Producing energy with the lowest carbon footprint is the challenge that every energy company is facing today and it’s a challenge that we are taking up at Eni. To meet it, we have chosen to invest in something that we do well: scientific and technological research.
In the 2020–2023 Action Plan we set aside 4 billion euros for research and development on carbon neutrality and the circular economy, 30% more than in the 2019–2022 Strategic Plan. With 80% of investment relating to carbon neutrality and the circular economy. For 2019 alone, our overall economic commitment to scientific research and development was 194 million euros, of which around 102 million euros was dedicated to the decarbonization process and the circular economy. There are currently 1,500 Eni people and 50 pilot plants working on R&D, and ongoing collaborations in the field with 70 universities and research centres. Our commitment to decarbonization and the energy transition also takes the form of partnerships, which we have formed with the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC (CFS), Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) and top universities and research institutions like ENEA, CNR and MIT.
1/1
R&D in carbon neutrality and the circular economy in 2019
Eni for 2019 - Carbon neutrality on the long term
24,4 mlneuros
renewables
Eni for 2019 - Carbon neutrality on the long term
14,3 mlneuros
chemicals from renewables
Eni for 2019 - Carbon neutrality on the long term
14,1 mlneuros
gas valorization
102 mlneurosR&D in carbon neutrality and the circular economy
Science needs relationships because they enrich the research process. This is why we continue to build our collaboration network with the most important national and international scientific bodies.
In March 2018, we signed new agreements with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to enhance the industrial development of magnetic fusion: a safe, sustainable, practically inexhaustible source of energy, which produces no pollutants or long-term waste. In January 2020, moreover, we signed an agreement with the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) to establish a large scientific-technology hub for DTT (Divertor Tokamak Test) fusion, which will be set up in the ENEA Research Centre in Frascati (Rome) by the DTT Scarl company, in which Eni will hold a 25% interest.
To increase access to high impact emerging technologies, we have also adopted an Open Innovation approach through Eni Next and with OGCI-Climate Investments. These collaborations will enable us to continue developing our network with universities, research centres, start-ups, hi-tech companies and bodies that are preparing for a low-carbon energy future. At the same time, we are continuing to invest in venture capital initiatives and the development and deployment of disruptive technologies, with a focus on Circular Economy, Decarbonization and Renewable energy.
Finally, in 2018 we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Research Council (CNR) to carry out a study programme in four areas of high scientific and strategic interest: magnetic fusion, water, agriculture and the Arctic ecosystem. Research activities are carried out in 4 joint research centres in Southern Italy: Gela, Metaponto, Portici and Lecce, with an overall economic commitment of over 20 million euros over five years.
Natural gas remains at the heart of our strategy to support the energy transition. With its low carbon impact, it can be used to replace more polluting sources during the period of time when the energy system is being converted to renewables.
We are developing gas pilot and demonstration plants that make use of the technology we have developed so far. For example, our system that transforms methane into methanol in small plants that can be located off-shore or floating, allowing small quantities of natural gas to be used which would otherwise destined for flaring.
In addition, in 2015, we established the Energy Transition Programme focused on developing low carbon technologies, in particular the methanol chain and the use of CO2. In particular, the programme focuses on the downstream technologies of natural gas production by developing three main lines of research and development:
● conversion and enhancement of hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
● enhancement of natural gas and conversion of methane into liquid to facilitate its transport and use
● management and use of CO2 for the reduction of climate-changing emissions.
Renewable energies
In the field of renewable energy we are developing innovative technologies that can be easily integrated into our Upstream and Downstream activities, in particular new generation solar plant systems.
Some of our important results in this area include concentrated solar power (CSP), organic photovoltaic (OPV) and luminescent solar concentrators (LSC). With the deployment of CSP we will be able to produce steam to power industrial plants, the installation of OPV demonstration modules will allow us to test a new system to supply electricity to additional detector sensors to be placed in areas of industrial plants which previously didn't have any, while with the LCS Eni Ray Plus® technology we can already build smart windows (smart windows) that produce electricity and improve the natural brightness of rooms.
Still in the area of renewables, we are investing in the production of wave energy and we have developed the Inertial Sea Wave Converter (ISWEC) technology together with the Polytechnic of Turin (PoliTO) and spin-off Wave for Energy Srl, demonstrating the potential of our open innovation approach. Simple and advanced, ISWEC is a floating system that transforms the movement of sea waves into electricity, to power offshore plants or small coastal communities. A pilot plant is already active in Ravenna, connected to the PC80 platform and integrated with a unique smart grid hybrid system made up of photovoltaics and an energy storage system. Exceeding all expectations, this first application of the technology has already reached a power peak of over 51 kW. In addition, in collaboration with Ocean Power Technologies (OPT), in the Ravenna offshore we have also begun a pilot application of the PowerBuoy: a buoy which oscillates with the wave motion and drives a turbine connected to an electric generator.
Bio-refinery and carbon dioxide biofixation
Chemistry is the language of the universe and it is up to us to decide how to use it. The phase of mass production with its strong environmental and social impact has finished and today the chemical industry has reinvented itself with processes and products which meet the requirements of sustainability and the circular economy.
We consider this change to be strategic and have redefined our industrial cycles directing them towards products of biological origin. The most significant examples of our commitment in this area are:
● the Waste to Fuel pilot plant at the Gela biorefinery
● the pilot plant for CO2 biofixation in Ragusa
In Gela, Eni Rewind has established an example of Waste to Fuel technology which, through a process of thermal liquefaction, transforms the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) into bio oil, allowing the recovery and availability of 70% of the water contained in the initial biological matter for agriculture. The pilot plant operates in the areas of the biorefinery where biofuel is already produced from raw materials of biological origin with EcofiningTM technology. Looking ahead, we plan to set-up other examples of Waste to Fuel technology on an industrial scale in Italy and abroad. This project is a significant step towards the production of second generation bio-fuels for us, with lower environmental impact, through sustainable processes and technologies related to the reuse of resources.
In Ragusa, we have set-up a pilot plant for CO2biofixation with microalgae. The process uses sunlight, concentrated and sent through optical fibres in cylindrical photobioreactors where microalgae is being grown in water enriched with CO2 separated out from the gas from the wells of the nearby Oil Plant. Subsequently, the algae component is dried and made into flour from which an oil is extracted which can be used to supply biorefineries or as an additive for products with high added value (nutraceuticals). Also here, the process water is recovered and purified. When it is used to feed the biorefinery, biomass from microalgae is classified as an "advanced" filler according to the EU RED II Directive, because it isn't in competition with crops for food purposes in any way.
This website uses cookies to show you adverts and offer you services customised according to the preferences you have shown while browsing online. For further information please refer to our cookie policy.
THIS WEBSITE (AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN) DOES NOT CONTAIN OR CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE SECURITIES OR IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES (INCLUDING ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF ANY U.S. PERSON AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT (A "U.S. PERSON"), AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR OTHERWISE BE UNLAWFUL (THE "OTHER COUNTRIES"). THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO THE CORRESPONDING REGULATIONS IN FORCE IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR THE “OTHER COUNTRIES” AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUCH SECURITIES IS INTENDED TO BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR IN THE “OTHER COUNTRIES.”
In any Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA"), the information contained in this website is only directed at and may only be communicated to persons who are "qualified investors" ("Qualified Investors") within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation").
The information to which this website gives access is directed only at persons (i) who are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is only available to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons, or in the EEA, with Qualified Investors. Any person who is not a relevant person, a Qualified Investor or otherwise permitted under applicable law or regulation to access the information, should not act or rely on the information contained herein.
Confirmation of Understanding and Acceptance of Disclaimer
These materials are for informational purposes only and are not directed to, nor are they intended for, access by persons located or resident in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries. I certify that:
I am not resident of, or located in, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries or I am not a U.S. Person; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the EEA, I am a Qualified Investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the United Kingdom, I am a Qualified Investor and a relevant person.
I have read and understood the disclaimer set out above. I understand that it may affect my rights. I agree to be bound by its terms and I am permitted under applicable law and regulations to proceed to the following parts of this website.
WARNING: the above certification constitutes a "self-certification" pursuant to Decree of the President of the Italian Republic No. 445 of 28 December 2000. False certifications are punishable by law.
