A deal to accelerate the decarbonization of the metals sector in Italy and elsewhere: Snam, Europe’s largest energy infrastructure operator, and Tenova, a leading developer and provider of sustainable solutions for the metals industry’s green transition, have committed to conducting joint strategic studies and market analysis for the implementation of specific infrastructure and metals production systems utilizing green hydrogen.
The objective is to deliver comprehensive, complete commercial solutions that have been tested in industrial plants to significantly reduce CO 2 and NOx emissions throughout the metals manufacturing process – from melting through processing of semi-finished products.
“Through this agreement – Cosma Panzacchi, EVP Hydrogen at Snam commented – we further develop our network of partners and projects to introduce green hydrogen into the relevant productive processes of the metals industry. Hydrogen is essential to cut emissions from the production of steel and other metals, as well as from all hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, ceramic, chemistry and refining. Snam is willing to contribute through its technologies and know-how by enabling, as fast as possible, the hydrogen transition of such crucial commodity chains for the Italian economy”.
Snam will provide experience in hydrogen technologies and transportation, while Tenova will contribute expertise in this field, more precisely in combustion systems for reheating and heating treatment, as well as in electric arc furnaces. The two firms’ relationship will evolve through particular tests conducted in the laboratory currently under construction at Tenova’s headquarters in Castellanza, Varese, as well as through installations and production tests on industrial sites.
“Everyone talks about green hydrogen, but the reality is that its supply and use are still limited, and, at the same time, pressures to mitigate climate change are getting stronger. For this reason, we are developing a ready-to-use solution for our customers, directly at their production sites. The expertise of Snam and Tenova is complementary, and together we are ready to face the challenge of decarbonization, on which Tenova has been working for years thanks to solutions that make us the ideal technological partners to improve environmental performances without compromising the economic ones”, commented Roberto Pancaldi, Tenova CEO.
Tenova’s combustion systems, which are a critical component of the deal with Snam, are a highly creative and one-of-a-kind solution on the market. To begin, they provide scalable and flexible CO 2 emission reduction: once built, these systems may operate on a variable percentage of natural gas and hydrogen, up to 100 percent hydrogen, while retaining emissions well below the most stringent regulations. Additionally, they can be combined with sophisticated 4.0 technologies, resulting in significant administration and maintenance benefits, courtesy of Tenova’s digital infrastructure.
Snam’s expertise in hydrogen technology and transportation will enable it to provide optimal integration across the whole value chain, thereby satisfying the needs of this industry.
