Digitalization for the transition

Gas infrastructure, thanks to its low carbon footprint, its extension and capillarity over the territory and the flexibility it guarantees to the system, play a key role in decarbonisation.

Our digitization efforts are a critical step in:

• Accelerate the distribution of renewable gases
• Our carbon footprint
• Make the network more reliable and able to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The digitalization of gas distribution networks in Italy and Greece is an important focus of our Strategic Plan 2023-2029, in line with the European objectives of decarbonization and development of renewable gases.

We position ourselves as pioneers in the integration of renewable gases into the grid, to reduce CO2 emissions and promote the diversification of energy sources.

• Among renewable gases, biomethane is currently the most viable carbon-neutral option, with technology already mature. Our strategic approach is therefore aimed at the full integration of biomethane into our gas distribution network, with the aim of connecting 400 production plants, built by third parties, by 2029. In 2023, the first connection to the network was completed, that of the plant at the Bonollo distilleries, followed by two other plants, linked to wastewater treatment sludge in Rome. We also started in 2023 a collaboration with the Coldiretti National Confederation, the main Italian organization of agricultural entrepreneurs, to promote the production of biomethane in the country.
• At the same time, we focus on the research and development of solutions that allow us to exploit the potential of hydrogen. One of these solutions is Power to Gas in Sardinia. The initiative represents the first application in the European Union and is aimed at testing the entire green hydrogen value chain.

We launched our centralized command and control system, DANA (“Digital Advanced Network Automation”). Leveraging already implemented asset digitization, DANA enables 24/7 automatic remote network monitoring and control, and is able to record and analyze data (e.g., gas pressure and volume measurements, odorization level, signals, and alarms). The information collected is processed with algorithms to:

• anticipate and anticipate potential network malfunctions
• – Improving operational efficiency
• enable real-time, data-driven decisions.

DANA is now also able to manage biomethane connections to our network.

We are striving to ensure that 90% of the entire Italian plant fleet is digitised and monitored through DANA by 2024, and the network in Greece by 2026.