Agenda 2030, goal 7: accessible and sustainable energy

What are renewable energy sources?

Renewable energy sources are energy sources not subject to depletion, characterised by a reduced environmental impact. For this reason, they play a fundamental role in achieving goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda.

Among the main renewable sources, we find solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy and energy produced from biomass.

Infographic on Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda for clean and affordable energy

How Hydroelectric Energy Works

Hydroelectric energy uses the power of water in motion or conveyed, often in dams: kinetic energy is produced by water falling from great heights or by the force of the water course, and then electricity is produced, thanks to special systems equipped with turbines and alternator.

Wind energy

Wind energy is obtained from the kinetic energy of a moving air mass by means of wind electricity generators (aerogenerators or wind turbines). These structures derive from windmills and consist of a pole and a "rotor" formed by some blades fixed on a hub. The task of these blades is to subtract part of its kinetic energy from the wind and transform it into mechanical energy which, through a generator, is converted into electricity. 

Infographic on what wind energy is for Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is produced  from geological sources of natural heat coming from the deepest layers of the earth's crust. This heat is then transformed into electricity in geothermal plants which allow a fluid carrier (generally water or steam) to rise to the surface and move a turbine. Finally, through an alternator, the mechanical energy produced is transformed into electricity.

Solar energy and photovoltaic systems

Solar energy is obtained from electromagnetic radiation from the sun and is of great importance for achieving goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda.

There are two main technologies that make it possible to transform the sun's energy: solar thermal panels and photovoltaic plants.

The latter play an increasingly important role in the Acea Group's sustainable development strategies to contribute in an increasingly concrete way to the decarbonisation process and to energy transition, thanks to the increase of electric energy produced from green sources. 

Infographic on what solar energy is for Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda

How the energy of the sun is used

Photovoltaic systems use incident solar energy – that is, the one that naturally reaches the surface of the Earth – and are composed of multiple modules formed by photovoltaic cells that receive sunlight and transform it into electricity by means of a semiconductor.

Acea has set itself the goal of significantly increasing its portfolio with approximately 747 MW of installed power from photovoltaic plants by the end of 2024, through the acquisition and construction of new plants. 

Circular economy and biogas production

Biogas is a renewable energy source that is obtained spontaneously from biomass, i.e., the biodegradable part of products from agriculture and related industries, from pruning urban greenery and from the biodegradable part of industrial and urban waste.

These materials, depending on their type, can be used directly or indirectly to produce electricity. The biogas production process is activated with the decomposition of the organic material by some types of bacteria and the subsequent production of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane (methanisation of organic compounds). From biogas, it is possible to produce electricity and thermal energy in a combined way through the aid of an engine (powered by biogas) connected to an electric generator.

The Acea Group is active in the field of circular economy with several plants, including an important hub for the integrated waste treatment in Orvieto and two plants dedicated to composting in Aprilia and Monterotondo Marittimo. In these plants, as well as in others, Acea produces electricity with the use of biogas obtained from the anaerobic digestion process of organic waste. Moreover, the biogas is naturally produced in the anaerobic digestion plants located in the purification plants.

In addition, Acea Ato 2, as an opportunity for water managers in the context of circular economy, has obtained the authorisation for the construction of two plants for upgrading the biogas produced by anaerobic digestion processes of the Roma Nord and Roma Est water treatment plants for the production of biomethane; the product obtained will be almost completely free of substances other than methane (CH4 at about 98%), in particular carbon dioxide, which was present in the original biogas. Its elimination, together with other unwanted substances, takes place by filtration on special selective membranes. The biomethane produced is suitable for being injected into the natural gas distribution network.
In particular, the Acea Ato 2 project envisages, when fully operational, the production of over 2.6 million Sm3 of biomethane per year through a refining process of the biogas available in the two large civil wastewater treatment plants in East Rome and North Rome.

Investing in renewables to contribute to Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda

Producing sustainable energy by contributing to the energy transition is essential for achieving goal number 7 of the 2030 Agenda. Acea participates concretely in this process through investments in renewable energy and the upgrading of existing structures and plants.

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