Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development
Sections
RESEARCH
TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE FUTURE
One of ENEA’s objectives is to accelerate the technological development of limited eco-impact energy systems. Mostly they are emerging technologies still requiring a remarkable effort of finalisation, such as: new-generation photovoltaics, hydrogen vector, fuel cells, fusion nuclear energy and superconductivity. In line with this objective many projects covering several different fields have been started up with a view to keep the Country system’s competitivity high in the framework of sustainable development. Among others mention must be made of ICT, robotics, new materials, nanotechnologies, “omic” technologies, biomedicine, optical and radiation technologies.
ENEA is particularly dedicated to developing the following STRATEGIC PROJECTS:
- New-generation Photovoltaics
Objectives: Optimisation and industrialisation of Point-focus technology, developed by ENEA in the framework of PhoCUS (Photovoltaic Concentrators to Utility Scale) project. This technology uses module-integrated prismatic refractive lenses allowing for a product which is highly-efficient, reliable and commercially-competitive if compared to plain photovoltaics. - Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Objectives: Development of processes for low- or zero-CO2 emission hydrogen production, especially solar-powered thermochemical processes, biomass and waste gasification, and fermentation biological processes; development of new materials and accumulation systems particularly suitable to be used on board. - New Materials for the Energy Sector
Objectives: Development of new materials – particularly nanophase and nanostructured – for advanced solutions in such sectors as: technologies for very-high-temperature applications, thermochemical-cycle hydrogen production, hydrogen store in metal hydrides and its use in fuel cells, technologies for alternative sources of energy and energy saving, third-generation photovoltaics, solid-state lighting. - FAST – The Italian Experiment for Nuclear Fusion
Objectives: Setting-up of a Tokamak-like magnetic-confinement-fusion machine performing intermediate between JET and ITER, which is of greatest importance for ITER and DEMO. Such machine is to be installed in one of ENEA sites for testing components without using tritium and under high-thermal-flux operating conditions and long-duration discharges. - Superconductivity
Objectives: R&D activities and setting-up of superconducting magnets for applications in the fusion field and of innovative YBCO superconductors for applications in energy transport too; cost reduction and higher energy efficiency by using basic research and optimising production processes in collaboration with the national industries.
as well as the following LINES OF ACTIVITIES:
- Ionising and Coherent Radiation for the Study of Matter
Objectives: Study and development of particle and radiation beam sources for applications in a wide range of sectors: study of matter, sensoristics, environmental analyses, biomedicine, advanced diagnostics, innovation of industrial processes, cultural heritage. - Optical and Electro-optical Technologies, Materials and Applications
Objectives: Study and development of optical and electro-optical technologies for applications in a wide range of sectors: study of matter, sensoristics, environmental analyses, biomedicine, advanced diagnostics, innovation of industrial processes, cultural heritage. - Robotics: Testing activities and development of frontier’s competence
Objectives: Development of new methods and principles in several sectors of autonomous Robotics, especially as related to: neural network technologies, cooperative robotic systems targeted to the exploration of totally unknown and/or dangerous environments, man-robot multichannel communication. - Biomedicine
Objectives: Research on environmental and occupational health, radioprotection and therapeutic use of radiation; development of methodologies, procedures and technologies targeted to transferring the biological/biomedical know-how acquired in the ENEA’s radiobiology, analytical cytology, immunology and bioelectromagnetism labs to the national health service, public administration and industries. - Magnetic-confinement Fusion
Objectives: ENEA is the national coordinator of all the activities related to the ITER tokamak machine. Within the strategy adopted by the international community it is the only intermediate experiment preceding the construction of a demonstration reactor. ENEA is also actively involved in the IGNITOR programme and in the FAST strategic project. - Inertial-confinement Fusion
Objectives: Studies on laser-matter interaction for inertial fusion and other applications requiring high-power density energy; ENEA is the national coordinator of all the Institutions participating in the HiPER international project dedicated to setting up a large-laser system.