Co-creation workshop in Quarona with the Italian Minister for the Environment and Energy Security
On Saturday February the 14th H2SCORE held in Quarona a consultation and co-design meeting to illustrate the project and the innovative solutions to be implemented in the Municipality to improve the efficiency of the Valsesia Renewable Energy Community. The morning started with H2SCORE coordinator, prof Marta Gandiglio from Politecnico di Torino, explaining to the audience how Quarona will become a true testing ground for cutting-edge technologies, integrated both electrically and thermally with the local district heating, and operated in synergy to maximize the self-consumption of local renewables – photovoltaic, biomass and hydroelectric – creating a zero-emission energy ecosystem within an energy community.
The local political representatives, including the Mayor of Quarona and President of the Valsesia Mountain Community Mr Francesco Pietrasanta and the Mountain Community’s Councillor for the Environment Mr Luca Chiara, highlighted the great opportunity for the area, with social, environmental and economic benefits.In his speech, “Opportunities of Energy Transition Projects for Territorial Competitiveness,” Italian Minister Mr Pichetto Fratin explained: “Our National Strategy considers hydrogen as a significant contributor to the decarbonisation: the industry and transportation sectors will benefit in particular, but it could also be a positive development for civilian uses by citizens. This initiative emphasizes the strategic role of renewable energy communities integrated with green hydrogen production as concrete tools to accelerate decarbonization. Quarona, as a direct partner in the project, plays a decisive role, and for me it is significant and a source of pride that the Valsesia Mountain Union was chosen to host the experimental infrastructure of the H2SCORE project”.
H2SCORE recognise the importance of involving the local community to support the long term success of the project, and Mr Davide Ceretti, COO of Engreen explained how the partner will coordinate and monitor activities at the Quarona demonstration site, providing expertise in the design and management of renewable energy systems and the operational development of CERs, while also maintaining relationships with the local community and stakeholders. “Our task is to ensure ongoing dialogue, based on transparency and clarity, so that citizens, businesses, and local stakeholders can understand the project and contribute informedly to its development, while also providing the necessary support to technology partners in field activities. This approach is consistent with the very meaning of a CER, which is based on the participation and trust of its members. “The audience showed great interest in the topic and participated to the following discussion, also responding to a survey created to gather the opinions of the local community. The contributions gathered during the workshop will be analyzed by Engreen together with the H2SCORE team and will guide the next phases of the project. Specifically, they will help define the final configuration of the demonstration campaign in Quarona more precisely and plan subsequent information and engagement activities with the local community. ”
