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In the current panorama of renewable energy, geothermal energy emerges as the most effective solution in the fight against carbon dioxide emissions. A recent study by the University of Pisa, published in the prestigious Journal of Cleaner Production, has highlighted the superiority of geothermal energy compared to other renewable sources, such as hydroelectric and solar, in significantly contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions . Analyzing the impact of 10 terawatt hours of energy produced, the data reveals that geothermal energy can reduce up to 1.17 tons of CO2 per capita, followed by hydroelectric and solar with 0.87 and 0.77 tons respectively.
Although Italy's geothermal potential is among the highest in the world, its exploitation remains marginalized. With an annual electricity requirement of around 317 TWh, Italy produces only 6 TWh from geothermal sources. This limited penetration of geothermal energy into the national energy mix does not reflect the real potential of the Italian subsoil. However, the ecological transition and new incentives for decarbonization are slowly renewing interest in this clean and sustainable energy.
Enel, the Italian energy giant, is placing a strong emphasis on the development of geothermal energy with an investment plan that involves the allocation of 3 billion euros and the construction of new power plants by 2030. These efforts aim to increase capacity installed and to modernize existing systems. The renewal of geothermal concessions for 15 years is crucial to make these projects feasible, thus allowing a broad deployment of resources towards totally renewable and constantly available energy.
Geothermal plays a key role in the energy transition in Europe, with 130 plants already in operation at the end of 2019, and another 160 under development or planning. The growth is led by nations such as Germany, France, Iceland and Hungary, each with a long tradition of using geothermal energy and now at the center of new initiatives to further expand their capacity.
Iceland remains the undisputed leader, thanks to its favorable geographical position, while Germany has recently announced ambitious plans to increase its geothermal production tenfold by 2030. France is also moving in this direction, aiming to save 100 TWh of gas per year through geothermal development, demonstrating how this technology can significantly contribute to energy independence and emissions reduction.
In this context, Italy has everything it takes to play a leading role in the European geothermal scenario, exploiting its natural resources for sustainable energy production with low environmental impact.
Geothermal energy represents not only a solution to the climate crisis but also an economic opportunity for the relaunch of the energy sector in Italy, in line with global decarbonisation objectives.
The growing attention towards geothermal energy marks a turning point in the European energy strategy, positioning it as a crucial component in the project of decarbonisation of energy production. With the right mix of support policies, investments and technological innovation, geothermal energy can effectively become one of the cornerstones of the ecological transition, guaranteeing clean and reliable energy for future generations.
Staff BlogInnovazione.Item: https://www.tariffe-energia.it/news/energia-geotermica/
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