Green Energy Days is an event that takes place every year in Salina, Sicily, to promote renewable energy.The event is promoted and organised by ENEA, ENEL, Sicily Region and the Municipality of Salina, where it takes place.
The program includes a number of activities, such as:
- Conferences and seminars on renewable energy;
- Exhibitions of technologies and products for renewable energy;
The aim of the event is to raise public awareness of renewable energy and the opportunities that these technologies offer for a more sustainable future. All starting from the islands, where the supply of electricity can become a problem.
This year ENESSERE was invited to present its micro wind turbine and discuss energy and green solutions. The round table organised for Green Energy Days allowed various companies in the sector to get to know each other and discuss about the exploitation of natural resources and the production of clean energy, giving life to interesting discussions and laying the foundations for future collaborations in the direction of a more sustainable future.
Islands: energy transition and independence
The energy system of small islands around the world is mainly based on an old way of using fossil fuels that is inefficient and expensive. However, in many of these islands there are local renewable resources such as sun, wind, tides, biomass and geothermal energy.
These resources offer an enormous potential that needs to be exploited to promote a sustainable development and improve the current energy system.
The Aeolian Islands, for example, being part of a volcanic system, are endowed with geothermal resources that can be used to generate electricity and to heat water and rooms.
To date, the exploitation of renewable energy in the Italian islands is still under development, but there is certainly the potential to revolutionise the energy sector. The islands can in fact become real natural laboratories for the experimentation of new technologies.
Renewable energies are therefore a precious resource for the islands, which can exploit them to improve their quality of life, their economy and their environment.
In particular, the micro-wind turbine is a technology that can be successfully exploited on islands, thanks to the presence of strong winds. Micro-wind turbines can be used to generate electricity for homes and companies. It is a reliable and efficient technology and it can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Aeolian Islands: the ecological transition in Salina
The ecological transition in Salina is a complex process that involves various actors, including the public administration, private companies, citizens and environmental associations. The Salina pilot project aims to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and to promote the use of renewable energy sources.
The interventions envisaged by the project concern the installation of solar panels, the modernisation of public lighting and the construction of a geothermal plant. Thanks to these interventions, Salina will be able to reduce CO2 emissions by around 30% by 2030.
Renewable sources in Salina
Renewable sources are an important part of the ecological transition in Salina. The pilot project involves the installation of solar panels, the modernisation of public lighting and the construction of a geothermal power plant.
Solar panels will be used to generate electricity, public lighting will be upgraded to more efficient LED bulbs, and a geothermal power plant will be used to generate electricity and heat water.
The benefits of the ecological transition
The ecological transition in Salina will bring many benefits, including:
- Reduction of CO2 emissions
- Greater energy independence
- Better air quality
- New job opportunities
- Sustainable economic development
The challenges of the ecological transition
The ecological transition in Salina needs to face some challenges, including:
- The high cost of investments
- The opposition of some economic sectors
- The need to change the habits of citizens
The future of the ecological transition in Salina is positive. The pilot project has the potential to make Salina a more sustainable and more liveable island.
The ecological transition is a complex process, but it is necessary to protect the environment and to ensure a better future for future generations.
Cover image– credits: Ghost-in-the-Shell (CC BY 2.0)
