built through the CO.GE.AM. consortium, for a total investment of 100 million euros.

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Progeva operates in the field of recovery of non-hazardous organic waste through composting, and of by-products of animal origin not intended for human consumption. Its Laterza plant is authorised to process 45,000 tons per year of the biodegradable organic waste fraction. Currently an anaerobic digestion plant is being tested on a pilot basis for transforming the organic fraction of household waste, together with material deriving from livestock rearing and other residues, for energy recovery (biogas production) and recovery of material (compost, to be used as fertiliser). The interaction between the pilot anaerobic digestion plant and the composting plants (an aerobic process) will make it possible to close the waste management chain by reutilising the digested material for the production of fertiliser. The firm has joint projects underway with the Department of Environmental Engineering and Sustainable De- velopment at the Politecnico di Bari, ENEA (Brindisi and Trisaia), Serveco, Rienergia in Montemesola (province of Taranto), and Twe.

There are other interesting projects, too, although they are still at a preliminary stage. Caviro, the farmers’ cooperative belonging to the group of the same name37, besides its manufacturing operations in Apu- lia, plans to start up a project in the wine- and olive-growing sector with recovery of discarded grape and olive residues for the production of heat and electrical energy by means of combustion. The project should involve, through the setting-up of an ad hoc company, wine producers in the provinces of Fog- gia and Bari, as well as a number of local companies specialising in the processing of olive oil residues interested in its recovery38.

Ricciarelli, of the Bari-based Milella Group, is building a number of combined heat and power plants mainly fired by liquid biomass (pure vegetable oils), some of which are located in Apulia. Specifically, it is building plants for the Tandoi Group at its pasta factories in Corigliano (Lecce) and the Centro Logistico Piramide Com- merciale in Molfetta (Bari). Ricciarelli is also going ahead with its short-supply-chain project based on local oil crops, together with a number of research institutes, including the Politecnico di Bari and CNR ISPA. The feasibility study for this project, the scope of which is to fuel the abovementioned plants at least in part, was funded by the Department of Agricultural and Forestry Policies.

Delta Petroli, a firm specialising in integrated energy services, is currently engaged in a project for an agri- energy supply chain which involves green energy production activities in various sectors (agriculture, enterprise, industrial manufacturing, commercial retail, grid-based energy distribution and plant management and maintenance). The project has set itself the objective of cultivating oleaginous crops, in particular jatropha curcas, to be transformed into vegetable oils for combustion, in certain zones which were previously undergoing deforestation in northern Madagascar in order to complement local production in Apulia, thus adding ethical value to the business initiative. With the oils produced in this manner the plan is to build combustion-based combined heat and power plants in Apulia for supplying energy and heating to hospitals. Delta Petroli has recently commenced a similar project in Mozambi- que.

Sistemi Energetici is planning and designing a 15MW plant fuelled by solid biomass (wood chippings, olive and grape residues), to be built on the site of a disused sugar refinery belonging to Eridania (Fog-

37 The Group can boast leadership at a national level in the distillery sector and in the various by-products of wine production, in addition to producing quality table wines. 38 At its headquarters in the Emilia Romagna region the cooperative has already commenced production of heat energy and electricity from renewable energy sources (biomass, waste from vegetable matter and manufacturing processes) through combustion, and through anaerobic digestion processes applied to waste water from manufacturing for the production of biogas. At its headquarters it has also put into operation a composting plant fuelled by waste from internal production, and from mowing and pruning in green public areas, waste from the fruit and vegetable industries and fowl droppings for the production of organic fertilisers and composts and a plant for the production of bioethanol using molecular sieve technology.

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gia). The project, pending the conference of planning permission issuing bodies, is set up in accordance with the logic of a short supply chain and represents an example of how industrial zones in decline can be revived.

Another noteworthy operation is that of PowerFlor, a subsidiary company of Ciccolella Holding (a Euro- pean leader in floriculture) and part owned by Ital Green Energy. The current project envisages the building of a combined heat and power station with two generators providing total power output of around 116 MW (already at an advanced stage of construction)39. The power station will be fired by liquid biomass (vegetable oils) and will be used primarily for greenhouse heating (district heating), as well as for electricity production.

A particularly interesting business initiative is the one embarked upon recently by MS Costruzioni. The firm has developed a project that will exploit the energy potential of waste from the farming and livestock rearing sectors in Apulia in association with SYNECO, a consultancy firm based in Bolzano which has operated in the field of renewable energy and the environment for several years, with particular reference to biogas – it is partner-coordinator of the Centro di Competenza Alpi Biogas (a centre of biogas expertise) – and with the TIS Centre in Bolzano. The primary goal of the project in question, which involves the processing of olive and grape residues and other biomass residues from industrial livestock rearing, is to achieve integration with the Salento region’s developed agricultural sectors, and will enable the related production cycles to be closed. The attention of the project is directed mainly towards the oil-producing sector, since it involves a series of residue flows which until now have been difficult to manage. The project aims to offer a solution that is sustainable from an environmental point of view for the management of olive residues and vegetation waters, so that they can be reused in agriculture (digested), and exploitation for energy through anaerobic digestion for the production of biogas to be used in combined heat and power plants equipped with internal combustion engines40. The plant will be created using the best possible techniques in the field of anaerobic digestion of biomass with high organic content. In addition the project has been proposed to one of the largest associations of olive growers in the province of Lecce (APROL) which has shown its willingness to support the project and to set up a consortium for the purpose of supplying biomass to the plant.

39 It should be noted that with regard to the building of this plant discussions are in progress between the local community, which is not in favour of the installation, and the firm. 40 A technological option which might be tested at a future date is one which would inject biogas, suitably treated beforehand, directly into the natural gas distribution network, if within the Italian system the possibility of providing incentives for production of bio-fuels from renewable sources is understood and recognised.

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6.1 The biomass sector: design and building of plants, research activities and provision of other services

There are several firms that have introduced interesting innovations in the agri-energy field. RASA Realtur is registered on the National Research Register (Anagrafe Nazionale delle Ricerche) and is a member of the Association of External Laboratories accredited as having a high degree of expertise. It operates in collaboration with public research centres (CNR, ENEA, INN, CRA and CIRP – the Regional Inter-University Consortium of Apulia), with Italian universities and with several European Union bodies. With regard to innovations implemented in the energy sector, we would mention: (i) perfection and optimisation of biomass-to-ethanol production processes (“Energetica 1” and “Energetica 2” managed by CNR and ENEA); (ii) conversion into ethanol of surplus alcoholic by-products from wine production (partners: DG6, DG12, the Department of Agriculture, AIMA); (iii) perfection of a poly-fuel boiler fired by agricultural surpluses in Apulia. At the moment studies regarding the exploitation of separated biomass for energy use are underway.

With regard to the Castello di Monteserico Group, innovations concern: (i) the introduction of non-food cultivation with high energy yield and related research into best cultivation and mechanisation practices; (ii) anaerobic digestion processes with greater energy return (up to 10% higher production of biogas in comparison with technologies available on the market); (iii) a system for exploiting agricultural fertiliser obtained from anaerobic digestion; (iv) a low-cost process for treating vegetation waters. The firm is also engaged in matters relating to the exploitation of straw for the combined production of cellulose, decontaminant enzymes and substrate for the production of electrical and heat energy through an anaerobic digestion process and tri-generation; and in the processing of whey to enable it both to be used for energy purposes and to seek a solution to the environmental problems relating to its disposal. It is working together with Metapontum Agrobios (a company specialising in research and experimentation in agrobiotechnologies) and with the Faculty of Agri- cultural Science at the University of Bari. In addition the group is part of a vast network of international partnerships (including research centres in Turkey, Canada and Germany).

4nrg’s activities have produced a patent for a fixed-bed, “tar-free” gasification process for dry and humid virgin wood biomass, with the consequent potential for tri-generation using a removable plant that can be transported on a vehicle. Other innovations concern gasification and combustion (of the fluid-bed type) of plant biomass, including humid biomass, producing industrial steam and heat; wood-gas-fired internal combustion motor design and dual fuel pilot injection; and the integration of multi-energy systems (on which the company is still working)41. It has partnerships in progress with the Faculty of Agri- cultural Science at the Università degli Studi della Basilicata, the Department of Economic, Management and Social Sciences at the University of Molise, and the Industrial Chemistry Section of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sassari.

Pelco conducts research in the field of anaerobic digestion and the use of biogas produced in hybrid combined heat and power plants (solar and renewable fuels), currently in the experimental stage. It has filed a patent application for the extraction of olive oil by crushing for energy-efficient coalescence and absorption.

Recently Socoges set up an internal research and innovation department centred around projects for the development of engines running on alternative fuels (including biogas and biodiesel). In this area it

41 4nrg is setting up an initiative entitled REESCO - Renewable Energy Service Company, i.e. a franchising network for companies producing and distributing sustainable energy from the integration of micro-cogeneration, micro-wind and photovoltaic systems.

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is working on a project for the development of an integrated “gasifier-engine” for exploiting the energy potential of lignocellulose biomass on a small scale using a combined heat and power generation scheme (funded under the innovation and technology programmes/PIT). It is working jointly with the University of Salento.

Keinstar Associates specialises in designing biomass-based plants fired by agricultural waste and straw, wood chippings and/or pellets for combined heat and power plants. It also carries out feasibility and assessment studies regarding agri-energy chains for the combined production of electricity and heating from biomass (from farming and forestry) and industrial research studies regarding the integration of renewable energy sources into the manufacturing cycles of firms in the food industry. Keinstar Associates works together with the Department of Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development at the Politecnico di Bari on the achievement of energy savings in production cycles and the integration of renewable energy sources into the manufacturing cycles of small and medium-sized food firms in the Apu- lia region (projects funded under the POR Apulia 2000-2006 scheme with a duration of 18 months).

There are, in addition, firms engaged in consultancy activities: CoGe Engineering offers preliminary energy analysis and advises on the design and building of energy systems in the sector of distributed multi-generation42; CSD specialises in the development of electrical power stations fired by renewable energy sources and feasibility studies for the creation of gramineous and tropical crops for the production of vegetable oils for power stations or biodiesel production; Occhilupo&Partners provides design and construction projects for plants fired by renewable energy sources (it currently has projects for the reutilisation of biomass and geothermal energy applied to wine-producing factories in Apulia); finally, Ambienteitalia (Bari section) focuses on various aspects connected to the evaluation and development of projects in the energy sector (in particular with regard to energy generation from biomass, high-efficiency combined heating and electrical power generation and the development of software as an aid to improving the energy efficiency of companies).

With regard to research activities, STC has an IUR-accredited laboratory. It offers advanced research and development, technology transfer and engineering services to companies in the chemicals, energy/environment and food industries. The innovative aspect of STC’s activities principally concerns the biomass sector: a purification process for natural gases and biogases containing hydrogen sulphide for energy use; a desiccation process for plant-derived products using heat pumps. STC is currently in charge of the building of a prototype system for the production of energy using a solar thermal system. In addition, it is engaged in a high-efficiency process for the production of biogas from biomass. Its main joint projects are with the University of Sa- lento, the University of Catania, the Politecnico di Bari, CNR in Catania, VeneziaTecnologie (Mestre), Vesta (Venice), and Turboden (Brescia).

42 CoGe Engineering has submitted a project to the “Industria 2015” initiative to extend its range of units for power generation using wood-derived biomass. If successful, it may also embark on a production stage in Apulia. It has joint projects underway with the Energy Biomass and Environmental Technologies Department in Bari, the Fa- culty of Agricultural Science at the University of Foggia and the Politecnico di Bari (the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Management and the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering).

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Box 2 - The Italgest Integrated Energy Pole

The Italgest Group, with registered offices in Melissano, in the province of Lecce, and offices in several regions in Italy as well as Spain and Mexico, is structured into three divisions: Italgest Energia, Italgest Im- mobiliare and Italgest Servizi. Italgest Energia is developing an integrated pole for renewable energy and for energy saving which will be, according to the company’s documents, one of the largest integrated energy poles in the world, requiring a total investment of more than 450 million euros spread over three years (2007-2009) and over 280 MW of installed power. The Pole, whose projects will mostly be concentrated in the Salento region, envisages the integration of solar, wind and agri-energy electrical power plants, as well as actions directed towards energy saving and spreading awareness regarding renewable energy sources. The project has already received the support of the Region of Puglia with regard to the drawing-up and promotion of its guidelines, while the Lecce provincial authority has an active role through the Provincial Energy Agency. The environmental association Legambiente is the initiative’s sponsor. With regard to photovoltaics, the building of an 11MW power station (Helios) is planned, for a total investment of 85 million euros, over a 29 hectare area, formerly the site of Petrolchimico (Brindisi), a highly pol- luted zone which will be reclaimed and transformed. Output is planned to be 16 GWh per year. Another Figure 4 - Location of the industrial projects project planned is the production in loco of photovol- of the Integrated Energy Pole taic panels for the power station, for which agreements have already been made with Siemens. Project data indicate 35 working units to be employed during the first two years from project start-up in order to build the power station and 10 units to be employed when it is fully operational. With regard to agri-energy, two power stations are planned (Heliantos1 and He- liantos2). Both will use a combined cycle, fired by vegetable oils (sunflower), and will have an output of 25 MW each. The two power stations will be located in the industrial zones of Lecce and Casarano (on the former site of the Filanto factories). Also within the scope of this initiative, a supply agreement has been signed with Coldiretti to establish a protocol for the transformation of over 20,000 hectares of land from tobacco to sunflower cultivation. To obtain the sunflower oil it is planned to use the local olive pressing plants which are idle for most of the year. Finally, with regard to wind power, the project envisages the building of 4 plants: two in the Salento region area. One of 45 MW in Torre Santa Susanna (province of Brindisi) and one of 62 MW in Nardò (province of Lecce), where Italgest has taken over planning permission already granted, as well as two in the province of Foggia (Bovino, 64 MW and Panni, 50 MW), for a total of over 220 MW. With ENEL an agreement is being drawn up with regard to activities in support of energy saving. The agreement envisages the installation of photovoltaic systems on public buildings and plans to bring them into line with regulations concerning the energy efficiency of buildings. As secondary actions, the following initiatives are planned: a research centre to be located at the “Rese- arch Citadel” in Brindisi-Mesagne; a communication and training centre (a Mediterranean professional training school for renewable energy sources aimed at public administrations and a technical training centre) in Melissano, in collaboration with the University of Salento; and development – using a new technology – of a web TV and satellite channel entirely dedicated to sustainable development themes, in partnership with Confindustria Salento. In addition to the agreements made with Siemens, there are others, such as with Fata (Finmeccanica Group) and Vestas.

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Chapter 7 - Energy efficiency and sustainable building practices

The term “energy saving” or “energy efficiency” indicates the totality of interventions upon energy systems, plants, facilities, components and materials that are directed towards reducing energy consumption, “energy services” supplied to the end user being equal43.

An area in which it is very important to take action concerns the reclaiming and transformation of existing housing stock, given the rapidly growing demand for such work encouraged, among other things, by recent tax incentives such as those contained in the most recent Finance Laws44.

Reclaiming and transforming the housing stock is an activity characterised by significant complexity and high cost when interventions are on a very large scale. This being the case, it would seem reasonable to posit selective property transformation measures. To strengthen the role of such initiatives as illustra- tive models, it would be helpful to begin with public buildings and complexes, with priorities to be established among buildings such as schools, museums, hospitals, IACP properties, council accommodation and administrative offices, while devoting special attention to specific aspects of certain local contexts (such as, for example, urban areas characterised by high concentrations of airborne pollutants).

In terms of energy generation solutions for buildings, while the advantages of solar thermal or photovoltaic technology seem indisputable, there do not seem to be realistic spaces for wind power. Measures to reclaim and transform buildings above all regard buildings for collective use more than for residential properties, essentially because such a choice offers wider margins for recouping energy efficiency. The consensus opinion is that the building (equipped with solar collectors) should be placed within an energy network based on renewable energy sources and with the capacity to integrate micro-generation, combined heat and electricity generation and district heating (what is known as a “power park”; see Box 3).

Another trend to be exploited is that of closing the life cycle of building debris through processes that en- courage its reutilisation and recovery, with disposal only at the end of its life.

An additional element concerns the need to develop the activities of Energy Service Companies (ESCos) in offering integrated energy consulting services. The situation in Apulia is in fact extremely fragmented. It would be better to distinguish the role of agencies at the project stage, where it is necessary to fund extra development costs, and the replication stage, where ESCos have the role of guaranteeing that the investment is recouped. From this viewpoint, the possibility of setting up public - private ESCos, by providing opportune public guarantees since the ESCo takes on the payback risk (for more details about the activities of ESCos, refer to Box 4). In the sector of eco-compatible building (known as ecobuilding) we should highlight the need to make an effort to coordinate town planning tools on a local level. As the issue is pre-eminently a local one, it may be helpful to define intervention tools that are local in nature: for example planning permission might be given on condition that the best technologies are used. It is often difficult to persuade the

43 Although the concepts of energy saving and energy efficiency both translate into a reduction in consumption in practice, in the latter case one does not give up doing something but strives to do it in the best possible way. 44 The 2007 Finance Law (Law no. 296 of 27 December 2006) introduced significant tax breaks for taxpayers who meet costs for such purposes. The incentives regard, in particular, the cost of reducing energy demands (for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting); heating-related improvements to the building (windows, including frames, insulation and floors); installation of solar panels; and substitution of winter heating systems. The Finance Law for 2008 (Law no. 244 of 24 December 2007) has extended the 55% tax deductions for energy efficiency improvements to buildings introduced by the 2007 Finance Bill to 31 December 2010. The 55% tax deduction also applies to the cost of entirely or partially replacing non-condensation winter heating systems if it is met by 31 December 2009.

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buyer of the economic advantage of a bio-compatible solution given the absence of a track record against which to measure such innovation: to obviate such a shortcoming it would be helpful to provide energy and environmental certification for planned buildings, with reference to energy and water supplies.

Box 3 - Power parks

The term “power park” indicates a framework that integrates property features and equipment with the resources of information technology, energy and bio-compatible building practices. In a power park, or “energy district”, local authorities, public organisations and enterprises interact in order to achieve maximum energy savings through networked distribution of both conventional and renewable energy sources: from distributed micro-generation for producing energy for heating and cooling, to intelligent energy consumption thanks to information technologies, use of materials capable of improving the energy efficiency and saving of buildings, correct dimensioning of interior spaces and the recovery of waste and sewage water. The main aim of the power park is to provide services of high efficiency, made possible thanks to a diversified portfolio of energy sources. Its central element is an information system that optimises energy consumption. Users may be nodal facilities (such as railway stations, airports and logistics centres), residential neighbourhoods or facilities providing services (such as offices, shopping centres, hospitals, schools, large hotels and research centres), with simultaneous electricity and heating energy demands. One strength of the “power park” solution lies in its flexible organisation, adaptable to the characteristics of the local area, to environmental conditions and to user profiles. One of the renewable energy sources that seem most suitable for the purposes of supplying a civil energy district is certainly photovoltaic energy, which is innovative in a number of ways, including architectural integration with existing buildings, reduction of energy consumption of buildings and multifunctionality. Ano- ther energy source of relevance to a civil energy district is solar thermal, especially when combined with heat pumps capable of obtaining “cold” from the sun during summer months (solar cooling) and heat during the winter. Solar cooling stands out as an innovative technology that holds great promise for Puglia. Studies show, in fact, that Puglia, together with Lazio, is the area in Italy that would allow the shortest payback period, thanks to its favourable climate characterised by a high direct solar radiation factor and its balanced summer heating and winter cooling requirements. Generally speaking, power parks offer the advantage of rendering renewable energy sources competitive, in terms of their net internal energy profitability, thanks to the high level of integration achieved within the district between micro-generation, usership (buildings, heating or electricity requirements) and the main natural assets of the area (sun, wind, biomass and temperature). The less developed the power grid, the greater the economic interest in integrated energy districts, as in this case economic and energy resource savings are maximised. One of the critical aspects to point out concerns district planning, which is complicated by the number interested parties and places in which decisions are taken, as well as uncertainty in estimating payback times for the investment. State intervention may be desirable in order to create a mechanism for funding power park research and development in order to showcase the technologies that would be used.

In the field of energy efficiency, Apulia is home to firms that have developed diversified competences in various fields. In particular there are major industrial enterprises, including a number of multinationals, which are engaged in developing high-efficiency products (for example manufacturers of air conditioning systems with high energy efficiency; firms specialising in high-efficiency cogeneration, trigeneration and quadrigeneration; manufacturers of building materials with specific thermal, structural, aesthetic and

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acoustic characteristics; and firms focused on improving the energy efficiency of lighting systems; and producing energy consumption monitoring systems). Fantini Scianatico, a market leader in the production and marketing of wall bricks and structural components for flooring, has introduced several innovative products with regard to energy efficiency, soundproofing, heat insulation and safety.

Box 4 – The activities of the ESCos (Energy Service Companies)

Energy Service Companies or ESCos are subjects organised in the form of a company that carry out interventions to reorganise production and/or management systems, or offer energy consulting services for the purposes of increasing energy efficiency with services to end users remaining equal. Savings obtained in this way are used to pay back the initial investment costs. Typically an ESCo assesses a client’s energy bill and measures the potential for savings and steps necessary to achieve them. If the margin for saving is sufficiently large, the ESCo may finance the works, and take responsibility for maintenance and general management, either directly or contracting out the work in its turn, for the entire duration of the agreement, usually of between five and ten years. This mechanism, also known as “third-party financing”, can be very flexible: the savings obtained and the risks of the investment can be shared variably between the client and the ESCo. The advantages for the client derive from reduced financial commitment, limitation of investment risks and freedom from problems connected to management. Critical aspects on the other hand lie in the complexity of contracts and the consequent need to draw up adequate technical and economic specifications. The terms of the contract must ensure that the intervention carried out is truly efficient and technically valid, and must also take into consideration trends in the market for energy carriers and technologies, and that there is an adequate return for the ESCo or di- stributor. There is, therefore, a minimum economic scale for interventions below which it would make no sense to make use of such mechanisms. In accordance with the Decrees of July 2004 which set out progressive energy saving requirements, the Re- gulatory Authority for Electricity and Gas has drawn up a list which includes subjects that satisfy specific requirements and which have obtained the Authority’s approval with regard to at least one verification and certification requirement for energy savings achieved through projects implemented within the framework of the abovementioned decrees (http://www.autorita.energia.it/cgi-bin/elenco_rep_public?OPERAtion=6). The list includes three accredited ESCos based in Puglia: ESCOnet in Lecce, Ital Green Energy in Monopoli (province of Bari) and Watt Verde in Foggia. In any case, the list should not be considered exhaustive, insofar as it only includes companies with specific requisites. Three ESCos have been identified in the project’s census of the sector: Keinstar Associates; Sangalli Energy ESCo, which belongs to the Sangalli Group and was set up essentially as a company to reduce the energy costs of Manfredonia Vetro, a group company; and ICMEA.

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The table below provides some information in brief about firms operating in the energy efficiency and sustainable building sector in Apulia which were recorded in the project’s census of the sector.

Table 13 - Firms operating in the energy efficiency and sustainable building sector in Apulia

Location Turnover1 Employees Year Firm (in millions in Apulia 1 founded Main headquarters Plants/installations in Apulia of euros) Cofathec Servizi Roma Foggia, Bari, Lecce 348,92 n.d. 1985 Candela (FG), Fantini Scianatico SpA Bari Foggia, Lucera (FG), 190,0 54 2002 Montemesola (TA) Osram Sud SpA Modugno (BA) 44,53 264 1972 Thermocold Costruzioni srl Modugno (BA) 15,6 83 1988 Emitech srl Corato (BA) Molfetta (BA) 0,5 11 2004 dT srl Trani (BA) 0,2 4 2005 Keinstar Associates srl Taranto 0,0 4 2005 Ingegneria e Servizi Cerignola (FG) 0,0 5 2004 Sangalli Energy ESCo srl Monte Sant’Angelo (FG) n.d. 1 2007 ICMEA srl Corato (BA) n.d. 4 2006 Power2PMI Bari n.d. 2 2007 CoGe Engineering srl Bari n.d. 3 2006

1 Unless otherwise stated, data were provided by the firms themselves and refer to 2006. 2 Data taken from the Aida database for 2005. 3 Data taken from the Aida database for 2006.

Source: ARTI

Fantini Scianatico was created from the merger of two previous industrial firms, Ala Fantini and Laterifi- cio Pugliese. The company is a market leader in the manufacture and sale of wall bricks and structural components for floors. It has factories located all across central and southern Italy, as well as abroad (in Spain and Serbia). Over time it has introduced innovative products in terms of energy efficiency, safety, soundproofing and heat insulation, in addition to implementing manufacturing processes that make it possible to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The company has set up an internal laboratory, currently under development, for research and development work on materials, building components and building design and work for the purpose of optimising energy parameters, both during the production stage and under normal conditions of use by the end user. It has recently concluded a project co-funded by the MUR involving the development of products with specific thermal, structural, aesthetic and acoustic characteristics which are now to be put into production on an industrial scale. It also has a new project underway, which was also submitted for consideration to “Industria 2015”, and is directed towards the development of a high-energy-efficiency building designed specifically for the Mediterranean climate, in which the greatest energy expenditure is concentrated in the summer months (cooling) rather than the winter months (heating). The project has been conceived so that it regards not only the development of new materials for the various parts of the building, but also the design of innovative wall systems and the development of ad hoc software. Several scientific partners from Apulia and beyond are involved in this initiative: the Department of Architecture and Town Planning and the Department of Civil and Envi- ronmental Engineering at the Politecnico di Bari, the Department of Structural Engineering at the Uni- versity of Pisa, CNR-IRTEC in Faenza, the Politecnico di Milano and Andil (the National Association of

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Brick Manufacturers), CR Soft in Vicenza and CETMA. It also has a broad network of industrial partners: Costruzioni Solari and the window frame manufacturer Nurith in Ginosa (province of Taranto), the TEC- NOPROVE laboratory in Ostuni (province of Brindisi) and Renergies Italia in Macerata.

Osram, a company of the Siemens Group, is one of the world’s largest producers of lighting systems, with a turnover worldwide of around 4.3 billion euros and 49 manufacturing sites in 19 countries. In Italy Osram is based in Milan and has two sites manufacturing electronic power supply units, LED modules and fluorescent lights in Treviso and in the province of Bari, where 7 diversified production lines are lo- cated45. In addition to specialising in light production, the Bari factory has a research centre, supported by a design centre, whose activities focus on improving the energy efficiency of lighting systems. 8 people are employed at the research centre46.

Thermocold Costruzioni specialises in designing and building air conditioning, refrigeration and climate control units for civil and industrial applications47. Over the years the company has also been dedicated to research and development and has filed a patent application for high-efficiency air conditioning systems: an air conditioning system with total heat recovery and optimised circuit; a four-pipe high-efficiency air conditioning system; and HCS (Hybrid Smart Cooling). Thermocold Costruzioni’s current activities in terms of innovation regard, in particular, the development of high-efficiency cooling units through the implementation of control logics and innovative cycles. Thermocold Costruzioni has joint projects with the Università degli Studi del Salento and with STIM Engineering, an industrial design and consulting firm in Bari.

Mention should also be made of the work of Emitech, a firm specialising in the production of microwave devices in reverberating environments for industrial uses. With regard to the area of efficiency, it is developing an innovative phytosanitary treatment for instruments used for energy-efficient wooden packaging.

7.1 The energy efficiency sector: energy service providers

There are several companies which specialise in supplying energy services.

Cofathec, of the Gaz de France Group, is a European leader in facility management and supply of energy services. It has a presence in Italy through 5 companies, including Cofathec Servizi, which specialises in heat management and facility management for clients with large-scale operations (industrial companies, hospitals and local administration authorities). Cofathec Servizi has three sites in Apulia (in Bari, Foggia and Lecce).

dT operates in the field of energy consumption monitoring. The company is active in the information and communication sector, and has developed a non-invasive system for reading utility meters that uses microcameras with optical character recognition, accurate metering systems for electricity, water, gas and telecommunications, data interpretation and period deviations and/or anomalies, and systems adju- stment via external configuration commands.

45 In Apulia Osram has developed a large number of high-efficiency, high-performance products: such as high-voltage linear and circular lights, mainly for use in industrial and retail environments. 46 In particular Apulia was the site for the development and manufacture of the prototype of a new, high-power, high-efficiency light, requiring a development phase of 4 years. Osram conducts its research in Apulia in close collaboration with other centres in the group (in Germany, the USA and Japan) and, secondarily, with the Politecnico di Bari. 47 The company also has its own branches in Lombardy and Tuscany.

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Ingegneria e Servizi offers its services in the areas of design, feasibility studies, measuring, technical assistance and maintenance, plant management for electrical energy saving and safety in the workplace.

Power2PMI is a division of Power4You and offers services relating to integrated engineering for energy saving. Together with other divisions in the group and in conjunction with a number of industrial partners (small and medium-sized manufacturing firms in the southeast of the Bari region) it is set to embark on research and development relating to electricity consumption monitoring systems. It is in fact developing a monitoring system (hardware and software) in HTML format for communication on mobile devices. Monitoring instruments can be implemented in any energy-consuming manufacturing environment (such as the construction industry) and represent a complementary service for power plants fired primarily by renewable energy sources, providing information in real time to control and optimise the operation of the production plants themselves48. These plants can also be controlled remotely in order to support the preventive and corrective maintenance service provided by the suppliers of the plants. They consti- tute a tool for supporting all energy saving and management actions.

CoGe Engineering is committed to expanding its range of high-efficiency cogeneration, trigeneration and quadrigeneration plants with endothermic engines combined with absorption-based machines, powered by bio-fuels of biological and plant origin.

Box 5 - Hydrogen

Hydrogen is not a renewable energy source, but is instead an energy carrier, like electricity. Hydrogen, as is well known, is the most abundant element in nature, but is rarely found in its elementary state. To obtain it, it is generally extracted from compounds through the use of external energy sources. In any case, processes of extraction from fossil fuels (pyrolysis, massification, reforming and partial oxidisa- tion), using now-mature technologies, can cause pollution. This is why innovative extraction processes with low environmental impact are being sought. One option is that of extracting hydrogen from water. The process currently used, electrolysis, has zero environmental impact, but has the disadvantage of being uneconomic as a result of the high costs of the energy required. In order to bring it about further advances are required in technologies relating to storage, transport and final use, given the properties of hydrogen (inflammability, extreme volatility and tendency to explode). Important research activities into hydrogen are underway in Italy as elsewhere. One to mention is the PSI- CHE project (at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) which envisages placing in the atmosphere a geostationary airship, on which photovoltaic panels would be placed to produce electrical energy. One application of the electrical energy produced would be the process of hydrolysis from which hydrogen and oxygen would be obtained, to be accumulated in a liquid or gaseous state. There is keen interest in the idea, primarily due to the fact that the end use of hydrogen as a fuel in various applications (such as vehicles) releases practically zero pollutants. The three technologies on which experimental research is being conducted are: - thermochemical processes with extraction from fossil fuels or biomass. This is already proven technology, but still presents problems connected to costs and the low percentage of hydrogen thus extracted. MIT has a project called Plasmatron which uses plasma technology for extracting hydrogen from hydrocarbons through reforming; - photobiological technologies, still in the laboratory stage, which study the biological mechanisms of cer-

48 These instruments can cross-reference data from the production plants with consumption data from the production unit where they are installed in order of ma- ximise the efficiency of the whole system.

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tain types of algae and bacteria which, under the action of sunlight, are capable of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen; - photoelectrochemical systems, which are also in the laboratory stage, in which optical energy is conver- ted into chemical energy, not necessarily requiring any energy input from an external source, by means of semiconductor electrodes positioned in photoelectrochemical cells. In this case the greatest difficulties, aside from the considerable costs, are due to the low efficiency and deterioration of the conductors used. One of the devices that make it possible to obtain a high electrical energy return from hydrogen used as a fuel is the fuel cell (or battery). These cells (or batteries) are electrochemical devices which enable electrical energy to be generated directly from some types of reactants, essentially hydrogen and oxygen, without them creating combustion processes. The benefit of such a technology from an environmental viewpoint would be fully achieved only when production comes through the use of renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels. The most well-known application of these types of cell is for hydrogen cars, but they are used also for mobile phones and power stations. To date, more mature technologies with lower production costs (for example lithium batteries or internal combustion engines) have in point of fact dela- yed the adoption of such devices. These technologies, on the other hand, share the problems connected to the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier: low density and high volatility, which then end in problems of transport and storage. Attempts have been made to replace hydrogen with other fuels that have more desirable properties (such as methanol and formic acid). However, in this case the fields of application would be diminished.

In Monopoli, in the province of Bari, in September 2006 H2U, the University of Hydrogen, was founded. It is a not-for-profit association, currently being transformed into a public-private foundation, which was set up to operate in training, education and research in connection with issues relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy and hydrogen. A “Hydrogen Citadel” is being set up on the University of Hydrogen’s to demonstrate hydrogen technologies and innovative technologies connected to the topic of renewable energy.

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Chapter 8 - Universities and research centres

Research in the renewable energy field is carried out at the four Public Universities in Apulia (the Uni- versity of Bari, the Polytechnic of Bari, the University of Foggia and the University of Salento), but also at both private (e.g. ENEL, FIAT, Ansaldo) and public research centres (like the ENEA centre in Brindisi and the Bari office of the Institute of Construction Technologies of the CNR). Certain research projects, as briefly discussed in previous paragraphs, are realised through collaboration between universities, research centres and businesses.

Although it is difficult to make a precise classification, one can identify the research themes that the various university departments and research centres specialize in. As can be seen from table 13, the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bari, as we would expect, is strongly oriented towards agro-energy, as also the Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Chemistry and Plant Protection of the University of Foggia. The researchers at the Polytechnic of Bari and the University of Salento have a more diversified field of research. Research into solar energy is included amongst these interesting fields: a particularly significant project that involves the Energy Environment Research Centre of the University of Salento and the Institute for Micro-electronics and Micro-systems of the CNR, relates to the creation of a laboratory centre specialised in research into innovative technical solutions for the realisation of high- temperature solar installations for the production of electrical energy using direct (from thermo-dynamic cycles) and indirect methods (via thermo-chemical processes for the production of hydrogen-rich fuels). The energy efficiency expertise in the building sector within the Institute of Construction Technologies of the CNR are particularly important. A further two fields where important research opportunities can open up and in which Apulia can claim special skill, (in particular with the Laser Centre), relate to the application of sophisticated environmental monitoring methods to the renewable resources cycle, in particular to biomass combustion and the use of new technology for anemometric measuring with a better quality than the traditional methods, because such technology permits one to gather both intensity as well as wind direction in problematic places, such as in troughs. Finally, the Advanced Biological Skills Centre has recently been established; at the Laboratory for “Fer- mentation, industrial enzymology and application to environmental and energy problems”, research is in progress on the production of bio-fuels and the selection of oleaginous crops.

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Table 14 – Researchers in Universities in Apulia involved in research connected to the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector

1 The asterisks indicate the main research fields. 2 Number obtained from the Board of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bari (2007).

Source: ARTI

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The University of Bari For more than 15 years, the Faculty of Agriculture has been involved in studies on crops for energy purposes (grain crops for biogas, oleaginous crops: brassica carinata, jatropha curcas and other second generation bio-fuels) and on defining suitable cultivation systems for implementation in the typical productive systems of the Apulian territory. In particular, the Department of Planning and Management of the Agro Zootechnical and Forestry systems (PRO.GE.SA.) carries out research on the following subjects: (i) utilization of renewable energy sources for distributed micro-generation, construction systems for the reduction of energy consumption, life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the structures for agriculture; management of the waste produced from zootechnical breeding and from agribusiness; (ii) development of highly innovative plant and machinery, for oil-mills, cel- lars and cooling stations inter alia using eco-compatible technology; (iii) technologies for the exploitation of energy from biomasses: supply chains, conversion plants and territorial analyses. Recently the Depar- tment was involved in an in-depth assessment of the problems associated with bio-energy in Apulia (a research project financed by the Department of Regional Forestry of Apulia) in which the following aspects were analysed: the potential for the agricultural and forestry waste and energy crops which relate to Apu- lia; the costs of the biomasses under consideration, in different supply scenarios; the technical-economic feasibility and the calculation of the environmental benefits arising from the conversion of energy supply chains (small, medium and large scale). In the Department of Plant Production Sciences49 (DSPV) the research topics tied to agri-energies are: (i) agronomic studies and assessment of the physiological, productive and qualitative characteristics of open-field herbaceous and horticultural species for alimentary and non-alimentary uses, for energy production, as well as for biocide and officinal uses; (ii) biology and production of herbaceous and shrubby species of the Medi- terranean flora and C4 tropical grasses for use as eco-compatible forage, no food and soil protection of de- graded mountain areas and orchards; (iii) study of the adaptation and production in the Mediterranean environment of new oleaginous species for diversified uses: food, dietetic and energy; (iv) experimentation on the amending function, in fruit cultivation, of compost derived from the biological purification of urban water effluent; (v) analyses models, planning and management of the wood arboriculture plantations and for the production of biomasses in the Mediterranean environment. In addition, the Department is involved in the experimentation in the “Agro-energy District of Apulia-Basilicata” i.e. the experimentation in oleaginous energy crops on 150 hectares of land, a project promoted by an agricultural cooperative of Gravina di Apulia, the Sil- vium Giovanni XXIII that has more than 750 members located throughout Apulia and Basilicata50. In the Department of Biology and Plant Pathology there are researchers involved in research themes that can be linked back to renewable energy: anatomy, morphology and morphogenesis in algae and vascular plants; cultivation of marine algae for the production of biomasses and environmental purification; taxonomy and eco- physiology of marine macro-algae. Again at the University of Bari, in the Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science, there are inter alia two lines of research with an impact on renewable energy: (i) methodologies for assessing the environmental sustainability of the installations for the production of alternate source energy; (ii) proposals for drafting the Integrated Municipal Energy Plan (PECI).

At the Department of Geographical and Commodity Sciences of the Faculty of Economics of the Univer- sity of Bari research is in progress on the subject of biomasses, in particular bio-fuels, in addition to the studies on the conversion of the factories and the economic convenience of such processes.

49 The Department is one of the promoters of the Regional Technical Table for bio-masses. 50 The project is directed at demonstrative activities of energy crops, on a business scale. In the first phase, after sowing the crops, analyses will be carried out on the agro-industrial, energy-environmental and economic value of the initiative to identify the best techniques to develop the different supply chains (bio-diesel, bioethanol and bio-gas). Thereafter, via a feasibility study, the most suitable organisational model will be assessed to be inserted in a district context, to construct the plant for the production and sale of energy to third parties. The project takes advantage of the support of an important local bank.

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Polytechnic of Bari There are three departments that are involved in energy initiatives and projects. The Department of Electrotechnics and Electronics (DEE) is mainly involved in projects in the field of wind and solar energy and energy efficiency and in the analysis of problems tied to the transmission of electricity in a grid system. As regards wind energy, the main projects are: optimisation of the energy conversion stage of a small- scale wind turbine; analysis of the influence on the electrical system of large-scale wind farms, with reference to the temporary stability and the contribution to the short-circuit current in the grid transmission nodes; study of the optimum configuration of the interconnection system to the national transmission grid and of the internal grid of large off-shore wind sites. As far as solar energy is concerned: algorithms to survey the block functioning of the photovoltaic installation in order to make it safer and more reliable; use of photovoltaic systems to solve problems of power quality (compensation of tension gaps and harmonics); checking the performance of photovoltaic installations inserted in electrical energy distribution grids, with the objective of defining and implementing a control system to adjust the tension in distribution grids where there is distributed generation; realisation of a control system to optimise the electricity production from concentrated solar generators and analysis of the problems of interconnection with the grid. In addition there are projects for the development of systems to optimise the extraction of energy from the renewable source and its conversion to make it useable by the consumers. The investigation is aimed at the development of converters for micro and mini wind farms and inverters for photovoltaic systems; study of energy planning methodologies on a regional scale to optimise the contributions coming from the exploitation of renewable energy resources and the use of energy saving strategies and strategies to improve electrical efficiency; advanced technologies for the management and control of distributed generation systems (smart grids); transport systems based on the use of hydrogen; optimisation of biomass installations. A large part of the research is carried out in the field of projects financed with public funds (strategic plans, explorative projects of the Apulia Region and MUR financing) and by public and private companies, including: AMGAS of Bari, CESI of Milan, the Jonica Impianti of Lizzano, Matrix of Conversano and Rienergia of Monte- mesola. Some DEE researchers are involved in the activities of the Technical Committee on Renewable Energy Systems of the Industrial Electronics Society of the IEEE51. The Department of Mechanical and Management Engineering (DIMeG) carries out research on the subject of fluid-dynamic analyses and fluid-dynamic optimisation; it develops vanes for wind turbines in composite materials; dewatering plants to protect the coast against erosion; machines to gather the data for anemometric campaigns; projects on the optimisation of the oleaginous and sugary supply chains. Included amongst the many projects conducted by the Department, as regards the combustion processes and bio-fuels, there are: development of innovative carbon burners for new electricity generation installations with low CO2 emissions (project co-financed by the Ministry of Productive Activities in conjunction with Ansaldo Caldaie of Gioia del Colle); development of innovative low-nox burners in MILD combustion regime (Moderate and Intensive Low Oxygen Dilution) in steam generators (explorative project financed by the Apulia Region, in conjunction with Ansaldo Caldaie of Gioia del Colle); new methodologies for control, analyses and diagnostics in the combustion processes using traditional and new fuels (biodiesel and crude oil) in energy conversion systems (financing to set up a laboratory with PON 2000-2006 funds and a MUR loan for the COFIN 2005 research programme in conjunction with the University of Naples, Federico II, the University of Genoa, Ansaldo Caldaie and the Elasys research centre); optimization of the biodiesel supply chain in the productive reality and economy of Apulia (within the scope of the PROBIO project of the Regional Board for Agro-industrial Resources, in conjunction with the University of Bari); innovation of the traditional hot-galvanising process using an endothermic en-

51 For further information: http://www.ieee-ies.org/techcomm/.

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gine fuelled with bio-fuels in cogenerative arrangement for the heating of the furnace and the production of electricity (research on the proposal of the Forme Industriali of Modugno and co-financed within the ambit of the Apulia 2000-2006 POR). In addition, in conjunction with the Ansaldo Caldaie Centre for Combustion and the Environment, a post-burner with film-cooling was constructed, for combined plants fueled with hydrogen mixtures. Thanks to two new elements and to the optimisation of the heat-fluid- dynamics it was possible to construct the burner in bent plate and the residence times of the gases at the high temperatures were reduced: together with the reburning phenomenon, this permits one to have significantly lower NOx emissions compared to those measured at the turbo gas outlet. The burner was developed within the ambit of a CLUSTER research programme and of explorative projects of the Apulia Region; the burner was installed in Sicily in an important combined plant and was patented at a Euro- pean Level. In the field of energy efficiency and in the course of a joint project with Thermocold and STIM Enginee- ring, within the ambit of the explorative projects financed by the Apulia Region to develop new devices to improve the chilling machines for civil and industrial users, a project was completed to save diesel oil on fishing boats. In addition, a prototype air cycle refrigeration plant (PRIN 2005) was constructed, for large commercial structures and/or chilling cells, which allows one to eliminate the current coolants. Finally, the Department is active in the wind sector and there are many projects in progress in this field: a laboratory and wind tunnel to study wind energy for experimenting on the scale models of wind turbines, inter alia with a vertical axis (Darrieus) and to study the systems of generating electricity from the tides and from the wave movement (project financed by MUR and Fondazione Caripuglia); new numerical-experimentational methodologies to define wind sites (in conjunction with Vestas, an explorative project of the Apulia Region); analysis of the stress on a wind-turbine vane in composite material; single-vane wind turbine with submer- ged pump: dewatering plant to protect the coast against erosion and for repasturing (in conjunction with OMC of Corato financed with funds in terms of Law 598/94); machines for anemometric campaigns to collect data (pre-feasibility study phase). The Department of Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development (DIASS) of the Faculty of Engineering II of Taranto collaborates closely with the DIMeG of the Polytechnic of Bari. At the moment, there are different projects in progress financed by the Apulia Region in the field of explorative projects: - optimisation of the performance and reduction of the consumption of belt conveyors; - new numerical-experimentational methodologies to define wind sites (in conjunction with Vestas); - development of new burners in MILD combustion regime (in conjunction with Ansaldo Caldaie); - optimization of the anaerobic digestion process of biomasses with bio-gas energy recovery (in conjunction with Progeva); - checking the performance of photovoltaic systems inserted in electrical energy distribution grids (in conjunction with Rienergia); - autonomous & auto-controlled desalination plant fuelled by renewable energy (in conjunction with Comes of Taranto). There are two projects in the field of energy saving financed by the Apulia 2000-2006 POR Axis III, Mea- sure 3.12. The first has as its object energy saving in small and medium-sized agroindustrial businesses in Apulia. The second, once again directed at small to medium-sized businesses in the agroindustrial division, is aimed at integrating and substituting fossil energy sources with renewable energy sources in the productive processes. Both projects are being realised in collaboration with Keinstar Associates. In addition, a joint project is in progress with CSD of Conversano to develop a horizontal rotation wind farm. Finally, DIASS has set up international collaboration with North American Research Institutes relating to integration of the renewable sources into the electricity system and in relation to the development of low environmental impact products.

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University of Foggia In the Department of Agro-Environmental, Chemical & Plant Protection Sciences (DiSACD) of the Faculty of Agriculture the research relates to the field of agricultural production and the agro-energy supply chains with particular emphasis on the subjects of production optimisation and technical rationalisation relative to dedicated energy crops52; technical methods of energy exploitation of the refuse and agricultural and agro-industrial waste; assessment of the agro-environmental effects and the consequences in terms of rural development relative to the realisation of local agro-energy supply chains; definition of the zoning and territorial planning schemes relative to the establishment of agro-energy productive districts; assessment of the life-cycle of solid and liquid bio-fuels; techniques and methods of seizing the carbon in the agro-forestry field. The main projects underway are: (i) energy exploitation of biomasses and spreading of energy crops in the woody and agricultural areas of the Province of Foggia (financed by Confindustria Foggia); (ii) local innovation platform, in particular, elaboration of sector studies on alternate energy to create sustainable agro-energy supply chains from the environmental point of view of and appropriate to the different local contexts; (iii) bio-agronomic assessment of sorghum varieties in order to obtain biomasses for energy; (iv) bio-agronomic assessment of sunflower varieties suitable for the bio-diesel supply chain; (v) investigations relating to energy planning in the North Bari Orfanto Ter- ritorial Alliance area.

University of Salento The research relating to the renewable energy sector is mainly conducted at the Department of Innovation En- gineering (DII). The main innovations related to photovoltaic technology. The first area of research relates to the standardisation of the technical specifications of the photovoltaic panels (there is the option for the user to pre-set the output of the photovoltaic panel on the basis of his geographical location). The second research topic concerns the output of the photovoltaic generators with the use of robotized systems (upto 35-40%). These panels are not equipped with sensors that follow the sun but an electronic control unit containing the coordinates of the geographical position in which it is situated. The prototype that has been constructed can operate for 7 days without contact with the domestic electric grid and could already be made available for distribution on a commercial scale. At the moment the research is shifting towards the optimisation of such devices (study of the effects of solar radiation in the presence of obstacles that reduce the exposure of fixed and robotized panels to sunlight; optimisation of the relationship between robotized movements and electronic management with the use of a potentiometric system). Other projects in progress relate to: new materials and methodologies for products in the renewable energy sector and nano-rectenna for the direct high-efficiency conversion of sunlight into electricity (both projects financed within the sphere of strategic projects of the Apulia Region); development of a calculation methodology for designing a trigeneration system, use of nano-fluids to transmit heat and development of biphase turboexpansors to generate energy from renewable sources (the later financed within the scope of the explorative projects of the Apulia Region). Many partnerships with other businesses have been established on the subject of energy (e.g. Costruzioni Solari, Jonica Impianti, Italgest Ricerca). The Environment Energy Research Centre (CREA) operates within the Department. The numerous research activities concentrate on subjects such as combustion, industrial processes, modelizing of diesel and petrol engines, optimisation of the performance of internal combustion engines, designing injection systems, analysis of the combustion of alternative fuels and reduction of the polluting emissions. The centre has 7 laboratories.

52 Jatropha curcas is one of the crops being studied for the production of bio-diesel. It is hoped to convert the entire fleet of school buses of the Municipality of Foggia on to this bio-fuel - the project was conceived as a visible demonstration.

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Box 6 - The projects that have been realised and that are in the process of being realised by the Energy Environment Research Centre

Recently finalised projects - Optimisation of the powertrain and of the control strategies of hybrid vehicles with a fuel cell Construction of a prototype of a hybrid vehicle with a petrol engine with reduced dimensions fitted with batteries that can be recycled from the electricity grid or via the fuel engine. Currently, more detailed models for the fuel cells are in the development phase and the control strategy on a model vehicle fuelled by hydrogen is being implemented. - Geothermic exchangers The project is aimed at numerically verifying, via a fluid-dynamic code, the real operating conditions of the horizontal geothermic exchangers, installed in the South of Italy, throughout a full year (winter heating-summer cooling). The real operating temperatures and the related thermal flows were analysed in order to assess the environmental impact and the economic advantages of this solution, comparing it to traditional systems with water-air heat pumps (HP). In addition, cost-benefit analyses were carried out in different scenarios to assess the convenience attached to both vertical as well as horizontal heat exchangers. Studies are in progress on the application of ground heat exchangers to be coupled to geothermic heat pumps. - Tpv project The purpose of the work was to construct a thermo-photovoltaic device based on a new high efficiency cell (Multi-Quantum-Well), capable of fuelling a vehicle with an electric propulsion engine, when the energy reserve of the on-board battery is exhausted. - SETE Project The main objectives attained within the ambit of the project were: development of a micro-system with negligible environmental impact to produce electrical energy, based on the combined use of different advanced technologies (solar, wind and thermo-photovoltaic) and the development of an auto- matic management and control system for the energy charges, both of the production as well as of the utilisation systems. The data provided by the control system will be gathered in real time into a database that allows one to check the quantity of energy produced for long-term monitoring. The SETE system can be totally controlled on-line. - Very high-efficiency heat exchangers A regenerative-rotating exchanger of very high efficiency compact heat which is able to operate at very high temperatures (exceeding 1,000 K) has been developed, for regeneration applications for high temperature combustors. The heat recovery performs a strategic role in the combustion plant. The heat exchanger is used to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gases, exploiting this thermal energy to heat the intake air to the combustor, simultaneously reducing the consumption of fuel and facilitating combustion. - META project META is one of the very first numerical methods capable of performing the analysis and computation of the wind potential of the air concerned, by reconstructing the geomorphic characteristics and the anemometric data, as well as considering all the meteorological and micro-meteorological variables for the assessment and definition of the heat flow which – in the atmospheric strata limit – strongly influences the wind farms. Its application allows one to reconstruct the distribution of wind farms in a complex and extend area, permitting the identification of more favourable and potentially more valid sites for the installation of the wind stations. The application of META also permits one to assess the capacity to produce energy at higher altitudes, compared to the detection altitudes of common anemometers. In addition it is possible to determine in an accurate manner the prevailing wind di-

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rection, necessary to determine the positioning of the individual wind turbines and to optimise the layout of the wind farm being designed. A further aspect is that it offers the chance to be able to com- pute the extractable power. In addition with this system one is able to assess and visualise the meteorological conditions and how they change as the altitude increases. It can also be used as a means of visualising and analysing the transportation of contaminants emitted. - Energy auditing activities This activity consists in an analysis of the demand for both electrical as well as thermal energy, in order to forecast rationalisation hypotheses for the consumption of the company or the public body under consideration. The first phase consists in carefully analysing the assets of the company or the body (e.g. Municipality) under consideration. This phase represents a fundamental element to plan extraordinary maintenance both on the buildings as well as on the plant, which will also be directed at energy saving. This phase requires the compilation of a databank that allows one to monitor the energy consumption of the different buildings, identifying the service “criticalities”. Certain indices relating to the energy quality of the building itself are used to identify the energy service criticalities of the building. This allows the following objectives to be obtained: highlight the trend in the energy consumption recorded by every property; estimate the needs of the entire building complex, separated into buildings with similar uses or historically the same age; estimate the needs of each individual building (after a detailed description of such building); identify “criticalities” in the energy services of the building or the building group making up the complex, by calculating energy-services indices (on the thermal or electrical energy); prefigure appropriate guidelines for the development of intervention strategies.

Projects in progress - Cogeneration of heat energy and electricity with biomass fuelling Construction of a plant prototype using an exterior combustion engine (Stirling). Extensions of the- numerical models developed for the study of combustion in traditional engines to engines fuelled with bio-diesel and optimisation of the related combustion chamber. - RECTENNA Project (Explorative project) The system to be studied is composed of a solar concentrator, a system for the conversion of solar radiation into infrared radiation, a matrix of optical-rectennas for the direct conversion of infrared radiation into electric current via an external load. The matrix is constructed from single elements, each consisting of an antenna for the collection of electromagnetic radiation, some impedance matching filters and a rectifying diode made of a multilayer of Metal/Insulator/Metal and or Metal/Oxide/Metal (MIM, MOM). The concept of “rectifying antenna” (or rectenna) represents the true strategic and innovative character of the project which only recently has be re-evaluated for its use in the direct conversion of solar energy due to the significant progress made in nanotechnology. Only with the development of nano-manufacturing processes is it possible to design and construct structures with sizes of the order of nanometres, which are necessary for the tuning of the rectenna to the characte- ristic frequencies of the visible-infrared spectrum. The development of the device could have many consequences and could be revolutionary in other application fields, such as: new optical sensors for gases, light sensors for the Tera Hertz (THz), better harmonic frequency generators, microsystems. - SOLAR Project The project is concerned with the creation of a centre-laboratory specialised in the search for innovative technical solution for the construction of high temperature solar equipment for the direct production of electrical energy (using thermodynamic cycles) and indirectly (via thermo-chemical processes for the production of fuels rich in hydrogen). The developed technologies will be usable both in small plants (less than 1 MW, for diffuse micro generation) and in large scale plants. The main

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criticalities to be dealt with during the course of the project are: the optimisation and specialization of the concentrators and solar receivers; technologies for the improvement of the performance and operative life of the components; innovative heat conducting fluids; optimisation of the ideal output of high temperature thermal solar energy (> 800°C), for direct electric energy production with single and combined thermodynamic cycles and for the production of hydrogen rich fuels using reversible and irreversible thermo-chemical processes; medium (550°C) and high temperature (800°C) accumula- tion systems. Also involved in this project are the University of Catania (Department of Industrial and Me- chanical Engineering), the CNR/IMM of Catania, Ansaldo Ricerche, Turboden, Costruzioni Solari, COG, the Polytechnic of Bari (Department of Electrotechnics and Electronics), SHAP, STC, TCT. The project received about 17 million Euros of public financing as a consequence of Law 297/1999. - Steam compression heat pumps A study of steam compression heat pumps with a low environmental impact. A study of the applications of geothermal heat pumps within a research project financed by Law 297/99 in collaboration with Ther- mocold Costruzioni of Modugno (BA). - Integrated gassifier-engine system for cogeneration (Project PIT) A study of the system using small sized lignocellulose residues for cogeneration. - Utilisation of sea algae for energy production A study of the possible uses of algae for energy. In particular, the characteristics of the bio-oil obtained of the algae will be assessed and its potential use as an alternative fuel for diesel in internal combustion engines. - Use of nano-fluids to transmit heat (Explorative project) The project is concerned with the study of highly innovative heat carrying fluids based on the use of na- noparticles. The behaviour of such fluids is still not properly understood. The first studies conducted have demonstrated that such fluids have very favourable heat transfer performance. If experimentally verified, such characteristics could be used for technological and industrial applications. - Energy saving in public and private buildings The objective is to develop operational procedures, both in the design and in the verification of the energy performance of buildings. The achievement of a significant energy saving starts with the design of the building shell and the equipment (dispersion minimisation), and continues with the use of renewable energy and the correct management and maintenance of the equipment. The design phase is followed by a performance verification phase of a building, so as to guarantee compliance with the parameters prescribed in the recent regulations on the energy certification of buildings. The CREA Centre has recently acquired an infrared thermal camera to evaluate the dispersion and thermal bridges in buildings. The use of a thermal camera for the evaluation of the real state of a building and the successive numeric simulations conducted on a fluid dynamics code have allowed the validation of the numeric model of the building and to pro- ceed with successive numerical optimisations to identify the changes of the shell and equipment. The use of the fluid dynamics code, together with a multi-objective analysis, enables one to identify the correct position of the equipment components (radiators, fan coils, etc.) to guarantee temperature uniformity and humidity within buildings. - Other projects with applications in the wind sector Analyses and assessment of sites earmarked for installation of wind turbines, in order to assess their energy productivity. The analysis foresees an orographic and geomorphic reconstruction of the site, the geo- positioning of the turbine and a productivity analysis of each of them. An aerodynamic optimisation of the profile of the vane of the wind turbines with the aid of CFD calculation codes.

Recently, the Centro di Competenza per le Biologie Avanzate Biosistema53 [The Advanced Biological Skills Centre] was formed, that carries out research and technology transfer with the objective of orga- nising existing expertise of the public and private research entities that operate in the advanced bio-

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logy sector in Apulia, with those of other nodes of the network, ensuring multidisciplinary and compli- mentary scientific-technological expertise and equipment to enable the development of new proces- ses54. In the field of integrated laboratories, relevant to the energy sector there is the laboratory for “Fermentation, industrial enzymology and application to environmental and energy problems”, that provides a core of apparatus, methodologies and know-how to provide solutions to the problem of perfec- ting the validation and transfer, on an industrial scale, of new bio-processes. The main research in progress, in relation to renewable energy at the departments referring to Biosistema Apulia is the production of second generation bio fuels (bio-ethanol) using a biotechnology conversion processes of a lignocellulose biomass. In particular, the Skills Centre has active research lines focusing on (i) the en- zymatic pre-treatment of the raw materials and (ii) the metabolic engineering of micro-organisms that are able to efficiently ferment the sugars contained in cellulose and hemicellulose. Also, in collaboration with ENEA (Renewable Source section of the Trisaia Centre), studies are being performed on a pilot plant to determine the technological-economic feasibility of an industrial-scale energy production based on a short production chain with crop residues and/or dedicated energy crops; selection of oleaginous crops (sunflowers) using biotechnological approaches aiming to improve the composition of vegetable oils to obtain second generation bio-fuels (bio-diesel). The research envisages the use of (i) molecular markers to support breeding and (ii) innovative methodologies such as “Targeting Induced Local Le- sions IN Genomes” (TILLING) that enables the creation of targeted changes using genetic transformation and/or mutagenesis. Currently, 10 structured researchers and 5 trainee researchers operate in this sector.

8.1 Public research entities

In Apulia there are two Institutes of the National Research Council (CNR) that are concerned with renewable energy and energy efficiency: the Institute for Construction Technologies (ITC) and the Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM). The first, with head office in Bari, is engaged in applied research, certification, experimentation and training in the civil construction and tertiary sectors. The main activities of the researcher of the ITC including studying and experimenting with new building structures with a high functional and dimensional flexibility and with a low environmental impact and the role of the construction sector in climatic change (in both cases the projects are financed by MUR). The section of the ITC located in Bari is recognised as a highly-qualified laboratory as defined by Law 46/82. In this context it performs non destructive building diagnostics55. The Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM), located in Lecce, is involved in various renewable energy projects, including: (i) a project financed by the European Union: THE REV - A thermo photovoltaic power generator for hybrid electric vehicles; (ii) the SOLAR project (see box 6) within which IMM is researching new fluids that could substitute the salts used by ENEA-ENEL at a similar plant in Priolo; (iii) the RECTENNA project (see box 6). Other projects, in an embryonic phase, are concerned with light sensors and new unconventional materials for photovoltaic energy.

53 The Skills Centre was approved by MUR with Decree No. 1765/RIC dated 19 November 2007. It is composed of an inter-regional network between the 6 Regions ex Objective 1, whose principal node is in Sardinia-Sassari and the secondary node is in Apulia-Bari. 54 They are part of the public University Skills Centre (Bari and Salento) and Bioagromed of the University of Foggia, the Bari offices of many institutes of the CNR, public-private research institutes and private companies. 55 Soon, the laboratory will be equipped to perform test for air permeability, light transmission and thermal resistance, as envisaged by the current regulations that require an energy certification for window and door frames (UNI 10345/93).

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Table 15 – Researchers and public research centres in Apulia that are involved in research connected to the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector

Researchers Fields of research1 Combustion Department/Centre Prov. of which Agro-energy/ Energy processes/ Wind Solar Other structured Biomass efficiency new fuels/ cogeneration National Research Council (CNR) Institute for Building BA 6 6 * echnologies Institute for Microelectronics LE 6 6 * & Microsystems Total 12 Council for Research & Experimentation in Agriculture (CRA) Institute for Agronomical BA 82 8 * Experimentation New Technologies, Energy & Environment Institute (ENEA)

The Brindisi Research Centre BR 8 8 * * *

Monte Aquilone Experimental Area FG 8 8 *

1 The asterisks indicate the main area of the research activity. 2 Number obtained from the Board of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Bari (2007).

Source: ARTI

ENEA is present in Apulia with a research centre in Brindisi, at the Cittadella della Ricerca, and with an integrated energy consultancy centre in Bari. The centre in Brindisi is mainly specialised in work on materials and research processes, but there is a group active in the energy efficiency sector that is developing new projects (in the context of Area Vasta in Brindisi and Taranto) and works to publicise the information on this theme throughout the territory. The activities will be developed with the involvement of private and institutional entities. The AURE Project “Analysis of the rational use of energy and renewable sources in the province of Brindisi” is currently in progress. Furthermore, the “Cittadella dell’Efficienza” project aims to create (at the Brindisi Centre) a demonstration area for the design and creation of “advanced energy districts” based on an optimal energy mix. The project will be among the principal innovative activities that ENEA has planned for 200856. The University of Salento, the CETMA and the Consorzio della Cittadella are also involved in the project. The project envisages an integrated network characterised by the following innovative elements: innovative eco-building (ground cooling, solar cooling and integrated photovoltaic field, advanced control and contextual energy requalification of other buildings); vegetable oil regeneration network and excess steam heating plant (run using local production); multifunctional photovoltaic plant and experimental concentrator equipment; high-efficiency lighting equipment using innovative components (LEDs) with the flow control connected to intelligent systems. The whole energy district will be optimised on the basis of a dynamic model. To this end, the construction of a control station is envisaged for the supervision of the district with advanced control technology and inline optimisation. The Monte Aquilone Experimental Area is an integral part of the Portici Centre. Here two sections of the Del- phos system (Demonstration Electric Photovoltaic System) are in operation, as well as the demonstration and experimentation station for small-medium sized photovoltaic equipment connected to the grid.

The Experimental Agronomic Institute of the National Council for Agricultural Research and Experimen- tation (CRA), with offices in Bari, is involved in agro-energy research, in particular of the suitability of the

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agricultural use of biomass coming from agro-industrial and bio-activator waste sources. There are eight units working on these themes.

8.2 The public/private research centres

The Laser Center, a research and technological transfer centre, has expertise in the field of sensors and combustion processes, environmental technologies, definition of prototypes and CO2 monitoring systems for combustion control57. As regards the renewable energy sector, the centre has expertise in environmental monitoring of fine dust (based on the so called Raman-Lidar technology, in which there is an interaction between a laser and a chemical element) and the analysis of soil composition (based on the LIBS monitoring system). The centre could also provide a relevant contribution to wind map integration: the Raman-Lidar technology, applied to exploitation of the doppler effect, could provide better quality wind measurements with respect to traditional methods since it would permit the gathering of not only intensity measurements but also the wind direction in troublesome areas, like troughs. The Laser Centre works in conjunction with the Bari Polytechnic on anemometry studies. Tecnopolis, is active in the energy-environment field, and is preparing, within a nationally financed programme, a new Territorial and Environmental Information System for the Apulia Region, i.e. an instrument for territorial knowledge and governance, in such a way as to enable the programming of possible energy chains58. In addition, included amongst the activities for promotion and technical assistance for starting up innovative businesses59, there is the eMergy Cluster, intended to construct clusters of industrial and scientific expertise in the fields of energy conservation and alternative energy.

CETMA, a consortium with a mixed public-private capital, has specific skills in materials engineering, information engineering and industrial design60. It participates with ENEA in the project “Energy efficiency and eco-building” that aims to develop and publicise energy efficiency technologies using a system methodology focused on an integrated energy district model61.

CESE (Public Services and Energy Research Centre) is very new: this is a consortium established with the Bari Polytechnic, AMGAS of Bari and AMET of Trani. The objective of the consortium is to support two companies with professional modernisation and the preparation of studies for the attainment of greater efficiency for energy services, environmental impact analysis, cost/benefit analysis and energy policy impact evaluations. The consortium also aims to promote and manage industrial research activities, perform pre-competitive development and feasibility analysis, to promote and participate in national and international research activities together with public entities and companies.

Finally, the activities of the Environmental Education Laboratories (LEA), is active in Apulia on a provincial basis62. The Environmental Education Laboratories are promotion centres for environmental information and education activities and coordinates the activities of In.F.E.A. (Environmental Information, Training and Education) on a provincial level. The Environmental Education Laboratories, with an on- going link with the Regional Coordination Centre performs mediates with the various institutions and local communities.

56 Waiting to be approved by the Apulia Region. 57 For general information, visit the web site: http://www.centrolaser.it/. 58 For general information, visit the web site: http://www.tno.it/tecno_it/indici_it/index-tecno.htm. 59 In particular the initiative was born within the START UP and SPINTA projects co-financed by the Ministry of Economic Development and presented by Tecnopolois CSATA and the IMPAT consortium (ENEA, University of Ferrara and Tecnopolis CSATA) respectively. 60 For general information visit the web site: http://www.cetma.it/default.aspx. 61 See box 3. 62 The laboratories were instituted by the respective provincial Councils from 1993.

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8.3 ENEL, Ansaldo, FIAT

The research done by ENEL is articulated at a company level in 4 operational units, consisting of a network of research centres, laboratories and experimental stations that are involved in five categories of research: combustion; pollution reduction; diagnostics and automation; new generation systems; waste. The Centre in Brindisi, located near the Federico II Power Station, has about 40 employees including researchers, technical specialists and technical assistants. The Centre has one “excellence Laboratory“ for the physical-chemical and biological characterisation of solid, liquid and gaseous effluents, and environmental matrices, and for the development and technological qualification of waste-based materials (cement, concrete, building products); as well as an experimental structure with pilot plant equipment, normally used for the verification of processes developed in the laboratory63. The Brindisi Centre is also involved in the field of energy generation from renewable sources. In particular, studies are performed for the improvement and optimisation of the operational management of wind generation equipment and the perfection of integrated processes for the transformation of lignocellulose and oleaginous biomasses into electric and thermal energy and bio fuels for transportation. The construction of a system to demonstrate external combustion using a micro-turbine with a boiler burning wood chips (75 kW) and a system to demonstrate internal combustion using bio-oil/biodiesel (90 kW) is foreseen. In the green-house gas reduction sector, the studies are centred above all on the capture of carbon dioxide and oxy-combustion. The researchers in Brindisi are busy with activities aimed at developing processes with amine-based absorbents to separate the CO2 from the combustion smoke of the power station and then to use or store it definitively and safely. Near the Federico II Power station in Brindisi, ENEL is planning the construction of a pilot station for the post-combustion capture of carbon dioxide and a demonstration oxy-combustion plant of 50 MW thermal (about 20 MW electric)64. One of the most innovative research activities is the study of the possibility of using CO2 of microalgae and the production of bio fuels (biodiesel, ethanol, methane, hydrogen) or substances of commercial interest (intermediates, vitamins, dietary integrators, etc.). The construction of a 1 hectare farm is planned in Brindisi for the cultivation of microalgae in panel based photo-reactors together with equipment for the production of bio-diesel starting from the biomass produced. Other frontier research regards the use of CO2 for the gasification of biomass and waste and the subsequent production of hydrocarbons, and the transformation of CO2 into stable minerals. For the evaluation of these processes the construction of experimental laboratory equipment is planned in Brindisi. As regards joint projects, the Centre in Brindisi has agreements with the University of Bari, the Univer- sity of Salento and the Bari Polytechnic for research and training activities in the environment and environmental technologies sector, also providing apprenticeships and postgraduate orientation. The CRIS research centre has its offices at the Ansaldo factory in Gioia del Colle where its activities include the study of clean combustion technologies and the reduction of emissions using experimental equipment65. It is currently busy with research activities on distributed generation with reference to renewable energy. The research is concentrated on high-efficiency energy micro generation using agricultural and forestry biomasses using innovative gasification processes. Hydrogen is also generated from these processes and then used in gas micro turbines.

63 The laboratory participates on a national and international level in an inter-laboratory meeting circuit and with the UNI and CEN standard groups on waste characterisation. 64 The storage method that ENEL has deemed suitable, in line with other European countries, is the injection into well known types of underground tank such as deep salt pits. Identification of national sites suitable for this purpose is in progress with the collaboration with the National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology. 65 CRIS-Ansaldo (Innovative Research Consortium for the South) was conceived with the objective of creating research and experimentation infrastructure in Southern Italy for the development of new products and processes in two of the sectors in which historically Ansaldo concentrated its production and research activities: energy and transport. The consortium has two research centres, one in Naples, for the transport sector, and the other at Gioia del Colle, in the environment and combustion sector.

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A project is in progress in conjunction with ENEA (Trisaia) (financed in terms of Law 297/99) aimed at developing a cleaning and hydrogen enrichment process for the syngas produced from the standardization of biomasses66. The centre will also participate in a high temperature thermal solar project (the Elioslab project financed by MUR) together with ENEA, the University of Naples, Federico II (Department of Energy, Applied Thermo-fluid-dynamics and Environment Conditioning), the Second University of Naples (De- partment of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics) and Angelantoni Industrie. It is involved in another thermal solar project with the University of Salento (see box 6). The consortium is also active in the field of oxy-combustion.

The FIAT Research Centre is an “excellence centre” for the automotive sector and have offices throughout Italy. The centre in Bari, at Valenzano, is involved in the design, development and control of new fuel injection systems, in particular for diesel engines and engines run on alternative fuels. It has performed a comparative assessment between different types of engine: hybrid engines; methane gas engines; low-emission engines (bio-fuels for built-up areas).

66 Syngas (derived from the English words synthetic gas) is a mixture of gases, mainly carbon monoxide. It can be used as a fuel, for electrical energy generation (using a turbine and gas) and diesel cycle engines.

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Appendix 1 – Objectives of the Inter-regional Operational Plan “Renewable energy and energy saving”

Axis I: The production of energy from renewable sources

Specific POI operating Realisation Target Result indicators u . m . 2015 Target u . m . POI objective objectives indicators 2015

Contracts signed pursuant to the Initiatives with supply no. 120 chain & integration no. 40 initiatives activated characteristics (Biomass) (Biomass)

Contribution to achieving the target of 80 % I. Identify & realise Installed power capacity producing energy from (200 % models of integrated/ from biomass Megawatts 200 biomasses fixed by the Megawatt / supply chain intervention in production chain Convergence 240) for renewable Regions at 2015 sources

Total number of persons employed as Production initiatives for technologies & industrial a result of the biomass no. 3600 no. 15 parts for the production interventions and te- of energy chnology applications

Installed power from Thermal 3 I . Promote & Increase the production solar thermal applic. Megawatts I. Promote & support experiment with of heat from thermal the use of the renewable advanced forms of solar/ increase the sources to save energy integrated and supply production of energy % n.d. in public buildings and chain interventions from photovoltaic by public users or for aimed at increasing applications as regards public uses energy produced from the individual building Installed power from Megawatts 10 renewable sources photovoltaic applic

Increase in the energy production from geothermia in the % 35 Megawatt/0 Convergence Area pur- III. Identify & realise suant to the intervention experimental interventions to amplify the Installed power from Megawatts 35 exploitable potential geothermia Program’s contribution of renewable energy to achieving the 10 % sources theoretical target % (30 Mega- potential of new watt/300) geothermia fixed for 2020 at a national level.

IV. Define and realise methods & programs aimed FER penetration on total at increasing the consumption of the % n.d. production of FER in Demonstrative programs no. 30 Minor islands and A.N.P regions identified because of their environmental & natural value

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Axis II: Energy efficiency & optimisation of the system

Specific POI operating Realisation Target Result indicators u . m . 2015 Target u . m . POI objective objectives indicators 2015

New small no. 800 micro-businesses operating in no. 800 the energy services sector I . Identify & realize Number of integrated/supply chain persons employed Intervention models for energy efficiency Innovative projects for the production of technolo- no 800 no 30 gies & parts for energy efficiency

Example programs no. 200 Reduction in II. Experiment & on buildings consumption realize advanced forms (Kilowatt - m2/annum) %. 35 - 40 % of interventions for energy for each building efficiency on buildings Projects on buildings or device and public users of special importance & repre- no. 4 / 8 sentational value

II. Define & realize methods Reduction in &projects for energy consumption efficiency in the region Demonstrational (Kilowatt/m2 % 35 - 40 % no. 30 programs per annum)for each buil- identified for their II. Reduce ding or user environmental the tangible & & natural value intangible obstacles that limit the increase of the energy Increase the population production from 350.000 / Tele-heating reached by teleheating % IV. Boost & adapt Km 60 renewable grid constructed programs in the n.a. infrastructure sources & energy Convergence Areas of the transportation efficiency grid for diffusion of the renewable sources & of the small Increase accessibility to the grid & micro cogeneration Projects to boost and % n.d. n.d. n.d. of the distributed gene- & the tele-heating adapt the transport grid ration

Percentage of businesses object of re- Sensitization % 70% no. 20 lief achieved by training projects activities

V. Improve knowledge, Percentage of the skills & social acceptability Convergence Procedural manuals/ % 100% no. 6/8 Provinces reached as regards renewable models by the projects energy and energy efficiency

Percentage of Convergence Workshops/ seminars % 60% no. 60 Municipalities realised reached by the projects

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Axis III: Technical support and accompanying actions

Department of Environmental v. o. at Operating v.o. at Specific objective Result indicators u. m. Engineering u. m. 2015 objectives 2015 and Sustainable Development (DIASS) In-depth analysis of the Studies of the potential Minimum percentage potential % 80 on Multiregional / no. 1/4/24 of the potential exploitability Regional / Provincial Base receivers informed for energy about the projects purposes of the Program: • public Strengthen the administrators Annual investigations directional and & associations relating to qualitative and % 30 managerial ca- no. 8 • businesses quantitative aspects of pacity of the the program activities Program

III. Improve Projects for operational the efficiency integration of the sche- & quality duled activities of the of the Program POI with the POR activi- no. 4 indicators III Realisation Axis Building a POI website no. 1 ties & the PON Research & Competitiveness Strengthening the strategic capacity & communication Communication actions of the Program aimed atthe public (press, no 3 Strengthening the stra- radio, TV) tegic capacity & com- % 30 munication of the Program Realisation of guides and multimedia no. 20 products

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Appendix 2 - Participation of the Apulian businesses, Universities and Research Centres in regional public tenders aimed at promoting innovation

Businesses Universities & research Technological field Project title Brief description of the project involved centres involved Apulia Region - Strategic Projects

The project intends to show the feasibility of controlling the processes & in verifying Smart-Grids: the advantages in terms - AMET Spa Polytechnic of Bari/ advanced of optimisation, safety, and (Trani) Department Energy efficiency technology managerial & energy efficiency - AMGAS SpA (Bari) of Electrotechnics for public in the most efficient way compared to - 1200 srl and Electronics (DEE) services & energy traditional technology, thanks (Cellamare) to the Automation systems of the Di- stribution and to test them on real distributing companies

- Jonica The project aims to Impianti Società Materials & new develop materials, processes Cooperativa (Liz- methodologies of transforming and designing zano) University of Salento/ Wind/Solar for products new structural parts in composite - Costruzioni Solari Department of Innovation in the renewable materials for small-calibre Srl (Cavallino) Engineering (DII) energy sector wind generators and thermal - Processi Speciali solar panels. Srl Unipersonale (Brindisi)

-Edil.Cos. Srl Lecce (Caprarica Nano-rectenna The project aims to di Lecce) for the direct design & produce a prototype - Shap Saa. Solar University of Salento/ high-efficiency of a device for the high-efficiency Heat and Power Department of Innovation Solar conversion conversion of sunlight into Spa - Roma Engineering (DII) of sunlight electricity with nano-processing - Rizzo Costruzioni into electricity techniques. di Rizzo Giampiero & C. sas (Salice Sa- lentino) Apulia Region - Explorative Projects

The project aims to Polytechnic of develop theoretical models to iden- Bari/Department tify, modelize and optimise the of Mechanical Optimisation energy sources lost in conveyor belt and Management of the performance transport systems. These models - Metalblok srl Engineering (DIMEG) Energy efficiency a reduction in the will enable a global model of the (Taranto) – II Faculty of Taranto/ consumption in energy consumption of a conveyor Department of Environmen- conveyor belts belt to be created. The end objective tal Engineering is to introduce new technology into and Sustainable conveyor belts, aimed at improving Development (DIASS) the performance & energy efficiency.

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Businesses Universities & research Technological field Project title Brief description of the project involved centres involved Apulia Region - Explorative Projects

The project aims at developing a new type of perforated brick block Optimisation Polytechnic of Bari/ to construct load-bearing walls. of the mechanical & - Laterificio Department of Civil Owing to their special characteri- Energy efficiency thermal Pugliese SpA & Environmental stics the use of this type of brick performance (Bari) Engineering (DICA) gives a significant increase in the of rectified bricks thermal insulating power and mechanical properties.

The research project proposes contributing to the analy- Polytechnic of sis of wind site, both in relation to Bari/ Department of Mecha- New the numerical simulation techni- nical and Management Engi- numerical-experi- ques as well as relative to the me- neering (DIMEG) mentational metho- thodologies of experimental survey, - Vestas Italia Wind – II Faculty of Taranto/ De- dologies to generating a computational grid to srl (Taranto) partment of Environmental characterise wind analyse the accurate wind condi- Engineering and Sustaina- sites tions in the site via general use ble Development (DIASS) codes. The research focuses on the use of Lidar (“Light Detection And Ranging”).

The project intends to develop a suitable burner to rea- Polytechnic of lise MILD (Moderate and Intensive Bari/ Department of Mecha- Low oxygen Dilution) combustion, in nical and Management En- Development - Ansaldo steam generators, via partial recy- gineering (DIMEG) Combustion/new fuels/ of a new LOW- NOX Caldaie SpA (Gioia cling of the burnt gases and/or using – II Faculty of Taranto cogeneration processes burner with MILD del Colle) exhaust gas from a gas turbine. This / Department of Environ- combustion system will enable one to achieve mental Engineering and Su- greater energy efficiency and an aba- stainable Development tement of the harmful gas emis- (DIASS sions.

The project intends to Polytechnic of Bari - Optimisation tackle the chemical-physical, bio- II Faculty of Engineering Ta- of the anaerobic di- chemical, microbiological & kinetic ranto/Department Combustion/new fuels/ - Progeva srl gestion process of aspects characterising the different of Environmental cogeneration processes (Laterza) biomasses with bio- phases of anaerobic digestion (DA). Engineering and gas energy recovery The project intends to experiment Sustainable directly on a pilot scale with a DA Development (DIASS) plant in the field.

Development of a calculation metho- The project develops a dology for designing University design methodology for - Amc2 a low-cost & redu- of the Salento/ Combustion/new fuels/ regeneration installations Progetti ced polluting emis- Department cogeneration processes (energy, hot, cold) based e Prototipi Srl (Mo- sions trigeneration of Innovation on low-power moto-alternators nopoli) system with the Engineering (DII) (10-30 electrical kW). possibility of recovery of the energy waste

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Businesses Universities & research Technological field Project title Brief description of the project involved centres involved Apulia Region - Explorative Projects

Development, optimisation and The project, exploiting experimentation of the results of previous experiences, Polytechnic of Combustion/ a post-burner proto- aims at developing a post-burner - Ansaldo Bari/ Department new fuels/ cogeneration type with a wide with higher performance levels and Caldaie SpA (Gioia of Mechanical and processes control range & low which is able to operate even with del Colle) Management emissions, for co- hydrogen mixtures. The proposed Engineering (DIMEG) generative and burner can also be used in combi- combined cycle- ned generation plant. plants

The project aims to assess the capacity of a photovoltaic system interconnected with the di- Polytechnic of Bari- II stribution grid to contribute to the Control of the Faculty of Engineering control of the grid tension. The con- performance of the Taranto/ Department trol that is sought to be - Rienergia srl photovoltaic cells of Environmental Solar implemented should be totally (Montemesola) inserted in an elec- Engineering decentralised. The project also tricity distribution and Sustainable envisages an experimentation grid Development (DIASS) phase on a real 10 kWp system inserted in a micro-grid achieving the practical construction of a supervised prototype.

The project intends to study very avant-garde thermo- vector fluids based on the use of nano-particles, focusing on the - Italgest University of Applications of study & characterisation of different Ricerca srl Salento/ Department Solar nano-fluids for heat typologies of nano-fluids in such a (Melissano) of Innovation transmission way as to gain expertise for the va- Engineering (DII) rious fields of application (energy, heating and cooling plants, solar installations).

The research envisages designing, production & prototype management of an autonomous & Autonomous & auto-controlled desalination plant Polytechnic of Bari - auto-controlled fuelled by renewable energy. For this Department independent and purpose a single effect distillation of Environmental Solar auto-controlled de- Comes srl (TA) plant fuelled with new design solar Engineering and salination plant, panels (solar roof, already available) Sustainable Development fuelled by renewa- & photovoltaic cells for interior elec- (DIASS) ble energy tricity consumption. The object is to integrate the non-potable domestic requirements in summer tourist re- sorts.

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Businesses Universities & research Technological field Project title Brief description of the project involved centres involved Apulia Region - Explorative Projects

The aim of the project s to study with numeric methods the bi- Development phase turbines with existing - Turboden srl of biphase reaction, and the feasibility (Brescia) turbo-expansors University of Salento/ Horizontal research of turbines with a biphase flow - STIM to generate energy Department of Innovation to generate electricity from Engineering srl from renewable Engineering (DII) renewable source, such (Bari) sources as geothermic or solar sources and for cogeneration purposes.

PIT

The project envisages the study, simulation and checking of New devices new exchange components to rea- - Thermocold to improve the - Thermocold lise cooling machines, new fluids to Costruzioni efficiency of the coo- Costruzioni improve heat exchange, of a cooling (Modugno) Energy efficiency ling machines for (Modugno) machine that meet the energy-sa- - STIM Engineering civil and - STIM Engineering srl (Bari) ving requirements of the tourist bu- srl (Bari) industrial users sinesses and of a strategy to raise the energy performance of cooling machines for civil uses.

Integrated The project intends - consorzio Gi- "gasificator-motor" to study, optimise, design and rea- Innovation: SOCO- system for the lise the prototype for a recovery and GES SRL and GISA- Combustion/ energy exploitation transformation system for the MOTOR (Monopoli) University of new fuel/ cogeneration processes of lignocellulose energy contained in agro-forestry - STIM Engineering Salento/CREA biomasses on a and lignocellulosic agro-industrial srl (Bari) small scale waste into electricity and thermal - Trek srl in cogenerative energy. (Milan) arrangement

- Consortium Construction of Sustainable a research centre to The project intends mobility: study, design, con- to develop and test prototypes Convertino srl struct and test vehi- of land vehicles & watercraft (Brindisi); Moroni Combustion/ cles and with low or no environmental Autoservice srl new fuel/ cogeneration processes watercraft impact, also fuelled with hydrogen- (Milan); with a low or eco-compatible Tai srl (Milano) environmental fuel cells. and Zincar srl impact (Milano) - consortium CETMA

Source: ARTI

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Pamphlet 1 February 2007

Strategic SERIE research projects in Apulia 2006-2009 ARTI QUADERNI

Pamphlet 2 June 2007

The Apulian Mechatronics District of MEDIS

84 RENEWABLE ENERGY IN APULIA: STRATEGIES, COMPETENCES, PROJECTS quaderno5B:Layout 1 4-11-2008 12:01 Pagina 85

Pamphlet 3 December 2007

The Aerospace cluster in Apulia

Pamphlet 4 January 2008

Renewable energies and energy efficiency: an overall perspective

85 QUADERNI ARTI SERIE