Energy: Terna and ENEA together for new technologies serving the electricity grid

Artificial intelligence, sensors and the IOT for developing even more efficient strategies to foresee and manage critical environmental situations

Terna, the company that operates the Italian national electricity grid, and ENEA, the Italian agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable economic development, have launched a collaboration on research aimed at increasing the security and resilience of the high-voltage grid. Through the use of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, sensors and data analysis through the IoT, Terna and ENEA will work together to develop models and tools for the prevention and management of emergencies that affect infrastructures: these "capital light” solutions work in synergy with the development of the grid to ensure maximum effectiveness in managing potentially critical situations linked to extreme weather, air pollution and geological events.

Specifically, this collaboration will focus on the development of decision making support systems in case of extreme events also through the graphic representation of the phenomena, on the estimation of the effectiveness of preventive actions aimed at increasing grid resilience and on the development of technologies and sensors for real-time monitoring of assets, as well as forecast models of possible physical damage to infrastructures.

Terna is already installing advanced sensor, monitoring and diagnostic systems, also of the predictive type, for the benefit of the security of the grid and the territory. Through the use of IOT technology and innovative digital instruments placed on the infrastructure, Terna also collects data useful for managing the electricity system securely and preventing emergency situations. As regards innovation and digitisation, Terna has already planned approximately € 900 million of investments out of the total € 8.9 billion provided for in the 2021-2025 Business Plan.

ENEA is committed to the development of advanced technologies, systems, and tools to support operators and the Public Administration for the protection and management of critical infrastructures through the EISAC.it (European Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Centre, Italian node) initiative, which has as its objective to develop and make advanced technologies available for the monitoring and assessment of the various types of risk, especially those caused by natural events. Through the acquisition of information (satellite data, simulations, weather forecasts) systems in place to provide support to EISAC.it decision making allow for the preparation of prevention strategies and risk scenarios, thanks to which it is possible to carry out stress tests on the infrastructures.

“This understanding between two Italian leaders confirms the central role of research and innovation for contributing to increase the security and resilience of energy infrastructure. With the support of ENEA, we shall be able to carry out even more actions which are useful in tackling the risks connected with the occurrence of extreme weather events, leveraging not only grid development but also the implementation of new, cost-effective, technologies which allow us to maximise the reliability of our infrastructures. New technologies, innovation and digitalisation are, as already outlined in the new 2021-2025 Industrial Plan, essential elements to design 'new ways of working' that respond to the change imposed by this last year and to enable the energy transition to benefit the resilience, security and flexibility of the entire system” stated Francesco Del Pizzo, Head of Grid Development and Dispatch Strategies for Terna.

“This collaboration with Terna is particularly satisfying for us and will allow us to pool the technology, risk assessment and monitoring systems and scenario analyses developed as part of our R&D for the protection of critical infrastructures and decision support for management in crisis situations”, stressed Giorgio Graditi, Manager of the ENEA Energy Technologies and Renewable Sources Department. "The ongoing pandemic” - he added - “has highlighted even more the importance of guaranteeing the operations of strategic infrastructures, with particular reference to electricity, telecommunications, and water and gas grids, in order not to inhibit the supply of primary services in sectors such as health and logistics".

For more information please contact: Vittorio Rosato, ENEA - Head, Laboratory for the Analysis and Protection of Critical Infrastructures, Coordinator EISAC.it - vittorio.rosato@enea.it