Italy has joined the initiative: "Three Percent Club Coalition" led by the IEA as part of the UN process of the Climate Action Summit (2019), aimed at promoting a global improvement in energy efficiency to three percent annually through the large-scale use of existing and cost-effective technologies.
The Italian proposal "Demand-Driven Electricity Networks Initiative - 3DEN" is aimed at facilitating the spread of digital and "intelligent" (smart) systems, which optimize the interaction between the different components of the electrical system, and is considered to be of high importance (flagship) within the G20 Italian presidency in 2021.
Description
The aim of the project is to accelerate the path to energy transition, especially in the most vulnerable countries, through the progressive improvement of energy infrastructures, so to allow the full exploitation of the global growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The proposal intends to facilitate the spread of digital and "intelligent" (smart) systems, which optimize the interaction between the different components of the electricity system both on the demand side (production and storage of renewable energy) and on the supply side (efficiency energy, electric vehicles, etc.) with significant benefits for reducing emissions, air quality and access to energy.
The initiative is divided into three phases.
• Guidelines - They include: a) selection of the most appropriate policy, planning, regulation and evaluation tools for possible organizational/institutional changes needed; b) mapping of the portfolio of relevant technologies and elaboration of a diagnostic Grid Smartness index; c) identification, investment requirements and more effective financing mechanisms; d) quantification of the benefits in terms of reducing emissions, articulated within the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
These guidelines are produced by the IEA, with the support of the Advisory Group.
• Pilot Projects – It consists of the implementation of pilot projects in geographical areas of strategic interest (Brazil, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Colombia) to test the guidelines on the regulatory, financial and technological aspects. The implementation of these projects is being assigned to UNEP, Division of Technology, Industry and Economics.
• A dissemination and replicability campaign - The campaign will aim to raise awareness of the crucial role played by a “smart” infrastructure in catalyzing the energy transition; to promote the use of guidelines; to collect stakeholder commitments from governments, private sector actors and NGOs.
Governance
The project is managed by a Joint Committee, in which Italy and IEA sit, which has the task of providing strategic indications and supervising its implementation. The Italian coordination is carried out by the MiTE, in connection with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
In addition, an Advisory Committee is charged to advise on technical issues, provide a contribution to the project results and support the implementation of the pilot project phase.
Approximately 30 entities participate in the Advisory Committee, representing multilateral agencies, financial institutions, the public sector, industry, government experts, research organizations and the private sector. Among them there are currently ten Italians: the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment (ARERA); Energy Services Manager (GSE); AENEAS; Research on the Energy System (RSE); Polytecnic of Milan; Polytechnic of Bari; TERNA; UNARETI; ARETI; ENEL.
Duration and Budget
The duration of the project is of four years, starting from 1 January 2020, and has a total budget of 6.5 million euros, which the IEA manages.
In addition, another 6.5 million euros will be allocated to UNEP for the management and implementation of pilot projects. The process is being finalized.
Link
https://www.iea.org/programmes/digital-demand-driven-electricity-networks-initiative