4.2 Energy Use

Energy Use

Energy and Natural Resources

• No substantial deposits of iron, coal, or oil, and NO nuclear power
• There are moderate natural gas reserves (Po Valley + Adriatic Sea)
• Leading producer of pumice, pozzolana, and feldspar. Also known for marble

Marble Quarries of Northern Italy, Image Courtesy of

The New York Times

Alternative Energy

Important Facts

• National Energy and Climate Plans (2021-2030) : phasing out coal
• National Energy Strategy (NES): highlights the country's commitment toward the climate and clean energy future
  • Goals: reaching 28% share of renewables in total energy consumption by 2030, 55% share of renewables in electricity consumption by 2030, narrowing the energy price gap, furthering sustainable, eco-friendly fuels, and more...
• Working towards lower-emission models, greater research and development, and increased awareness

Image Courtesy of ClimateChangeNews

Renewable Energy Sources

• Hydroelectricity
  • Turbines convert the energy of flowing water into mechanical energy
  • 14th largest producer in the world, plants located in the Alps and Apennines
  • Declined in the 21st energy due to the constant need for more energy
• Solar Power
  • Encouraged initially by Conto Energia incentive: tariffs put toward the investment in solar plants and renewable energy programs
  • 9% of Italy's total electricity consumption being sourced from solar
  • Second only to Germany in the EU
  • 5th in the world for producing energy from solar power

Solar Park in Italy, image courtesy of Renewables Now

• Wind Power 🌬️ 🌬️
  • Turbines capture wind energy to provide mechanical energy for electricity
  • Development is moderate, due to less productivity than solar power
• Geothermal 🌍 ♨️
  • Renewable energy that taps into the heat produced by Earth's core
  • 6th largest producer in the world and growing even more!!
  • Focused around Central Italy, with an emphasis on Pisa
• Bio Energy 🌳 🌲
  • Renewable energy produced from materials derived from biological sources
  • Rising rapidly — even more popular than wind power

Cost of Electricity 💲💲

Italy vs. USA: Energy Edition

• The problem with energy consumption is more serious because fewer resources = extremely high prices to then import
• Houses and stores have fewer appliances
• A greater push toward green, clean energy (incentivizing solar energy) ♻️

• Americans have MANY appliances
  • Winter = heat, Summer = air conditioning
• Greater resistance to green, clean energy — energy industry dominates, harder to change the mindset of people
• BOTH
  • Import more energy than produce
  • Carbon emissions are contributing to global warming
  • Still a need for greater research into alternative energy sources
  • Working toward environmental change at the national/international levels