Comunicati: Press release

Milan, February 11, 2025 – Italgas and the University of Pavia have signed a collaboration agreement focused on enhancing the security and resilience of gas distribution networks, mitigating natural risks, network monitoring, and predictive maintenance.

 

The agreement was signed at the Italgas Digital Factory in Milan by Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of Italgas Reti, and Francesco Svelto, Rector of the University of Pavia.

 

This partnership will focus on the following key areas of research:

• Innovative solutions for gas distribution networks and strategies to mitigate the impact of natural hazards.
• Integrated monitoring and early warning systems for geohazards affecting the environment and urban areas where the network operates.
• Development of physical models and digital twins, including the application of trenchless technologies for upgrading existing pipelines.
• Experimental characterization of infrastructure components, with a particular focus on the seismic sensor integrated into Nimbus, the 4.0 smart gas meter developed by Italgas. The large-scale deployment of Nimbus will enable the collection of detailed seismic event data, currently unavailable at this level of granularity.

The activities under this agreement will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAr) at the University of Pavia, home to one of Italy’s largest structural engineering laboratories (the “Giorgio Macchi” Laboratory), and the EUCENTRE Foundation, a world-leading center for seismic engineering research. The University of Pavia is a founding member of EUCENTRE alongside Italy’s National Department of Civil Protection, the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), and the IUSS Pavia Graduate School.

 

Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of Italgas Reti, commented: “Climate change and increasingly frequent natural events pose growing risks to infrastructure. To address these challenges, we must act proactively by investing in cutting-edge technologies that ensure network resilience and service continuity. Our collaboration with the University of Pavia, a center of excellence, aligns perfectly with this objective. By combining our expertise, we aim to develop innovative solutions that make the network even smarter, more efficient, and flexible—leveraging real-time data from the field and the knowledge of Europe’s leading gas distribution company.”

 

Francesco Svelto, Rector of the University of Pavia, added: “Today, the University of Pavia is establishing a new partnership with an outstanding company in a highly strategic sector. I am particularly proud of this initiative, as it opens new avenues for research and innovation while providing our students with valuable learning and career opportunities. Our university is strongly committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry—whether through structured internship programs like the ‘Laurea Plus’ track or by integrating corporate R&D centers within our campus facilities. This partnership will generate significant benefits not only for students but also for researchers and society as a whole. I am confident that this collaboration with Italgas will be both long-lasting and highly rewarding.”

Milan, January 9^th 2025 – The collaboration between Italgas and Jasmine Paolini, Olympic champion and current World No. 4 in the WTA rankings, has been renewed for 2025.

 

A successful collaboration, launched in June of last year, during which Jasmine achieved the highest-ever ranking for an Italian tennis player in the world rankings, equaling Francesca Schiavone’s record.

 

This is an important year for Jasmine Paolini, who will aim to confirm her outstanding performance from 2024, which saw her reach two Grand Slam finals, win a WTA 1000 title, become the first Olympic gold medalist in Italian tennis history, and triumph in the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly the Fed Cup) with the Italian National team.

 

Italgas enthusiastically chose to continue supporting Jasmine, sharing values such as a constant drive for excellence and self-improvement, resilience in the face of growing external pressures, competitiveness, team spirit, and the ability to approach new and ambitious challenges always with a smile.

 

For Italgas, Paolini is not just an extraordinary athlete but also a brilliant, positive, and talented woman who embodies the healthiest values of sports and competition: a positive role model for younger generations. Being associated with such a beautiful and successful story is a great asset for the Group.

 

Jasmine Paolini Bio

Jasmine Paolini is an Italian tennis player born in 1996 in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Coached by Renzo Furlan, she made her professional debut in 2011. In 2021, she broke into the Top 50 following her first WTA titles in singles in Portoroz (Slovenia) and in doubles in Hamburg (Germany). In 2023, she entered the Top 30 and achieved her first major victories against Top 10 opponents such as Caroline Garcia and Elena Rybakina. The following year marked a turning point in her career, with her rise to World No. 4, winning a WTA 1000 title in Dubai, reaching two Grand Slam finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and qualifying for the WTA Finals in both singles and doubles.

Milan, 27 December 2024 – Bludigit, the digital company of the Italgas Group, is consolidating its international presence through a strategic partnership with Azerigas Production Union, the SOCAR group company responsible for the distribution and supply of natural gas in the Republic of Azerbaijan, serving approximately 2.6 million users.

 

The agreement between the two companies aims to support Azerigas in its digital transformation journey by implementing advanced technologies for gas leak detection and providing strategic digital consulting services.

 

Among the key activities offered by Bludigit is the Gas Leak Detection service using Picarro technology, currently the most advanced system in the field of gas network monitoring. This solution enables precise and timely identification of leaks. By deploying two vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art gas analyzers, which are already operational in Baku, more than 2,400 kilometers of the gas distribution network in the Azerbaijani capital will be monitored. This strategic activity will help reduce fugitive emissions, improve infrastructure safety, and enhance the overall sustainability of the system.

 

Bludigit’s support also extends to conducting an in-depth analysis of the current state of digitalization of Azerigas’s assets and processes. This initiative allows for the development of a digital roadmap that will lead to a more efficient operational model, enhancing both service quality and operational performance.

 

“This collaboration reaffirms Bludigit’s role as an international leader in the digitalization of energy networks” – said Marco Barra Caracciolo, CEO of Bludigit. “Thanks to our state-of-the-art technologies and solid expertise, Azerigas will effectively tackle modernization challenges, detect leaks with exceptional accuracy, and further strengthen the safety of its infrastructure. This is a strategic project that will significantly contribute to Azerigas’s digital transformation and to managing its network in an increasingly sustainable way”.

New York, December 16, 2024 – The CEO of Italgas, Paolo Gallo, was awarded a Special Mention in New York at the 2024 UNCA Awards, a prestigious ceremony organized by the United Nations Correspondents Association. The initiative aims to highlight personalities from the world of communication and business who have stood out for their contributions to global issues such as climate change and international crises.

Paolo Gallo received the Special Mention in the presence of the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed. The award adds to a legacy of notable recipients, which in previous years has included figures such as Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, Ted Turner, Jeffrey Sachs, Nicolas Cage, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Douglas.

During the ceremony, Italgas’ efforts to promote sustainability through the digital transformation of gas distribution networks and the adoption of innovative technologies were highlighted. These initiatives have contributed to reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. Additionally, the effectiveness of Italgas’ model in the energy sector was recognized, acknowledging its significant role in advancing global goals for a transition to a net-zero emissions economy.

“This recognition is a tribute to the collective work of the entire Italgas team, which has placed sustainability at the core of our mission, inspiring and guiding every strategic decision,” said Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas. “Our commitment is to shape a safe, sustainable, and competitive energy transition by progressively integrating natural gas with renewable, zero-carbon solutions such as biomethane and hydrogen, while significantly reducing methane emissions. Our leadership in this area was recently reaffirmed at COP29, where UNEP awarded us the Gold Standard for methane emissions reduction for the fourth consecutive year. Innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility are the pillars on which to build a better future, and we will continue to invest in them with determination and vision.”

Baku, Azerbaijan – November 15^th, 2024 – The role of infrastructure in reducing methane emissions and promoting sustainable gas trade was the central theme at the Italian Pavilion in COP29’s Blue Zone, where distinguished international figures in energy and environmental fields, government representatives, infrastructure operators, and NGOs gathered for an impactful discussion.

The session was inaugurated by Professor Francesco Corvaro, Special Envoy of the Italian Government for Climate, who outlined COP29’s main context and objectives, highlighting Italy’s strategic role in international negotiations. Jonathan Banks, Global Director of Methane at the Clean Air Task Force, focused his speech on the impact of methane emissions and the importance of reducing them through measurable, sector-specific approaches. He called all participants to action and moderated the subsequent discussion.

Throughout the event, experts and representatives from institutions, companies, and NGOs shared valuable insights, experiences, and strategies to curb methane emissions. Among the participants, Masahiro Naka from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, alongside representatives of think tanks and NGOs such as the Atlantic Council and the Environmental Defense Fund, enriched the debate. They were joined by delegates from infrastructure companies, including Tokyo Gas, Azerigas, and Marubeni. Also contributing to the event were the Italian Biogas Consortium, the World Bank, and Andris Piebalgs, Chair of the IMEO Implementation Committee.

“For the first time, Italgas is taking part in COP in a remarkably significant way Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of Italgas RETI stated – We are proud to have brought together a panel of exceptional experts from various nations here in Baku to address the crucial challenge of reducing methane emissions. Gas, which today is fossil-based but will increasingly be green, will continue to play a key role in the transition to a net-zero economy, with infrastructure serving as the enabler for sustainability across the entire energy chain. The success of this event not only reinforces Italgas’s position as Europe’s leading gas distribution operator but also establishes our role as a prominent player on the international energy stage. We extend our thanks to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security for hosting us in the Italian pavilion here in Azerbaijan and for their valuable support in organizing and realizing this event”.

Baku (Azerbaijan), November 15^th, 2024 – For the fourth year in a row, Italgas has received the prestigious Gold Standard recognition in the An Eye on Methane 2024 report from the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), published by the United Nations Environment Programme with support from the European Commission.

The report, presented today at COP29 in Baku, provides an in-depth analysis of methane emissions data supplied by companies participating in OGMP 2.0, evaluating progress in emission reduction efforts.

This recognition highlights Italgas’s consistent commitment to monitoring and reducing methane emissions, demonstrating advanced expertise in emissions measurement achieved through innovative technologies and the digital transformation of assets. The report also emphasizes Italgas’s role in presenting one of the most ambitious implementation plans within the gas distribution sector.

Italgas stands out as the only downstream company featured in the “Stories of Progress in OGMP 2.0” thanks to its extensive emissions measurement campaign, which has enabled the identification of major emission sources and improvement in data accuracy. Furthermore, the company collaborates with a team of researchers to conduct controlled gas release tests at a testing field, aimed at identifying previously undetected emission sources.

The company has also distinguished itself by adopting advanced technological solutions, such as the CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) technology developed by California-based Picarro, which ensures greater speed, sensitivity, and range compared to traditional methods.

Finally, the report acknowledges Italgas’s leadership role within the sector, driven by a proactive approach to emission reduction, not only within the company itself but also by encouraging best practices and offering mentorship to other industry operators.

The An Eye on Methane 2024 report is based on data collected during the fourth year of the OGMP 2.0 program, the framework introduced by UNEP in 2020 for methane emissions reporting and monitoring.