- The Enel Group’s global business line and Nuova Solmine, a leading company in the basic chemicals sector, are starting a collaboration based on the installation of a plant to improve the energy efficiency of process auxiliaries
Rome, February 14th, 2022 - Capturing excess thermal energy and transforming it into electricity without emitting CO2 into the atmosphere: this is the first step taken by the partnership between Enel X and Nuova Solmine. The initiative represents the design and installation of the world’s first Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) plant in a sulphuric acid production facility; the project will be implemented with the financial support of Cogenio, an Enel X partner company active in energy efficiency projects.
“The collaboration with Nuova Solmine is an example of Enel X’s ongoing commitment to raising the level of sustainability of its partners,” said Augusto Raggi, Head of Enel X Italia. “The energy transition requires the creation of new industrial business models that are more ethical and environmentally-friendly, and today, with the construction of the ORC plant, a virtuous path is being followed that places cutting-edge technology at the service of safer, circular production processes that are attentive to the needs of Italy.”
“The synergy between Enel X and Nuova Solmine will lead to the implementation of further projects in compliance with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, with the aim of accelerating the sustainability process of the Tuscan company, making it a point of reference for the territory,” stated Luigi Mansi, President of Nuova Solmine. “In the research phase we have projects for the development of electric mobility and for the production of green hydrogen.”
The protection of the region and the safety of the entire design cycle are at the heart of the agreement, using an eco-sustainable approach that will bring significant benefits especially in terms of environmental protection: the new ORC system will save up to 75,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the 20-year life of the plant.
Enel X Global Retail is the Enel group’s global business line that offers services to accelerate innovation and drive the energy transition. World leader in the sector of advanced energy solutions, Enel X Global Retail manages services such as demand response for approximately 7.7 GW of total capacity globally and 195 MW of storage capacity installed. Through its advanced solutions, including energy management and financial services, Enel X Global Retail provides each partner with an intuitive and personalised ecosystem of technological platforms and consulting services, focused on the principles of sustainability and the circular economy in order to provide people, communities, institutions and companies with an alternative model that respects the environment and integrates technological innovation into daily life. Each solution has the power to transform the goals of decarbonisation, electrification and digitalisation into sustainable actions for all, in order to build a more sustainable and efficient world together.
Nuova Solmine, a company belonging to the Sol.Mar Group, is a leader in the basic chemicals sector. It produces sulphuric acid, oleum and carbon-free electricity using sulphur from domestic and foreign refineries as its raw material. Sulphuric acid is used in almost all manufacturing processes and in particular in the production of pigments, fertilisers and plastics. Its reference markets are Italy, the Mediterranean basin and, depending on prices, South America. Production takes place at the two plants in Scarlino (GR) and Serravalle Scrivia (AL). The latter uses sulphur-based waste that is recycled following the principle of the circular economy.