Milan, 8 March 2021 – Today Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas, and Frank Tudor, Managing Director of leading Australian energy infrastructure company, Jemena, signed a collaboration agreement aimed at sharing knowledge and experiences in distribution network management, with a particular focus on technological innovation and decarbonisation.
Italgas and Jemena are leaders in the distribution of natural gas in Italy and Australia respectively. Italgas manages 73,000 kilometres of gas pipeline infrastructure, while Jemena’s gas distribution network spans 25,000 kms across New South Wales. Together, the companies deliver gas to over 9 million customers across the two countries.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will collaborate and share information on:
- Digital solutions to transform gas networks into carriers and storage systems for renewable gases, such as hydrogen, biomethane and synthetic methane;
- Intelligent metering solutions, with a focus on next-gen smart meters, sensors and appliances;
- Customer experience, asset reliability and safety with particular reference to monitoring systems for the mitigation of fugitive methane emissions.
The partnership will also allow Italgas and Jemena to discuss their respective plans to develop innovative technologies, including Power to Gas technology. Both companies, are currently implementing pilot projects, in the South of Sardinia and Sydney respectively. These projects are testing how renewable gases can store surplus electricity generated from renewable sources, as well as the use of renewable gas in residential, commercial, and transport settings.
Jemena’s Managing Director, Frank Tudor, said today’s announcement is good news for gas customers in both countries.
“We know Australia and Italy face many of the same challenges as we move towards a low-carbon future and believe this partnership will enable us to share insights, learn from one another, and ultimately expedite how quickly we can bring new technology to market. This is a great outcome for customers in both countries who want to be able to access gas - including renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane - both today and in the future,” said Mr Tudor.
"The digitalization program started by Italgas in 2017 – commented Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas - has produced immediate results, transforming the company's DNA and elevating it to the role of a global benchmark. Sharing experiences with international partners is a great opportunity and is necessary to keep growing through comparison and positive collaboration. I am pleased that after European, American and Asian partners, this new collaboration with Jemena allows us to enter a new continent to discover innovative solutions and best practices. First of all the Power to Gas technology that we believe could represent a key asset in the energy transition process.”
