Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development
Research & Development
ENEA research activities are focused on the following sectors
ENEA’s Department for Sustainability (SSPT) develops, implements and promotes the eco-innovation in production and consumption systems, contributing to the definition and implementation of country’s strategies and policies within the overall framework of transition towards more sustainable production and consumption model.
Divisions are the organisational units of the Department that carry out research and development activities in the following areas:
ENEA's Department of Energy Technologies and Renewable Sources (TERIN) carries out study, analysis, research, development and qualification activities of technologies, methodologies, materials, processes and products, advanced design, construction of prototype systems, provision of advanced technical services, technology transfer and knowledge of the production system in the sectors of renewable energy sources (solar thermal and thermodynamic with innovative energy storage systems, photovoltaic, bioenergy and biorefinery for energy production, biofuels, chemical intermediates and biomaterials, polygeneration and multi-vector systems), of technologies, devices and systems for Smart Grids, integrated energy networks and energy communities, energy efficiency and end uses of energy (smart industry, smart cities and rational use of energy, sustainable mobility and innovative transport, sustainable use of fossil fuels and advanced thermal cycles, hydrogen and fuel cells, Power to Gas/Liquid, electrical, thermal and chemical energy storage, energy flexibility, ICT, Blockchain, IoT, AI, HPC, robotics).
ENEA has worked on energy efficiency for over 30 years, being particularly concerned with R&D on those technologies aimed at increasing the efficiency of energy production and use. The Agency provides Public Administration with its support and advice to define methodologies for quantifying energy savings, to be used at the central and local levels as a mean to implement the various regulations and disseminate the culture of energy efficiency.
At present, ENEA provides:
- support to Public Administration and information and training, in its role of National Agency for Energy Efficiency
- development of advanced technologies for energy and industry,
- studies and research for electric power saving in the service, civil, public lighting, air-conditioning, transport sectors, under a Programme Agreement with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.
Research and development of physics and engineering in the nuclear domain and other related disciplines; design and certification of advanced components and systems in the field of nuclear fusion and fission; coordination of national and international projects in the nuclear domain; related services to citizens and businesses – these, in brief, make up the many activities of the Nuclear Department (NUC) of ENEA: strategically aiming to develop scientific and technological skills for next-generation fusion and fission nuclear energy, and, more generally speaking, to develop ionising radiation and radiopharmacy applications, as well as advanced services necessary for all-round management of the fuel cycle and security of nuclear plants. The Department’s activity has been further extended recently with the design and construction of the Divertor Tokamak Test facility (DTT).
The interministerial decree of 30 September, 2010, – co-signed by the Italian Ministers of Research and of Economic Development – outlines a new system management of the Italian National Research Programme in Antarctica (PNRA), confirming ENEA as the official body in charge of implementing the Antarctic expedition plan and of organizing all the relevant technical and logistic actions on site. ENEA had already been assigned this role since 1985, year of PNRA foundation, until 2003. Furthermore, in the framework of its own institutional competences, the Agency conducts scientific research on the environment, climate change and technology innovation in polar areas.
MY WAY AT HOME - Following the PNRA XXXVI oceanographic cruise
The Electric System Research project provides R&D aimed at: innovating the Italian national electric system, decreasing electric power costs for end-users; enhancing the system’s reliability and the service quality, reducing the electric system impact on heath and the environment; allowing to use energy sources rationally and ensuring the Country suitable conditions for a sustainable development.
Activities are funded by end users with the “R&D contributions”, one of the items listed on the electricity bills (item A5). The amount from these contributions is set by the Italian National Regulatory Authority for Electricity and Gas (AEEG).
The research projects are implemented under Programme Agreements between the Italian Ministry for Economic Development and ENEA, CNR, and RSE S.p.A.
Starting from 2006, ENEA has co-signed two Programme Agreements. To date, the projects of the third year of the 2009-2011 Programme Agreement are underway .
Research has been carried out by ENEA in collaboration with the main national university institutions and with the participated companies SOTACARBO and FN Nuove Tecnologie Avanzate