Research at Enel

The energy issue, at the current high rate of energy consumption by man, has become central in the analysis of contemporary lifestyle.

Whether considering renewable sources, diversification of fuels or better technologies to change the support network of power generation, the key word in producing clean low cost energy is RESEARCH.

With its 30 years in the Italian energy field, Enel has a traditional experience in the research and development area.

The Research group, as part of the Engineering and Innovation division since 2008, employs 200 high level researchers, 60% of which are graduates, and it is provided with laboratories and experimental areas throughout the Italian territory.

The strategic vision of ENEL is expressed through a new concept of power plant, namely zero emission power plant, following the guideline of the European technology platform for “Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants”.

The goal is to “reset to zero the carbon emissions from fossil power plants by the year 2020, through the capture and sequestration of CO2”.

The Enel Research Group’s strategies to reduce the Carbon Dioxide emissions include medium and long term actions.

One of the medium term actions is efficiency increasing by using the advanced ultra-supercritical steam cycle in power plants, and new generation gas turbines in combined cycles.

Among the long term actions there are various initiatives, like practical developments in the field of renewable energies, including a full scale demonstration project for the application of advanced technologies within the Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration strategy, and hydrogen power plants allowing Carbon Dioxide capture and storage under the ground or the oceans, thus decreasing the risks of global warming.

 

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