Author: adigiuseppe

The expansion of the networks to 17 new municipalities is planned, adding to the current 34 ones already served by methane, bringing the number of users served to approximately 85,000, almost doubling them.

Belluno, February 1, 2024 – The official start of Italgas management of the natural gas distribution service in the Belluno territorial area begins today.

After winning the tender in 2020 and signing the Service Contract in recent days, Italgas has initiated the management of the service., which concession has a duration of 12 years and involves the implementation of a significant investment program totalling approximately 135 million euros.

“Today marks the conclusion of a long and complex journey – commented Italgas Reti CEO Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco – and the beginning of a new and particularly challenging chapter for our company. With the beginning of Italgas management of the Atem of Belluno, we can unleash our capacity to make investments, ensuring innovation, efficiency, and sustainability for the communities. We are ready to make a difference in a partially new territory for us. The projects we already have in progress will make the network entirely digital, allowing us to accommodate and distribute renewable gases such as biomethane, synthetic methane, and, in the not-too-distant future, hydrogen”.

In the area, at the time of the tender announcement, there were 34 municipalities served by approximately 990 kilometers of networks, totaling 47,000 end-users and a Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) exceeding 43 million euros.

Among the key investments outlined in the Italgas plan, forming the foundation of the successful bid in the Competitive Tender, notable highlights include:

• the increase in the number of users served, from around 47,000 to approximately 85,000 over the 12-year concession period;
• the complete digitization of the network and facilities, including the installation of smart meters for 100% of current and future users;
• the construction of approximately 300 kilometers of new networks and the methanization of additional 17 new municipalities.

The above-mentioned plan will also create a significant boost for the local economy, fostering sustainable growth in the region with positive implications for employment and communities. With Italgas, the area will acquire a cutting-edge infrastructure, ready to accommodate renewable gases.

Milan, December 1, 2023 – Italgas has, for the third consecutive year, achieved the prestigious “Gold Standard” recognition within the report of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the support of the European Commission. The report, presented today in Dubai during COP28, provides a detailed analysis of methane emissions data provided by companies under OGMP2.0, evaluating progress towards reducing these emissions.

The recognition was granted due to Italgas’ continued commitment to monitor and reduce methane emissions, highlighting the considerable expertise gained in their measurement, especially through the adoption of innovative technologies. Moreover, the report emphasized how Italgas has presented one of the most ambitious implementation plans in the distribution sector.

Italgas has demonstrated commitment to reducing methane emissions through the implementation of cutting-edge solutions, such as Picarro’s CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) technology. This technology offers significant advantages in terms of speed, sensitivity, and comprehensiveness of control compared to traditional methodologies.

Furthermore, the report acknowledges Italgas’s leadership role in the sector, promoting proactive behaviors aimed at reducing emissions, not only within its own company but also among other sector operators.

The “An Eye on Methane” report is based on data collected in the third year of implementation of the OGMP 2.0 initiative, the framework introduced by UNEP in 2020 for monitoring and reporting methane emissions.

Paris, November 29, 2023 – Italgas unveiled today in Paris the world’s most cutting-edge ‘H2 ready’ smart meter. This technological gem enables Italgas networks to efficiently accommodate, distribute, and measure various types of gases, including blending among them.

 

The unveiling took place during the 2023 edition of Enlit Europe, an international event focused on global energy agenda themes, currently held in Paris this year. In this international setting, Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of Italgas RETI (the main operating company of the Italgas Group), unveiled Nimbus, the future smart meter developed in-house by Italgas RETI in collaboration with Bludigit, the group’s tech company.

Nimbus – explained Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of Italgas RETI – is the outcome of intensive research, design, and development efforts where we leveraged the significant know-how gained during these years of comprehensive digital transformation of assets and processes. We are aware that we have achieved a new technological leap, allowing us not only to confirm our global benchmark status but above all to contribute to consumption decarbonization targets by enabling a more efficient distribution of renewable gases. Nimbus, an all-Italian project, will be the new offering for the international distribution market, bringing us closer to the net-zero economy and offering a range of innovative functions for integrated service management.”

“The new ‘H2 ready’ meter, featuring a modular and incredibly compact design, will push the boundaries of technology, excelling in performance, safety, and sustainability. Among its key components stand out:

• A gas flow measurement system using static, particularly thermo-mass-based technology, compatible with natural gas and methane-hydrogen blends of over 20%.
• A seismic sensor and an external temperature detection sensor capable of interrupting gas supply in the event of seismic activities and fires, enabling data sharing with authorities responsible for territorial security.
• Specific anti-tampering solutions promptly detecting attempts to manipulate or disconnect the device.
• Communication modules utilizing NB-IoT and LoRaWAN technologies as primary networks, alongside an additional backup channel employing mesh technology. This backup channel enables a meter to transmit data even without a signal by leveraging connectivity with the nearest smart meter. The aim is to maximize field tele-reading and remote management performance.
• An expected lifespan of at least 15 years for all components of the device, including the operational batteries, significantly surpassing the current commercially available smart meters.
• Use of recycled materials.

 

The initial 20,000 units of Nimbus will be installed and operational within the upcoming weeks, with the large-scale installation across Italgas’ 8 million customers set to commence in the second half of 2025.

 

Nimbus signifies an advanced platform for a new meter-to-cash service offering tailored to the gas distribution sector.

 

---

The images and the video of the Nimbus presentation
are available by scanning this QR code