Ecomondo international exhibition: ENEA presented its technologies for smart homes and cities

ENEA presented at Ecomondo international exhibition solutions for smart homes and smart cities. In the field of smart homes, ENEA technological innovation is based on sensors capable of gauging consumption, while also alerting us to break-ins and monitoring the health of occupants. One example of application is the project started in a district of Rome: sensors and smartphone interfacing devices were installed in the homes of 10 families, which enabled interaction with the domotic systems and control of electricity and heat consumption. “The smart models developed by ENEA intervene on all levels, ranging from individual dwellings and buildings to the entire urban context”, emphasizes Mauro Annunziato, head of ENEA’s Smart Energy division. “Smart cities start out from a system of sensors and interface mechanisms that enable interconnection among public lighting grids, transport and buildings. These new services lead to improvements in quality of life and make for more sustainable, safer and more inclusive cities,” he adds.

At the smart city level, ENEA collaborates with the Municipality of Livorno (Tuscany) to build the first urban-scale model ^[1], which will lead to energy savings of up to 70%, plus CO₂ cuts of over 1,400 tons per year. The interventions include the adoption of technologies such as ‘smart’ street lighting that transforms public lighting into a digital hub capable of monitoring traffic and air quality, and that ensures energy consumption abatement and a widespread public Wi-Fi network.

ENEA also presented a sample of yarn for hi-tech fabrics made from the waste generated by processing carbon fibre for the linings of the interiors of cars. This yarn − resulting from a patent filed by ENEA and the University of Bergamo − can be integrated with electronic circuits to exploit its heating, communication and electrical connection capacities. This new recovered material costs 50% less than virgin carbon fibre and the environmental impact is much lower, thanks to the use of waste materials destined otherwise for disposal in landfills. In 2018 the world carbon fibres market stood at almost 3 million dollars (European share = 27%).

On the YouTube channel “ENEAChannel” videos are available to be freely streamed. They regard ENEA’s solutions in the field of economics − e.g. 100% biodegradable and compostable bioplastic and a ‘toner’ for 3D printers made from plastic of electrical and electronic waste. See, https: // www.youtube.com/user/ENEANEWS