Comunicati: Press release

Brussels, 15 March 2022 – GD4S, the association that brings together the main gas distribution operators in seven European countries, today presented its Sustainability Charter entitled “Decarbonising the gas grid as a key enabler for a climate neutral society”, which defines the collective approach and commitments of the association’s members across the three sustainability pillars of Environmental, Social, and Governance, contributing to the European objective of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Drafted jointly by all GD4S members over the last 18 months, the Sustainability Charter represents the key initial step on a collective journey aimed at positioning gas DSOs among the promoters of a cross-cutting commitment to sustainability and among the key players on the EU energy transition path.

The Association’s members presented 9 long-term commitments:

• Reduce greenhouse gas and methane emissions in their operations and improve energy efficiency
• Contribute to the development and distribution of renewable energy sources in their grids
• Preserve resources and protect biodiversity
• Promote a corporate culture that fosters equal and fair treatment of their workers, and their continuous development in a safe workplace
• Provide quality service and a safe supply of gas that meets the needs of their customers
• Strive to positively impact society in the territories where they operate
• Practise fair and transparent advocacy and prevent corruption
• Disclose performance transparently
• Enhance dialogue with stakeholders

“Presenting the Association’s first Sustainability Charter – commented Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas and former President of GD4S – we formalise our commitment to building a better future for the environment, for our people and for all our stakeholders. A carbon-neutral future that is also characterised by transparency, loyalty and fairness in our relations with the world around us. The definition of specific shared commitments is the first step for further increasing our sustainability performance and effectively supporting the achievement of the net zero target.  We hope that our commitment will foster positive change and inspire other players in the energy sector” 

Building on that, Narcís De Carreras current President of GD4S declared “We are convinced about the fundamental role gas distributors have in achieving the EU’s climate objectives. Enhanced underground distribution networks coupled with renewable gas (biomethane and green hydrogen), represent a key asset for today’s European energy system and a secure and fair migration towards energy decarbonisation. We also want to strengthen collaboration with other associations in the hope that all European stakeholders can take advantage of the full potential of gas networks for the energy transition”.

Brussels, 2 February 2022 – Today, Gas Distributors for Sustainability (GD4S) held its Annual General Assembly in line with the association’s Statute and By-Laws’. During the meeting, outgoing President, Mr. Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas (Italy), oversaw the handover of his responsibilities to his successor, Mr. Narcis De Carreras, CEO of Naturgy’s Gas Distribution operator NEDGIA (Spain).

The Assembly was also attended by Leonidas Bakouras, General Manager of Edathess (Greece), Denis O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Gas Networks Ireland (Ireland), Dan Pantilie, CEO of Distrigaz Sud Retele (Romania), Laurence Poirer-Dietz, CEO of GRDF (France), and Gabriel Sousa, CEO of Galp Gás Natural Distribuição (Portugal).

In his closing remarks, following a two-year term, Mr. Gallo recalled the main achievements of the association, including the reinforcement of its membership, with the addition of the main Greek distribution system operator EdaThess, and the effectiveness of its advocacy activity in Brussels. He also reflected on the increased scope of activity undertaken by the association and its focus on remaining at the forefront of EU energy policy debate on the energy transition, on methane emissions’ reduction, and on sector coupling.

GD4S further developed its strategic vision for the decarbonisation and future role of gas grids, through the adoption of its White Paper released in June 2021. In addition. its members collaborated to definea shared sustainability vision, with the development of a new Sustainability Charter, due to be released in the coming months. Part of the strong commitment to Sustainability is also the Joint Declaration on Methane Emissions reduction, published by GD4S in the first quarter of 2021, aimed at paving the way for other gas DSOs to follow a similar approach.

Under Mr. Gallo’s supervision, GD4S strengthened its ties and cooperation with other gas DSO associations (Eurogas, GEODE, CEDEC), collaborating to call on the European institutions to take the most appropriate policy measures to allow for the full potential of the gas DSO system in enabling the energy transition to be utilised. The cooperation was extended to also cover more specific issues related to the development of the hydrogen market, with the four associations, together with ENTSOG, part, of the Prime Movers Group on Gas Quality. Last but not least, GD4S is really proud to have joined, in the last quarter of 2021, the Ready4H2 project. gathering 92 European operators and aiming at at defining the role of gas DSOs in the development of the hydrogen market.

Narcis De Carreras begins his term in a very challenging period for the European gas sector, which will see the definition of the EU Gas Package, the Methane Emissions’ Regulation the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the finalising of the Fit for 55 package.

During his Presidency, Narcis de Carreras will continue to promote the role of gas DSOs in helping reach EU climate objectives effectively, strengthening the association with the appointment of a Senior Policy Officer, increasing its ability to influence by fostering collaboration between members and with other associations, and enlarging the number of associates.

GD4S remains committed to further strengthening its role as a key player, representing the voice of gas DSOs in the EU energy policy debate and providing a positive contribution for Europe’s energy transition.

Milan, 1 February 2022 – Italgas has been included for the third consecutive year in the Sustainability Yearbook, the S&P Global annual publication that collects experiences, case histories and best practices from world’s top sustainability leaders.

Italgas was included following the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) conducted in 2021. The Company was also awarded a “Gold Class Distinction” for its excellent sustainability performance.

A total of 716 companies, out of the 7,554 assessed, have been selected and included in the Sustainability Yearbook 2022 based on their ESG scores.

The result achieved is a further recognition of Italgas’ commitment to all aspects of sustainability, a pillar of its growth strategy and on which its daily activity is based. The 2022 Sustainability Yearbook is only the latest of the awards received by the Company on ESG topics. Italgas was recently confirmed in the FTSE4Good Index Series, which includes the companies that excel in sustainable economic development.

Milan, 18 January 2022 – Italgas and Buzzi Unicem have signed an agreement for the development of a feasibility study on the implementation of Power to Gas plants in combination with Carbon Capture Systems at Buzzi Unicem’s production plants.

The implementation of these technologies is aimed at promoting the decarbonization of cement and concrete production processes in order to increase environmental sustainability and facilitate the energy transition. In particular, the study will assess the possibility of producing and using, in the most suitable Buzzi Unicem plants, synthetic methane obtained from the combination of green hydrogen produced by the Power to Gas plants with part of the CO₂ released in the production processes.

The agreement leverages on the solid experience gained by Italgas with the development of a Power to Gas project in Sardinia to produce green hydrogen with the aim of testing its uses also in urban contexts, in public transport and in supplying local energy-intensive industries.

“We strongly believe in Power to Gas technology – Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas affirmed – and in its strategic contribution to the energy transition in terms of sector coupling. The production of hydrogen from renewable sources enables the use of gas networks in the dual function of carrier and energy storage asset, ensuring greater flexibility to the system. The agreement represents a great opportunity for us to take a further step forward in the study of innovative solutions and technological best practices. Therefore, we are pleased to share with Buzzi Unicem the know-how we have developed in the design of the Italgas P2G plant that will be built in Sardinia, creating the first technological showcase of the green hydrogen production chain in Italy”.

Luigi Buzzi, Group Technical Director at Buzzi Unicem, confirms that “we are very interested in the opportunity to collaborate with Italgas as an experienced partner to develop a project that is fully integrated into our industrial investment plan aimed at identifying technologies for capturing and reusing the CO₂ released by our plants, in line with the roadmaps defined by industry associations. Our aim is to responsibly contribute to containing climate change by developing CO₂ capture technologies and identifying the best solutions for its reuse. We are currently experimenting with Calcium Looping technology for
capturing the carbon dioxide released by the production process at our plant in Vernasca (PC). Thanks to the EU Horizon 2020 project “CLEANKER” (CLEAN- clinKER), it will be possible to assess the technical and economic sustainability of this technology and estimate the changes to the plant and the investments required to adopt this process in existing cement plants. We are ready to face the ecological transition with great determination and motivated to start the Power to Gas project with Italgas soon, hoping that this new technology can be adopted on a large scale in the future”.

 

Italgas

Italgas is the leading gas distributor in Italy and the third largest in Europe: it manages a distribution network that extends over 73,500 kilometers through which it distributes around 9 billion cubic meters of gas to 7.7 million customers. The Group, including its subsidiaries, holds 1,888 gas concessions, with a historic presence in the country’s main cities including Turin, Venice, Florence and Rome.

www.italgas.it.

Buzzi Unicem

Buzzi Unicem SPA is an international multi-regional group based in Casale Monferrato, Piedmont, focused on the production of cement, concrete and natural aggregates.

The Group operates in 14 countries and employs around 10,000 people. There are 13 plants in Italy and more than 1,500 direct employees. The group has a long-term strategic vision and a dedicated management that operates with a view to sustainable development and quality production facilities. Buzzi pursues value creation through deep and proven know-how and the production efficiency of its plants.

The Buzzi Unicem website is: http://www.buzziunicem.it; www.buzziunicem.com

The key role of distribution system operators (DSOs) and the significant potential of renewable gases for transport discussed

Bruxelles, 09 of December 2021 – Paolo Gallo, President of GD4S and CEO of Italgas, together with a delegation from the association that represents seven of Europe’s leading gas distribution system operators (DSOs) met with Adina Ioana Valean, EU Commissioner for Transport.  Among the topics discussed were the strategic role of DSOs and of renewable gases, such as biomethane, synthetic methane and green hydrogen, for the development of sustainable mobility in Europe.

The meeting, which was also attended by Leonidas Bakouras, General Manager of Edathess (Greece), Denis O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Gas Networks Ireland (Ireland), Narcis de Carreras, CEO of Nedgia (Spain) and Catherine Leboul-Proust, Director of Strategy GRDF (France) was an opportunity to highlight to Commissioner Valean the key elements of GD4S’ White Paper ‘Gas grids – a key enabler of decarbonisation’, with specific focus on the transport sector.  Published in June of this year, the association’s White Paper illustrates the main actions being undertaken by DSOs to support decarbonisation and confirms GD4S’ pledge to reach climate neutrality by 2050.

During the roundtable, GD4S representatives engaged with the Commissioner on the following:

• The role of natural gas and renewable gases as alternative fuels for sustainable mobility.
• The limitations of electric mobility, in particular, for heavy duty and long-haul transport, The association highlighted natural and renewable gases as the most efficient solutions.
• The association’s concern in relation to the the focus on tailpipe emissions rather than life-cycle emissions, within the EC’s ‘Fit for 55’ package, an approach, the representatives indicated, that doesn’t allow for full exploitation of the potential of renewable fuels, such as biomethane.

Paolo Gallo, President of GD4S commented: “Natural gas is recognised as the fuel which will power the energy transition, providing in the short and medium term, the opportunity to progress  from more polluting fuels, thereby significantly accelerating the decarbonisation of the economy. At the same time, digitalised gas infrastructure has a key role in fostering the potential of renewable gases such as biomethane, synthetic methane, and green hydrogen, and in reaching the climate targets set for 2050.  Thanks to their capacity for energy storage and as energy vectors, gas grids guarantee the necessary energy system flexibility. In addition, the strategic role of renewable gases for the development of a clean and sustainable mobility, in particular, in relation to public and long haul transportation, is abundantly clear.”

Milan, 7 December 2021 – Italgas has been recognised by CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) for its efforts in the fight to climate change for the fifth year in a row. This year the Group has been included in the “Leadership band” thanks to the improvement of its score to “A-“ from “B” last year, fin the “Climate change 2021” questionnaire. This score ranks Italgas above the European regional average and the Energy Utilities Networks sector, both ranked “B”.

Italgas is a leader in Italy in the gas distribution sector and third in Europe, it is present in almost 1,900 Italian municipalities with a historical presence in the major cities of Rome, Turin, Venice, Florence and Naples.

CDP is a non-profit organization that evaluates performances on climate change and environmental reporting every year. This year more than 13,000 companies worldwide answered to its questionnaires.

Milan, 4^th November 2021 – Italgas has received the “Gold Standard” recognition in the first edition of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) Report issued by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the support of the European Commission.

 

Italgas was evaluated positively for having set important methane emission reduction targets and defined detailed plans for direct measurements. According to the report, the company’s implementation plan presents substantial targets and credible timelines for their achievement.

 

Italgas’s commitment is twofold: first of all, to reduce its direct emissions, it has implemented specific asset replacement and maintenance programmes to reduce the possibility of future emissions and it has introduced cutting-edge technological solutions, including a new network monitoring system based on Picarro’s CRDS technology (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) which, in comparison with traditional technologies, offers significant advantages in terms of speed of execution, sensitivity of detection and coverage area. Secondly, Italgas joined the OGMP 2.0 initiative from the outset and is constantly working to ensure that other distribution operators also adopt proactive methane emission reduction behaviours.

 

The report, titled “An Eye on Methane”, is based on data collected in the first year of implementation of OGMP 2.0, the new methane emissions reporting framework introduced by UNEP in 2020.