Innovation is one of the central issues that will allow to meet in a sustainable way the growing energy needs. This is a particularly difficult challenge, since energy must be supplied in an environmentally friendly and affordable manner. The Enel Group has launched research programmes within the Technological Innovation Plan (about 700 million euros for 2010-2014). The development of this Plan, which integrated Endesa’s activities, is aimed at increasing competitiveness and strengthen the Group’s technological and environmental leadership.
The growth of renewable electricity generation is an essential part of sustainable development strategies of the energy sector. Some types of renewable generation (like photovoltaics) have already achieved a satisfying technological level, but due to their excessive costs and insufficient efficiency they cannot be effectively deployed on a large scale, while other types are still being developed. Therefore, research is focusing both on improving existing technologies in order to lower costs and increase efficiency, and on developing new generation concepts.
Enel operates in all major renewable generation technologies. In solar photovoltaics (characterizing performances of commercial and innovative systems in real environment and monitoring performances), in solar thermal (developing innovative plant models aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs), in wind (production forecasts), biomass, innovative geothermal, marine power, developing low-cost distributed generation for electricity supplies and storage systems in remote areas.
In 2010, Enel’s activities aimed at developing innovative technologies amounted to about 87 million euros. The latter included 51 million euros for research on thermal generation, 20 million on renewable generation, 2 million on nuclear generation and the remaining 14 million for other activities (9 million euros) and electricity distribution (5 million). There are several examples of excellence, including hydrogen electricity generation, low-temperature geothermal, concentrating solar photovoltaic and the innovative Archimede solar thermal plant. Also, as regards energy efficiency, the LED technology used for the Archilede lamps, smart grids and electric mobility systems.
Last update: 19/07/2011
