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Enel’s Gostinelli on Utilities’ Role in Energy’s Transformation

verify the interoperability of their flexibility Additionally, there are other technologies, PEN: What’s the role of EVs and energy
solutions within simulated, emulated, or even such as tidal energy, that are being tested in storage in the energy transition?
real interconnected electricity grids. the form of prototypes and that could become Gostinelli: Electric mobility is a key driver of
relevant for the next decarbonization wave. the energy transition and is expected to lead
PEN: We have different renewable It is always important to remember that to an increase in the demand for electric-
electricity sources, including photovoltaics alongside physical assets, digital represents a ity, generated with renewable sources. This
and wind energy. But we also have other key array of “technologies.” Digital platforms means that the need for flexibility of electric-
sources. What is the current trend, and have been and will continue to be key when it ity systems is increasing fast. As discussed
what are the technologies that can offer comes to managing this increasing complex- earlier, in 20 years, global renewable capacity
innovation for leadership? ity, driving a sustainable energy transition is projected to grow more than 4× versus
Gostinelli: The scaling up of renewables, within evolving regulatory frameworks. Being today [IEA, World Energy Outlook 2020],
electrification, and digitalization are the main a platform-based utility enables Enel to create creating a huge market for renewables but
pillars for accelerating the energy transi- shared value: Open new businesses that also new opportunities for system flexibil-
tion and decarbonizing the economy. We contribute to margins, reduce operating costs ity secured by energy storage and batteries.
strongly believe that renewables will need across the value chain, and maximize benefits Therefore, there is a growing interest in the
to ramp up dramatically, and we are ready to to stakeholders as well as society at large. development of storage systems and their
contribute: In 10 years, Enel is planning to integration within the energy matrix.
add a total of 95,000 MW of new renewable PEN: Mounting pressure from govern- We think that the solution that allows the
capacity, reaching about 145,000 MW of ments and consumers for a sustainable best use of energy storage is the co-location
total renewable capacity, which is roughly 3× future means that decarbonization and of renewable energy production facilities
today’s capacity. To reach this target, we will electrification solutions are more in with energy storage assets, which can enable
mobilize investments for about €190 billion demand than ever before. Also, supercars the hybridized plant to supply flexibility and
over 10 years. By the end of 2030, our share of are investing in e-mobility. How do you adequacy services to the grid, thus providing
renewables on total generation capacity will forecast the evolution of the EV market in a complete and competitive decarbonized
be higher than 80%, while at the same time, the coming years? solution to the needs of power systems under
we will have reduced CO unitary emissions by Gostinelli: The world is changing fast, the energy transition. This is why a significant
2
80% versus base year 2017, getting to a target and so is electric mobility. According to chapter in our strategic plan is dedicated to
that is certified by the Science-Based Target BloombergNEF and IEA, to achieve net-zero storage within renewable plants. As already
Initiative as aligned to the 1.5˚C climate path, emissions by the middle of the century, 60% mentioned, our target is to reach 20 TWh of
according to the Paris Agreement. of all cars sold globally must be electric by battery energy storage by 2030.
2030, while this share has to reach almost At the same time, we foresee growth in the
‘Renewables, electrification, 100% by 2035 [BNEF, Electric Vehicle Outlook retail sector, with small-scale battery sys-
(EVO) 2021; IEA, 2021, Net Zero by 2050].
tems to be placed at industrial plants or even
and digitalization are the main The future of mobility is electric because it in buildings. We can think of condominiums
pillars [of the transition].’ is more efficient [IEA, World Energy Outlook with their own storage systems. Flexibility
2020]; it allows a zero-emissions driving
solutions like batteries and storage must
— FRANCESCA GOSTINELLI experience, improving air quality in the grow as fast as the need for flexibility of
communities where we live and increasing the electrical systems.
level of comfort while driving. On the other side, depending on user
Wind and solar are mature and cost- But electric mobility is already part of behavior profiles and related top-up optimi-
competitive technologies today, but we are our present. There are already 12 million zation models including further evolution of
continuously innovating them with our part- passenger EVs on the road today worldwide, business models — for example, management
ners to reach the next level of efficiency and of which over 3 million sold in 2020 alone systems aimed at reducing contemporaneity,
effectiveness, as well as fostering circularity, [BNEF, EVO 2021]. Many automakers are vehicle-to-grid, smart charging, etc. —
looking end to end into the entire value chain. quickly changing their value proposition by electric mobility can play a role as a flexibil-
Furthermore, we are looking for the integra- investing heavily in the sector, hence giving ity services provider. For this purpose, the
tion of storage systems — we are targeting a clear signal to the market. For 10 years role of the distribution grids is again key for
20 TWh by 2030 — to increase the capability already, Enel has been at the forefront in the implementation of the relevant smart-
of solar and wind to provide flexibility and the deployment of EV-charging technology charging technology, which should be able
adequate services to the grid and reduce the and related services aimed at enabling the to secure flexibility to the electricity system
risk of curtailments. transition to electric mobility. while reducing overall cost.
In addition, green hydrogen is com- Moreover, the evolution of the EV mar- The energy transition is a challenge that
plementing electrification powered by ket, and the consequent need for enhanced needs the efforts of many different actors.
renewables. Certainly, electrification remains electric charging infrastructure, is leading Together, we can build a climate-resilient
the most cost-effective way to decarbonize a significant renewal and empowerment of future, and we can drive the economic recov-
large portions of final energy consumption, the distribution networks. In this sector, Enel ery post-pandemic, by leveraging the need
[but] green hydrogen produced from renew- is leading the effort to deal with increas- for a change in how we produce and consume
ables can provide a valuable contribution to ing electricity consumption, together with energy. Technology and innovation will not
the decarbonization of the so-called “hard the deployment of grids capable of coping stop surprising us. ■
to abate” sectors, such as chemical, aviation, with smart charging technology, as well as
and maritime transport. The technology is providing flexibility to the electricity system Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio is editor-in-chief
expected to be competitive with fossil-fuel– while reducing overall cost. This will be key if of Power Electronics News and EEWeb. This
based alternatives by 2030 due to the decrease we want to speed up the decarbonization and article originally appeared on Power
in costs of electrolyzers. electrification of the transportation sector. Electronics News.

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