Research Center

In Turin, in the historic area of Corso Regina Margherita, an Innovation Hub will propel the city into the country's energy future.

What is the Research Center and what does it do?

The Research Center is the beating heart of research and innovation in the gas distribution sector. It serves as the center of innovative competence on the distribution of natural gas and the new gases of the ongoing ecological transition. Its mission is to identify and develop new areas of study on strategic topics, actively contributing to the progress and growth of the company.

Our activities

Strategic Collaboration and Scouting

In close synergy with the Innovation and Analytics teams, the Research Center adopts a bottom-up approach to identify new areas of strategic interest. This collaboration fosters targeted scouting, paving the way for innovative solutions and the enhancement of corporate expertise.
Skills and Technical Support

As the guardian of corporate know-how, the Research Center not only preserves it but also promotes its evolution through the development of new projects. Through its laboratories, it provides technical support, training, and specialized expertise for daily operations, both within the company and for affiliated companies.
Safety and Environment

The Research Center is committed to monitoring and promoting initiatives that ensure compliance with health and safety standards for both internal and external personnel. Additionally, environmental sustainability is a core principle that guides every activity, reflecting a strong focus on protecting the territory.

Why a new structure?

We aim to upgrade our Laboratories to project them into the future, making them a symbol of innovation and technological advancement. We seek to strengthen their strategic role, integrating them more deeply within the company and the headquarters.

Furthermore, we want to expand activities dedicated to hydrogen, reinforcing our commitment to the energy transition.

Our objectives

Promote internal research and development, collaborating with universities and startups in areas of strategic interest
Create synergies with other players and technology providers, offering our facilities, including distribution infrastructure, and our expertise
Provide dedicated services to industry players and potential customers

The laboratories

Measurement laboratory

The laboratory carries out some calibration activities under ISO 17025 accreditation whose certificate can be found on “Ente Italiano per l’accreditamento dei Laboratori”, the website of the Italian Body for the Accreditation of Laboratories (www.accredia.it n°00084).

Accredited calibration of meters in AIR
Calibration not accredited of meters in AIR
Metrological checks of of meters in AIR for disputes
Batch release/Valve sealing test
Disturbed flows
Accelerated Aging
Metrology and testing partnership for Nimbus
Application analysis GU uses

The images shown here depict photos of our Measurement laboratory:

Metrologic Inspection and Batch Release Lab (in gas: AtEx facility)
DM93 Lab (WiP)
Accredited Meter calibration, Metrologic Inspections and Batch Release Lab

Instrument laboratory

Instrumentation calibration Measurements and Chemical Laboratories
Field instrumentation calibration
Climatic chamber test for RTU
Service and MaP Gas Detectors
Field test
Aging test in climatic chamber
Gas-detectors

The images displayed here illustrate our Instruments Laboratory:

Pressure instruments calibration
Temperature and Humidity instruments calibration
Gas detectors in-gas-calibration (GPL,CH4, Hw, etc…)

Materials/Testing Laboratory

Cutting of pipes to generate test samples on welds
Transverse tensile tests
Decohesion compression tests
Accelerated ageing-salt fog tests
Pipes leak tests
Document verification and testing assistance activities
Collaboration for innovation and digitisation of networks

The images displayed here present photographs of our Materials/Testing Laboratory, in particular:

Accelerated ageing tests Lab
Workshop Automatic Saw
PE Welding Inspection Lab

Chemical and Rhinoanalytical Laboratory

The laboratory carries out some calibration activities under ISO 17025 accreditation whose certificate can be found on the website of the Italian “Ente Italiano per l’accreditamento dei Laboratori” Body for the Accreditation of Laboratories (www.accredia.it n°00084).

Management and processing of odorization tests in the field
Training and qualification of operators who carry out odorization checks in the field
Instrumental measures odorization for CNG/LPG and Propanated Air Analysisto verify the odorization stability and impurity
Discrimination of sulphur compounds in gas
Quality analysis of GN, GPL, Propanated Air, BioCH4, Biogas, GN/H2 mixtures
Interlaboratory circuits for quantities related to synthetic gases/ GN/GPL
Calibration and service of portable gas chromatographs
Maintenance and Calibration of odorant content indicator tools, used in the field
Comparisons with new analytical systems

Specific Rhinoanalytical activities: