Comunicati: Press release

Italgas and I3P launch “NewGen Construction Site”: a call for startups for innovative sustainability

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The activity aims to identify cutting-edge solutions and technologies to accelerate the transformation of work on construction sites and promote the transition towards a new sustainable way of building.

Turin, March 11, 2024 – Italgas, leading Network Tech Company in the sectors of gas distribution, water, energy efficiency and IT, launched a new call for startups in collaboration with I3P, the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino.

 

The call is aimed at seeking innovative solutions and technologies for the “NewGen Construction Site” and falls within the scope of “Ideas 4 Italgas,” an open innovation program launched by the Italgas Group in 2020 to select the best startups and SMEs to support the digital transformation of networks and the sustainability of the Group’s activities.

More specifically, this call aims to explore existing innovations both domestically and internationally that can contribute to shaping the profile of sustainable construction sites. This initiative aims to accelerate the transition process towards a new way of building energy infrastructure and working safely on construction sites of the future.

The call is open to proposals from startups and SMEs offering innovative solutions and technologies aimed at reducing environmental impact, facilitating early detection of anomalies, and optimizing operational costs associated with construction activities. Italgas has identified five main areas of interest in this regard: gas network design, construction site monitoring and safety, new network construction, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance. Participation in the initiative is free, and applications can be submitted in either Italian or English.

Companies established in Italy or abroad, preferably with teams, resources, and assets dedicated to the project being proposed, as well as working groups composed of two or more individuals who are striving to develop technological innovations stemming from research activities, are eligible to respond to Italgas and I3P’s call. Projects can be at various stages of development: from the conceptual stage to translating an idea into a prototype within the year, from having a prototype already developed and validated or awaiting validation in the market, to having a product/service already commercialized or about to be. Applications are open until May 6, 2024, on the website ideas4italgas.italgas.it, which also contains the full call for proposals. Subsequently, Italgas and I3P will evaluate the received proposals and announce the winning projects during a final event within the month of June.

 

The selected projects will have the opportunity to develop a Proof-of-Concept with Italgas, collaborating directly with the group to field-test their technological proposal and assess the feasibility of the presented use case. Additionally, teams chosen from the call will have free access to both mentorship and Italgas laboratories to explore how to integrate innovative projects into the group’s processes. They will also have access to a six-month incubation program at I3P, providing strategic consultancy and entrepreneurial training to maximize startup growth.

“Open innovation for Italgas – explained Raffaella Marcuccio, Italgas Procurement and Material Management Director – is not only an endless source of innovation and a driver of the future, but also a continuous platform for dialogue that allows the Group to grow and foster growth in the communities where it operates. With this new call, we aim to continue the virtuous path that has allowed us to select over 500 startups, test their respective technologies, and collaborate in the development of new prototypes, which in some cases have contributed to transforming our daily operations in terms of innovation and sustainability. This is precisely what we aim to achieve with this new call dedicated to the development of a new green paradigm for our construction sites”.

“We are proud to continue the Open Innovation activities initiated with the Italgas group in the previous years and to offer all startups, not just those in our network, a new tangible opportunity for collaboration with a world-class corporate entity,” commented Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P. “The Ideas 4 Italgas program and its new call focused on construction sites of the future represent the ideal meeting point between the evolving needs of a significant market sector and the technological inventiveness of young enterprises. The role of the incubator will be to facilitate the meeting between the demand and supply of innovation, generating value for all actors involved in the process”.

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Italgas

Italgas is a Network Tech Company, a leader in the gas, water, energy efficiency, and IT sectors. As the top operator in Italy and Greece for natural gas distribution and third in Europe, Italgas manages a network spanning over 81,000 kilometers, serving approximately 8 million customers. Through its subsidiaries in the water sector, the Group directly and indirectly serves 6.2 million people (equivalent to 10% of the Italian population) concentrated in the regions of Lazio, Sicily, and Campania.

For more information: www.italgas.it

 

I3P – Incubatore del Politecnico di Torino

The Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino (I3P) supports the creation and development of high-tech innovative start-ups with high growth potential, founded both by university researchers and students or by external entrepreneurs, providing strategic consulting services, coaching, mentoring, fundraising support and work spaces. Founded in 1999 in Turin, Italy, I3P is a non-profit, joint-stock consortium company with 6 equal associates: Politecnico di Torino, LINKS Foundation, Finpiemonte, the Chamber of Commerce of Turin, the Metropolitan City of Turin and Fondazione Piemonte Innova. The mission of I3P is to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in order to enhance both the economic growth and the employment in highly innovative industry fields and areas, employing a strategy of collaboration with private subjects and institutions who are engaged in research and advanced training, in services for technology transfer, in the financing of innovation, in internationalisation towards new markets.

For more information: www.i3p.it/en

Italgas Press Office

Mirko Cafaro | +39 331 6092084 | ufficio.stampa@italgas.it

I3P Press Office

Press Play – Communication and Public Relations

Alessandro Tibaldeschi | +39 333 6692430 | ale@agenziapressplay.it

Officially unveiled: “Enaon”, the new identity of Greek companies within the Group

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Athens, February 14th, 2024 – Italgas has officially introduced the new identity of Greek companies, which are now named “Enaon”, the holding company, and “Enaon Eda”, the operating company.

The announcement was made by Italgas CEO Paolo Gallo during the inauguration of the new Athenian headquarters of the companies, in the presence of Italgas Chairperson, Benedetta Navarra, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas, the Italian Ambassador to Greece, Paolo Cuculi. Sia Kossioni, journalist, moderated the event.

The establishment of Enaon and Enaon EDA, which will be responsible for the development and management of services, represents a further step forward in the reorganization process undertaken by Italgas, marked by the merger of the previous three DSOs into one, which occurred in 2023.

“Just over a year ago,” stated Paolo Gallo “we successfully concluded the acquisition of Depa Infrastructure. Today, with the presentation of Enaon, we inaugurate a new chapter in our journey. The launch of the new corporate image comes at a time when we have already successfully achieved significant goals that will enable us to work better and more efficiently. I refer to the migration of the IT system to the Cloud, the unification of the three companies into a single operator, the selection of a new headquarters where people, previously spread across multiple locations, have more space and greater comfort. Italgas confirms itself as the ideal technological and industrial partner to support Greece in the phase-out from coal and lignite towards EU decarbonization goals. Our experience in the digital transformation of networks, an enabling factor for the decarbonization of consumption, has already been made available to our colleagues and will also allow Greek distribution networks to soon accommodate biomethane, green hydrogen, and other renewable gases”.

“Today’s presentation of ENAON and the reorganizational process carried out by the company in recent months are concrete signs of Italgas’ commitment to the Greek market and further contribute to the strengthening of the partnership between our two countries. Italy and Greece indeed boast strong bilateral relations, which continue to grow thanks to the contribution of companies like Italgas that have decided to invest in this market” – stated the Italian Ambassador to Greece, Paolo Cuculi, who emphasized the role of the Italian company in a crucial sector for the development of bilateral relations.

 “The initiatives being taken with a focus on Greece through the Italgas Group -several of which were presented in detail today- are helping us to gain access to technical knowledge that will enable Greek distribution networks to be upgraded in a way that could soon accommodate biomethane and other renewable gases” stated the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr Theodoros Skylakakis.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ENAON AND HABIO

On the occasion of the unveiling of the new brand, Enaon has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HABIO, the Hellenic Biogas Association, which today represents the operators of 48 production plants who have already shown great interest in converting their production into biomethane to be injected into distribution networks.

The agreement, signed by Barbara Morgante, CEO of Enaon, and Alexandros Yfantis, President of HABIO, will last for 2 years and will focus on various topics: from the development of regulatory proposals to the definition of connection parameters to the networks, from the determination of costs for the expansion and connection of plants to the promotion of sustainable biomass collection and the use of digestate as fertilizer.

The collaboration between Enaon and HABIO is strategic to accelerate the development of biomethane, in line with the objectives of the EU and the Greek government. As a renewable gas, biomethane represents an energy source that reduces dependence on foreign supplies and improves energy security. It also contributes to the circular economy and sustainable development of rural areas, generating positive impacts on local communities.

THE MEANING OF ENAON

Enaon takes inspiration from the Greek word “Αέναος” (Aenaos), which translates to “perennial” and “renewable” and, when associated with the energy sector, aims to represent a long-lasting offer capable of meeting current needs and the well-being of future generations. By simplifying its spelling to Enaon, the new brand becomes distinctive, versatile, and with a universal meaning.

Moreover, “Ena” is the Greek word for “one” and recalls the union of the 3 previous DSOs – Eda Thess, Deda, and Eda Attikis – into a single Company; “On” represents the idea of something being active, operational. Enaon, therefore, embodies the commitment to keep energy in constant flow, providing gas continuously and working to equip the country with cutting-edge, smart, and flexible infrastructure.

THE NEW HEADQUARTERS

The Enaon offices in Athens are located at the Politia Business Center:

The new Greek headquarters of the Group offers the opportunity to concentrate in one place many of the people who were previously scattered in various offices and locations across the city, thus enhancing interaction between people, exchanging professionalism and skills, and ensuring greater comfort for workers.

In the new offices, spread over 7 floors, people have access to modern, functional, and flexible spaces for a more effective balance between individual activities and group work. Overall, the architectural project aims to ensure bright, quiet environments away from sources of distraction, as well as areas equipped with tools for remote collaboration.

One of the distinctive features of the new headquarters is the complete overhaul of the ICT infrastructure, aimed at further enhancing cybersecurity. This revision, implemented with significant improvements, has aligned the Greek headquarters with the Group’s rigorous standards and best practices, effectively reducing risks associated with information and communication technologies.

Italgas confirmed in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook

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Milan, 7 February 2024 – Italgas has been included for the fifth consecutive year in the Sustainability Yearbook, the annual publication by S&P Global that groups world’s sustainability leaders.

Italgas confirmed its leadership with the inclusion in the ‘Top 1% S&P Global ESG Score’ category, based on the results of the 2023 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). 759 companies, out of more than 9,400 assessed, were included in the 2024 Sustainability Yearbook  based on their ESG scores in the 2023 CSA.

This achievement is further confirmation of Italgas’ focus on sustainability and proves the importance of the integration of the Sustainability Value Creation Plan with the Strategic Plan on a path that sees a continuously growing commitment of the Group to improving all aspects related to sustainability.

The confirmation in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook follows other important goals achieved by Italgas over the last 12 months, such as the inclusion in the DJSI Europe, in the DJSI World and in the FTSE4Good index series, the confirmation if the inclusion in the CDP Climate Change A-List, of the ESG rating Corporate of A- Prime by ISS and AA rating by MSCI ESG Ratings, and the improvement of the ESG score by Moody’s ESG Solutions.

Italgas confirmed in the A list of Carbon Disclosure Project

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Milano, February 6, 2024 – Italgas was confirmed for the second year in a row by CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) in the “Climate A list” that groups sustainability leaders worldwide based on transparency and performance on climate change.

In 2023 CDP’s scored more than 21,000 companies worldwide investigating the topic of climate change, forests and water security. Nearly 400 of them achieved the ‘A-level’ of which 346 for climate change, 8 in Italy.

CDP assessment considers, though a proprietary questionnaire, the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks and demonstration of best practices associated with environmental leadership, including setting of ambitious targets. In 2023, over 740 financial institutions with over US$136 trillion in assets requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities through CDP’s platform.

Italgas has officially started the management of Atem Belluno: planned investments totalling 135 million euros

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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.

Italgas among the excellences of Dow Jones Sustainability Index Europe and Dow Jones Sustainability Index World: first among Gas Utilities

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Milan, 9 December 2023 – Italgas came first globally among Gas Utilities for the excellent performances achieved in the field of sustainability. This is the result made official by S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 that confirmed the Company’s inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Europe and in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World, for the third and fifth consecutive year respectively.

The two indexes, managed by S&P Global, include companies that excelled globally in their approach to sustainability. More in details, in the latest Assessment Italgas achieved a score of 89 points out of 100 (score date: 24 November 2023), above the other 421 companies in the gas utility sector. 

The result achieved confirms the goodness of the Group’s choice to integrate more and more the Strategic Plan with the Sustainability Value Creation Plan on a path that sees a continuously growing commitment of the Group to improving all aspects related to sustainability, from the flight to climate change, to value creation for the stakeholders and the local communities.

A commitment well represented in the Sustainability Value Creation Plan 2023-2029, “Builders of the future – The journey continues” and in the second TCFD Report “2022-2023 Driving innovation for energy transition” that will be made available to stakeholders on Italgas’ corporate website next 18th of December.

The confirmation of inclusion in the DSJI Europe and World follows similar strong results achieved by Italgas in 2023, such as the inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series, the confirmation of the ESG Corporate Rating of A- Prime rating by ISS and of the AA rating by MSCI ESG Ratings, and the improvement of the ESG score by Moody’s ESG Solutions.

1Companies in the Gas Utilities Industry assessed by S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment so far in 2023

Italgas and Tokyo Gas Network: agreement to develop the future gas distribution network

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Tokyo, December 4th, 2023 – Italgas and Tokyo Gas Network have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo to initiate a collaboration in strategic areas of gas distribution aimed at developing joint projects. Italgas is a leader in the industry in Italy, Greece, and ranks third in Europe; Tokyo Gas Network is a subsidiary of Tokyo Gas, the primary natural gas utility in Japan.

The agreement was signed in Tokyo by Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas, and Kunio Nohata, Director and Chairperson of the Board of Tokyo Gas Network.

Gianluigi Benedetti, the Ambassador of Italy to Japan stated: “The signature of this MoU holds great significance for the further development of the economic cooperation between Italy and Japan in the field of energy, a strategic area for the prosperity of our economies and the future of our societies. The MoU lays the ground for Italgas and Tokyo Gas Network – two major player in their respective energy distribution national markets – to join forces, cooperate and share technologies to bring about new and innovative industrial projects. This new partnership perfectly interprets the spirit and serves the economic and industrial goals of the bilateral “Strategic Partnership” – launched last January by Heads of Government Giorgia Meloni and Fumio Kishida – which were reaffirmed during the 33rd General Assembly of the Italy-Japan Business Group held in Tokyo on November 7”

“TGNW is very honored to sign this MoU – stated Satoru Sawada, CEO of Tokyo Gas Network –. Based on this MoU, we would like to build a cooperative relationship in various fields, including carbon neutral and earthquake disaster management, and work together to develop the gas distribution business of both companies. Toward the goal of achieving both stable energy supply and decarbonization, as stated in the group’s mid-term management plan “Compass Transformation 23-25,” Tokyo Gas Network will work on enhancing the operation and resilience of its supply network.”

“We strongly believe in global engagement and cooperation – stated Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas. – Especially with organizations that, like us, believe that technological innovation is the driving force behind their growth trajectory. In this regard, our collaboration with Tokyo Gas Network is strategic as it will further strengthen our pursuit of new solutions and the scouting of technologies capable of making our service increasingly efficient, resilient, and sustainable, bringing us closer to the goal of achieving net zero.”

With this MoU, the two companies share their expertise and resources to promote resilience, innovation, and sustainable development of gas distribution networks. Specifically, the Memorandum immediately facilitates the exchange of technological knowledge and best practices in the following areas

  • Innovation and digitalization. Italgas will share with Tokyo Gas Network the outcomes, approaches, and innovative digital solutions developed by the Digital Factory to enhance network management, boost operational efficiency, and ensure the sustainability of gas distribution.
  • Seismic resilience. The technology developed by Tokyo Gas Network in a highly seismic region like Japan will also be implemented in certain sections of Italgas’ network to further enhance its resilience and assess its widespread application.
  • Green gases. The companies will exchange their respective experiences gained in experimenting with new solutions to enable networks for the distribution and management of green gases such as biomethane, hydrogen, and synthetic methane.

UN Environment Programme: Italgas confirmed “Gold Standard” for the third consecutive year by the International Methane Emissions Observatory

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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.

Italgas unveils Nimbus, the World’s smartest ‘H2 Ready’ Smart Meter at Enlit in Paris

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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

DEPA Infrastructure (Italgas Group): corporate simplification in Greece completed

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Athens, October 5th, 2023 – Italgas Group announced the successful completion of the corporate simplification process related to its operational presence in Greece.

 

Specifically, the merger by incorporation of EDA Thess and EDA Attikis, both subsidiaries of Depa Infrastructure Group into DEDA (Public Gas Distribution Company S.A.) has been finalized.

 

As a result of this merger, DEDA is responsible for the development and management of the gas distribution service in all regions of Greece where the Depa Infrastructure Group operates. It currently manages approximately 7,700 km of network and serves over half a million customers.

 

Following the merger, the Shareholders’ Assembly of DEDA has renewed the Board of Directors and appointed Alessandro Menna as the President of the company. Subsequently, the Board of Directors has appointed Francesca Zanninotti as the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Francesca Zanninotti, a management engineer, brings extensive expertise in the gas distribution sector. She has previously served as the CEO of DEDA and EDA Thess, as well as the CEO of Medea, the Italgas Group subsidiary overseeing Sardinia methanization, and AcamGas in Liguria.