A step toward sustainable development through renewable energy solutions: A case of Italy

Abstract

From the sustainable development viewpoint, renewable energy conversion technologies play a crucial role in ensuring energy security, limiting the rising global atmospheric temperature, energy access to all, food security, and economic development of the society. This study presents the case of Italy that utilizes renewable energy technologies for its sustainability. A few technologies were developed and demonstrated in different regions of the county to explore the available renewable energy sources' potential in an
economical manner. Advancements in RE technologies favorable policy initiatives led the country to be among the top renewable energy-driven courtiers in the world. Presently, renewable energy sources contribute approximately 37% in the overall energy consumption of Italy. Decentralized renewable energy conversion technologies were identified based on the available potential of the renewable energy sources and demonstration systems were installed. Implementation of an energy mix of solar PV of 135 kW; a mini-hydro plant of 400 kW and garbage driven biogassystem was proposed that expected to lead to the production of 200 million kWh of electricity, savings of 8 million cubic meters of methane in a period of 10 years. Eventually, the reduction in CO₂ was expected to be around 168 million cubic meters per year. There are a few other demonstrations presented in this paper, which reduced dependency on fossil fuel significantly by utilizing the region-specific renewable energy resources. Such initiatives may assist in ensuring sustainable development not only in countries like Italy but in many other countries around the globe.