Turbines with over 62% efficiency and a 17% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions: thanks to these performances, turbogas is becoming a reference technology in the ongoing environmental transition, ensuring energy security while supporting the growth of renewable energy. In a conversation between Engineer Giorgio Chizzolini, Director of HSE, AM & Permitting at EP Produzione, and Engineer Stefano Gianatti, Executive Vice President of New Units at Ansaldo Energia, we explore the transformations and innovations driving this change, starting from the new combined cycle turbines installed at the EP Power Plant in Tavazzano and Montanaso.
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“The ongoing transition is a crucial step for the future of our country’s energy sector and requires advanced projects and investments, both in terms of innovation in the production process and the reduction of environmental impact”. Giorgio Chizzolini immediately highlights the significant phase of innovation in Italy’s energy sector, emphasizing the role that EP Produzione is playing in this essential process. This is evidenced by current investments, namely the installation of new high-efficiency combined cycle units at the Tavazzano and Montanaso Power Plant, where, thanks to the H technology gas turbine provided by Ansaldo Energia, efficiency will exceed 62%, significantly reducing the plant’s carbon footprint.
Giorgio Chizzolini, Director HSE, AM & Permitting at EP Produzione
Gas is the fuel EP Produzione, as Italy’s fifth-largest producer, is relying on to contribute to the national energy system. “We currently operate five gas plants across the country, with a net installed capacity of 4,166 MW, which we are increasing through continuous investments in new technologies and process improvements”, explains Giorgio Chizzolini. “Our projects, such as the new CCGT units at Tavazzano, Montanaso, and Ostiglia, represent significant steps towards sustainability and decarbonization. Additionally, we are enhancing the performance of existing units, eliminating coal use, and converting the Fiume Santo site to other technologies, such as renewables and storage, with the possibility of using hydrogen in the future. Through projects like these, we will make our production sites increasingly efficient and environmentally friendly, capitalizing on the benefits of renewable energy without compromising the system’s stability”.
“In this context, the role of gas will change significantly compared to the past”. Stefano Gianatti highlights the flexibility provided by this fuel: “According to Terna data, the Italian system (in 2022) had an installed base of over 123 GW, with renewable capacity reaching 50% of the total: this means that half of the energy required by Italy still comes from fossil combustion, which ensures the necessary responsiveness to maintain a safe and adequate electrical system”.
Alongside gas, Gianatti identifies three other technologies that can support gas as pillars of the transition: “I’m referring to hydroelectric power, storage systems, and nuclear power: technologies that, when used complementarily, are crucial to supporting renewable energy and achieving climate neutrality goals”.
“I’m sure you’ve also been asked, Stefano, how long the energy transition will last. Our challenge, while the most ambitious goals like zero impact will be achieved by 2050, is to move beyond gas by 2035”, estimates Chizzolini.
“Absolutely. But it’s a result that must be achieved step by step, meeting intermediate goals over the next 10-15 years”.
“I agree: the energy transition requires a 360° commitment on many aspects of a power generation company like ours,” Chizzolini explains. “At EP Produzione, we are committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 35% by 2030, eliminating critical environmental substances, and improving the efficiency of our plants. Additionally, demolishing decommissioned plants allows us to reclaim large portions of land to develop low or zero CO2 emission facilities, as we are doing with the Fiume Santo Energy Park, a great example of transforming an industrial site into a sustainable energy hub”.
Stefano Gianatti, Executive Vice President New Units at Ansaldo Energia
In this journey, EP Produzione and Ansaldo Energia have taken the first step together at Tavazzano and Montanaso, where the power plant has recently been equipped with a new combined cycle unit capable of meeting current and, as Chizzolini and Gianatti explained, future needs. “Let me start with some numbers”, Chizzolini continues. “The combined cycle at Tavazzano and Montanaso not only increases electrical conversion efficiency beyond 62% but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions by about 17% in terms of emission factor (g/kWh). Additionally, it represents a Best Available Technique in Europe for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, reducing them below 10 mg/Nm³, compared to the previous 27 mg/Nm³ turbines, with a reduction in mass emissions from about 900 tons/year to 260 tons/year for a maximum operation of 8,760 hours/year”.
“The heart of this plant is an H technology gas turbine, the GT36, a machine that guarantees very low emissions and, thanks to its sequential combustion technology, increases overall plant efficiency and operational flexibility”, echoes Stefano Gianatti. “This is a high-efficiency plant with an electrical capacity of 780 MW, and we are particularly proud of its future-proof nature, making it ready for hydrogen combustion”.
The use of hydrogen in combustion-based production cycles is the goal many industrial sectors are striving toward. “The fact that the new units are already designed for the use of this element is a crucial added value for us”, continues Chizzolini, “making us ready to gradually replace gas as soon as sufficient amounts of green hydrogen and efficient support and storage infrastructure become available”.
“I confirm that technologically, we are already prepared to use hydrogen as an energy carrier”, emphasizes Gianatti. “Our fleet of turbines is hydrogen-ready, and we are working towards achieving 100% hydrogen by 2030. Recent tests have demonstrated our turbines’ capability to burn 100% hydrogen, a critical achievement for a sustainable energy future”.
“From our perspective, we also believe that 2030 is a good estimate for the definitive introduction of hydrogen”, Chizzolini continues. “In any case, we want to be ready for the challenge of hydrogen production, and we are developing a pilot project for green hydrogen with a 1 MW electrolyzer as part of the Fiume Santo Energy Park project”.
“One last point I would like to address is the regulatory framework”, adds Gianatti. “The energy transition requires a coordinated approach and significant infrastructure investments. With a supportive regulatory framework, we can achieve widespread use of hydrogen and other green energy sources in the next decade. It’s essential for governments and companies to collaborate to create a more sustainable and resilient energy system”.
“We certainly expect that Italy’s hydrogen strategy, expected to be published next July, will go beyond the Hydrogen Valley model and provide supportive incentives for the entire supply chain”, concludes Chizzolini. “In the meantime, we’ve already started contributing, Stefano. Thank you very much for joining this conversation, and see you soon!”