Italy at a glance: The right natural gas solution for a sustainable energy future

Why is gas power critical to support Italy's energy future?

The most effective way to help ensure power system reliability and energy security is through a mix of generation sources. No single form of power generation is ideal in every situation or economy. For example:

• Wind and solar are variable but consume no fuel and emit no CO2.
  
• Natural gas-fuel generation emits CO2 but is dispatchable (i.e., has output that can be readily controlled between maximum rated capacity or decreased to zero) to help balance supply and demand).
• Hydro power often requires dedicating significant amounts of land area but is zero-carbon, renewable and dispatchable, and can provide long-term, low-cost energy storage.

Gas-fired power plants are available regardless of the time of day or weather conditions, providing dependable capacity as long as needed, whether for minutes, hours, days or weeks at a time. With Italy’s plans to add a substantial amount of renewable energy to its grid, and the phase out of all coal power capacity by 2038, the need for reliable, more sustainable power from gas power plants to balance out intermittent power sources is greater than ever.

Fast, flexible and reliable: The natural gas advantage

Among the reasons for the continued interest in natural gas-fired power plants is their ability to adjust quickly to accommodate both fluctuations in demand and variable renewable energy supply. For instance, an 830-megawatt 9HA.02 GE Vernova combined-cycle power plant producing the amount of electricity equivalent to the electricity required to power ~800,000 EU households can start in less than 45 minutes, ramp up or down at >90 MW/min and turn down to less than 175 MW while maintaining emissions limits. Such agility is essential to balance out variable wind and solar supply levels.

The fact that gas power is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel—releasing up to 60 percent less CO2 than coal and much less than other pollutants—means it helps meet Italy’s decarbonization goal of 65% renewable power generation by 2030. Not only can GE Vernova provide highly efficient gas turbines like the 9HA.02, we also provide upgrades to make our turbines run more efficiently and consequently in a more sustainable way. The 9HA.02 DLN 2.6e combustion system provides tremendous fuel flexibility and is capable of burning up to 50% hydrogen (H2) combined with natural gas fuel.

GE Vernova gas combined cycles can be equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS). CCS can be applied to both new and existing gas power plants to decrease the emission of CO2 over the life of the plant. The CO2 is captured from the exhaust gas of the power plant post-combustion before it can be emitted to the atmosphere, reducing up to 95% of the CO2 emissions of the plant. Learn more about our experience in CCS and in the NTZ Power project.

Gas is the right financial option for Italy’s energy needs

Gas power remains vital because it provides the rapid, dispatchable energy needed to back up intermittent renewables, like wind and solar. It is critical for meeting the surging electricity demands of AI data centers and helping to ensuring baseload grid stability, while emitting significantly less carbon and pollutants than coal.

Another factor driving the demand for new gas power plants is the fact that the up-front capital investment required is lower than for other options per kilowatt of installed capacity. In addition, installing gas power is also a relatively quick process compared to other generation sources: Simple-cycle plants can be built within months and combined-cycle plants can be online in 3 years.

As Italy and the rest of the world navigate the energy transition, we face the dual challenge of addressing climate change while helping to ensure a secure, stable supply of electricity. In this context, gas power remains essential. It provides the affordable baseload power needed for grid stability while offering the flexibility to act as a peaking resource that complements the growth of renewables.

GE Vernova is currently supporting Italy’s energy mix with our Italy GE Vernova Italy headquarters in Milan. Contact GE Vernova today to learn more about enhancing the reliability and efficiency of your gas power plant.

I look forward to working together to build a sustainable future for Italy with the critical support of natural gas power generation!