The global energy landscape is undergoing a critical transformation. As we combat climate change, the transition to renewable energy sources has become of paramount importance. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind, will play a pivotal role in reducing emissions from the electricity sector.
Today, nearly 40% of all carbon dioxide pollution stems from power plants burning fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that by 2050, almost 90% of global electricity generation will come from renewable sources, with solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind accounting for nearly 70%. However, it is estimated that at least $4 trillion a year needs to be invested in renewable energy until 2030 to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The good news is that solar panels and wind turbines are increasingly affordable. In several cases, they are already cheaper than coal and other fossil fuels. By making renewable energy a global public good, we can ensure that it benefits everyone, not just the wealthy.
This will involve removing roadblocks to knowledge sharing and technological transfer, including intellectual property rights barriers. Energy storage systems (such as battery and hydro), which allow energy from renewables to be stored and released when needed, will also enhance energy system flexibility.
A robust supply of renewable energy components and raw materials is vital. From minerals for wind turbines to electric vehicle infrastructure, we need widespread access to these resources. International coordination will be necessary to expand and diversify manufacturing capacity globally. Investments should focus on sustainable practices that protect ecosystems and cultures, while technologies should limit or avoid the use of rare and/or critical materials.
Today, the energy transition and the drive towards decarbonisation are demanding a change in companies’ business models.
For oil companies in particular, the concept of bioenergy will play a key role in this change, by providing sustainable biofuels for road transport as well as for the aviation industry. This trend is set to make mobility both smarter and more sustainable.
The European Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) has set a target that Member States must source 14% of their transport fuel from renewable energy by 2030.
The RED II also introduces the possibility to certify biofuels as “low ILUC-risk”, providing an opportunity for economic operators to demonstrate that their fuels have a low risk of indirect land-use change impacts.
The concept of low ILUC-risk biofuels relies on the concept of “additionality”, producing additional biomass either through extra yields in existing crop systems, or through new crop production on formerly unused, abandoned or severely degraded lands.
The requirements of this certification scheme were first outlined in the delegated regulation (EU) 2019/807 and further specified by the implementing regulation (EU) 2022/996 of the European Commission.
In compliance with the above-mentioned regulations, the oil companies have the possibility to implement a green transition model linking agriculture and energy through the sustainable production of biofuel from vegetable oil.
As the world shifts towards more sustainable energy sources, the role of import terminals in this transition has become increasingly critical. Import terminals are vital infrastructures for the reception, storage, and distribution of energy resources. Their significance can be understood from various perspectives:
As global energy markets evolve, nations with well-developed import terminals are better positioned to adapt to changes in supply chains and energy policies.
For existing terminals looking to adopt new energy vectors, it is essential to conduct a thorough assessment of available spaces, safety distances, and compatibility with existing infrastructures.
Since 2009, Europe has set renewable energy targets for its member states. The current 2018 Renewable Energy Directive (known as RED II) mandates that 32% of gross final energy consumption be met by renewables by 2030, with a target of 14% for the transport sector.
On November 20, 2023, the Third Renewable Energy Directive (Directive 2023/2413, known as RED III) came into force. Member States have 18 months from this date to meet the Directive. RED III sets more ambitious renewable energy targets for 2030: 42.5% of gross energy from renewables by 2030 and 29% in the transport sector.
The renewable fuels that count towards achieving the targets are: liquid biofuels (to be used in the transport sector); bioliquids (in the fields of power generation, heating and cooling); solid and gaseous biomass fuels (in power generation, heating and cooling, and transport); recycled carbon fuels (RCF) (transport sector); and finally liquid and gaseous fuels from non-biological renewable sources (RFNBOs) (transport sector, and subsequently all sectors including industry when RED III is adopted).
Fuels derived from raw materials such as waste or residues or raw materials that do not compete with the food sector are particularly favored, with additional targets and forms of incentives. The Renewable Energy Directives establish criteria according to which these fuels must be certified: greenhouse gas savings, the impact of land use change, social impact and in the case of waste and by-products, the risk of fraud.
RINA has issued more than 3,500 certificates under the ISCC EU scheme, more than 450 certificates according to the National System and more than 20 according to the 2BS scheme. In Italy, RINA is the leader in certificates issued on biomethane (more than 50). This expertise has become more urgent with a new decree on 7 August 2024 governing Italy’s national Certification system for the Sustainability of Biofuels, the Certification of Renewable Fuels of non-biological origin and that of Recycled Carbon Fuels contains important innovations. Crucially, users of biofuels for electricity and/or thermal energy production, and ETS subjects, have now been included in the organizations that must be certified.
The sun is currently shining brightly on agrivoltaics.This practice - combining land use for farming and electricity generation using photovoltaic solar panels - is a rapidly growing sector which brings together the common interests of farmers and energy developers to optimize crops, produce clean energy, and maximize revenue. Boosted by new regulatory approval processes and tenders for access to the CFD system, the sector offers numerous advantages and could play a key role in supporting European climate change goals.
These include land value enhancement through leasing practices, increased passive income for tenants, reduced water waste and energy costs, support for more sustainable agricultural practices, and minimization of greenhouse gases.
Agrivoltaics also makes land more versatile by creating new microclimates resulting from the combination of agricultural and solar panels, leading to cooler temperatures and increased shading. These developments intersect with the profound structural and cyclical changes within the agricultural property system. According to a study by the University of Gloucestershire, farms are increasingly becoming larger and more structured, fewer in number, and with higher capital investment. Today’s farmers must reposition themselves in a modern and technological system where land stewardship and sustainability are not mere details but the focal point of specific activities. This emerging field will require specialized professionals capable of developing innovative and constructive solutions.
As we move toward a more sustainable future, the demand for battery storage systems is set to experience a remarkable surge, projected to reach an impressive 5.1 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030. This growth is primarily fueled by the mobility sector, which is expected to contribute a staggering 90% of the overall demand.
China is expected to capture a significant share, dominating 40% of the global market. With this rapid expansion, we can expect substantial growth across the entire battery value chain, particularly in cell components and production processes. The intricacies of battery supply chains are evolving, leading to enhanced tracking systems and localized value chains. The development of gigafactories is essential for the growth of the market, with investments projected to exceed $350 billion by 2030. However, this growth is not without challenges.
The industry faces hurdles related to securing financing, accessing skilled labor, and ensuring a consistent supply of raw materials. In response to these challenges, the EU Battery Regulation has been implemented, establishing a comprehensive framework for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This regulatory landscape presents new opportunities for stakeholders within the battery market. It is worth noting that this push for regulation extends beyond Europe; the US and the UK are also working on establishing robust regulations for battery production and usage. Another significant opportunity lies in battery recycling, which is expected to evolve into a crucial business sector. By 2040, an estimated 17.3 million tons of materials will be available for recovery, reducing reliance on virgin resources while contributing to sustainability efforts.
Baglietto’s B-ZERO project is a groundbreaking development in the yachting industry, focusing on hydrogen as a clean energy source to propel yachts.
It represents a significant step towards a sustainable future in the yachting industry. By leveraging hydrogen fuel cell technology and hybrid propulsion systems, the project is paving the way for zero-emission yachting, aligning with global environmental goals and setting a new standard for the industry. Developed by La Spezia-based boat builder Baglietto, the project acknowledges that there is currently no renewable energy source that can completely replace fuel oil alone. Hence, the focus is on hybrid yachts, which can be propelled by a combination of diesel and electric propulsion systems.
RINA was chosen by Baglietto to oversee and certify the development of the B-ZERO prototype, ensuring that the system meets the highest quality and safety standards. To fulfill the demands of the brief, RINA’s team addressed the way to create a project of a Hybrid Power Yacht which includes various navigation modes such as full electric, diesel-electric, diesel shaft generation, and diesel traditional. The vision extends up to 2035, with a focus on hydrogen and batteries, e-fuels, and advanced biofuels to achieve zero emissions and GHG net-zero targets. Already the B-ZERO hybrid yacht incorporates several technological innovations:
The REPowerEU plan proposes that the European Union should produce 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030. Additionally, the EU Hydrogen Strategy aims for 40 GW of installed renewable hydrogen electrolyser capacity by the same year. Achieving these ambitious objectives requires the rapid development of large-scale green hydrogen production plants. Such installations depend on both mature and emerging technologies, with a critical focus on the integration of diverse solutions. Furthermore, given the typical low energy density of hydrogen, it is essential to optimize the production and handling of hydrogen carriers, with ammonia being one of the most promising options.
In this context, ProEuropean Trading GmbH is developing the H2CRETE Valley Project (H2CRETE) on the island of Crete. Through this initiative, the Munich-based company aims to transform the Greek island into the largest low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia hub in the Mediterranean Sea.
H2CRETE is a pioneering clean hydrogen and ammonia production project, designed to deploy state-of-the-art technology integration solutions on a large scale in a strategic location for the European Union. The project is situated in Atherinolakos, in the southeast of Crete, Greece, an area officially recognized as an “energy centre” and designated as the endpoint for several energy interconnection projects.
The H2CRETE Valley Project includes a seawater desalination system, a 100 MW electrolysis production plant, an ammonia production unit, storage facilities, and ancillary equipment. The hydrogen and ammonia produced by H2CRETE will serve various off takers, including import terminals, mobility, maritime, and the cement industry. H2CRETE is officially recognised and certified by Mission Innovation and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership as a global Hydrogen Valley flagship project.
H2CRETE is an ambitious and innovative project, set to support the European Union in achieving its decarbonisation targets. Thanks to initiatives like this, the island of Crete has the potential to become a true clean energy hub, acting as a gateway for renewable energy from North Africa and the Middle East to Europe.
Ammonia (NH₃) has long been known for its role in agriculture as a key ingredient in fertilizers. Now it is emerging as an unexpected, yet promising, player in the energy sector, particularly as a hydrogen carrier. The molecular composition of ammonia includes three hydrogen atoms, making it a practical and efficient medium for hydrogen storage and transport. Ammonia is synthesized through the Haber-Bosch process, which uses nitrogen and hydrogen. If green hydrogen-produced through renewable energy sources-or low-carbon hydrogen is used, ammonia becomes a low-impact energy carrier with significant potential in global energy supply chains.
At first glance, it may seem counterintuitive to use ammonia as a medium for transporting hydrogen, which can be produced directly from renewable sources via electrolysis. However, for the same liquid volume, ammonia contains 1.7 times more hydrogen than liquid hydrogen. Ammonia is a more energy-dense carrier per unit of volume, offering significant advantages when transporting energy across long distances. This makes it a strong contender in scenarios where volume efficiency is key, especially for regions like Europe that rely on importing renewable energy from production hubs.
Ammonia holds another significant advantage over hydrogen when it comes to transportation. While hydrogen liquefies at an extremely low temperature of -252.87°C, making its storage and transport technically challenging and costly, ammonia can be liquefied at -33.34°C at atmospheric pressure.
Fourth-generation (Gen IV) nuclear reactors are designed to improve efficiency, safety and sustainability compared to current reactors. However, this technology presents significant material-related challenges, as operating conditions are extremely severe.
Material issues in Gen IV reactors represent one of the main technical barriers to their technological development. Today’s research is focusing on innovative developments that ensure resistance to extreme conditions, in order to achieve safety and efficiency goals. The main problems are related to the different operating modes linked to specific technologies, such as high working temperatures, the corrosive phenomena induced by coolants, and the presence of neutron radiation.
Gen IV reactors use innovative coolants (gases, liquid metals, molten salts) to better exploit fast reactions, but the substitution of water with these new coolants creates specific challenges. In particular, the use of lead or their alloys as coolants is attractive due to their safety and non-nuclear proliferation aspects, however they also present criticalities such as embrittlement and corrosion phenomena to steels.
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