Question 1

Strategy and Roadmaps

Accepted Answer

Strategia Nazionale Idrogeno Linee Guida Preliminari (https://www.mimit.gov.it/images/stories/documenti/Strategia_Nazionale_Idrogeno_Linee_guida_preliminari_nov20.pdf)(Italian) (Nov 2020)

Question 2

Initiatives, Programs, and Policies

Accepted Answer

Updated November 2024

·         On July 1st, 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) submitted the final updated text of Italy's integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) to the European Commission. This plan outlines the country's strategic approach to energy and climate objectives and considers hydrogen as a key component in the energy transition path of the hard-to-abate and difficult-to-electrify industrial and transport sectors. The updated NECP estimates that the consumption of renewable hydrogen and other RFNBOs will be equal to a total figure of 0.252 million tonnes in Italy, of which 0.115 for industrial use and 0.137 for transport in order to be compliant with the EU consumption targets by 2030. It is also estimated that the domestic production would require the installation of an electrical capacity of about 3 GW of electrolysers by 2030.
·         During 2024, MASE announced the imminent release of two relevant policy building blocks to help to accelerate the implementation of existing hydrogen projects and stimulate new ones to reach the NECP’s targets and to develop plans of action looking beyond 2030:
‒      A decree, currently under development, to define a support mechanism for hydrogen initiatives, aimed at funding green hydrogen production, related to the use in the “hard to abate/electrify” industrial and transport sectors. The mechanism will be financed through national funds, with implementation expected to start in 2025. Within the scope of the aforementioned mechanism, the decree also intends to additionally define the modalities for recognizing the reduction of the electricity network tariff for renewable electricity, taken from the grid to power the plants that produce hydrogen through electrolysis. A public consultation has been launched to actively involve stakeholders in the initiative.
‒      Italy's National Hydrogen Strategy, which focuses on integrating hydrogen into the Country's energy transition path to meet climate goals, taking into account the different decarbonisation instruments. The Strategy goes beyond the previous text of the Ministry, published in 2020 (also known as “The guidelines for hydrogen development in Italy”) which had formed the foundation for national hydrogen policies. In February 2024, MASE established a technical working group for the drafting of the Italian Hydrogen Strategy, also involving various institutional bodies and stakeholders in the process. Italy's National Hydrogen Strategy analyses the potential demand and supply of hydrogen, under different deployment scenarios, also in a medium and long-term perspective (up to 2050). The strategy aims to outline actions to create a robust hydrogen economy, within the definition of a governance and infrastructure framework consistent with the EU policies on the matter. Italy's National Hydrogen Strategy will be presented at the end of November 2024.
·         In May 2024, the competent Ministers of Italy, Germany and Austria signed a declaration of intent for the cooperation in the implementation of the Southern Hydrogen Corridor, one of components of the European Hydrogen Backbone, with the possibility of extending the collaboration to other partner countries wishing to be progressively involved in the project. On the matter, a joint working group was set up among the Parties which met twice in 2024, in Vienna and Rome.
·         Following the reorganization of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, a new division was established in 2024, dealing with alternative carriers, including hydrogen and derivatives, in the Directorate General of Energy Markets and Infrastructures.

Question 3

Research and Development

Accepted Answer

Updated November 2024

In 2024, Italy progressed in hydrogen R&D, targeting efficiency and cost improvements in line with European decarbonization goals. Studies on solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) demonstrated advancements in reducing operational temperatures to around 600°C, improving durability and thermal efficiency, as supported by material research on ceramic composites. Similarly, proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers incorporated lower platinum group metal catalysts, aligning with findings on enhanced membrane electrode assemblies for cost reductions in stationary applications. Solar-driven hydrogen production via electrolysis reduced the levelized cost of hydrogen by leveraging high solar capacity factors using thermal and electrical energies, consistent with trends in renewable hydrogen economics.

Question 4

Demonstration, Deployments, and Workforce Developments

Accepted Answer

Updated November 2024

·         In 2024, Italy has made substantial progress in hydrogen demonstration projects and workforce development. The country is a key participant in the IPCEI Hy2Infra project, a €6.9 billion initiative aimed at enhancing hydrogen infrastructure across Europe, including production, storage, and distribution. Concerning industrial trials in Italy, the collaboration among Snam, Tenaris and Tenova is worth mentioning , which began in July 2024 to test hydrogen fuel use at a steel plant in Dalmine. This project seeks to reduce emissions in steel production and assess the reliability of hydrogen in industrial applications. 
·         In terms of workforce development, Italy is participating in the Green Skills for Hydrogen project, which focuses on addressing the skills gap in the hydrogen economy by offering targeted training to boost industry capabilities. Furthermore, the launch of the H2Excellence training programs in October 2024 aims to equip workers with the skills needed for the growing hydrogen sector (employment projections indicate that Italy will continue to focus on filling the skills gap in the green economy, with efforts to increase female participation in green energy jobs; according to Manpower Group, by 2040, over 50% of direct green jobs in Italy could be held by women, highlighting the role of gender equality in this transformation.) 
·         In 2024, the third edition of the Hydrogen Summer School was held on the topic of "Mastering safety and regulation in the hydrogen value chain" at the ENEA Casaccia Research Centre, close to Rome. This initiative, the earliest at national level, aims to contribute to strengthen skills in the hydrogen sector. It is organized by ENEA, the Italian Association of Chemical Engineering (AIDIC) and the Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials, Environment of Sapienza University (DICMA), with the support of MASE. The Summer school editions were attended by PhD students, researchers and young professionals working in the fields of hydrogen technology development; several speakers from the academic and industrial world participated.

Question 5

Events and Solicitations

Accepted Answer

Updated November 2024

·         Past events in 2024:
‒      Venice Hydrogen Forum 2024.  This event was held in October 2024 in Venice, organized by the Green Hydrogen Organization (GH2) and the Venice Sustainability Foundation (VSF). The event, opened by the Minister of Environment and Energy Security, focused on the Mediterranean's strategic role in hydrogen development, including topics like energy security and infrastructure development. The Forum was CEO and senior executive two-day international meeting focused on strategies for the transport and trade of hydrogen and its derivatives by pipeline and other means, to foster the discussion across the Mediterranean and European actors and develop a conducive environment for future agreements and joint actions.

·         Upcoming events in 2024: nothing to report.

Question 6

Investments and Funding

Accepted Answer

Updated November 2024

In 2024, Italy significantly increased funding for hydrogen and fuel cell development through government and government-industry collaborations. 
In 2024, €550 million (about $580 million) aid scheme was approved by the European Commission to support the adoption of renewable hydrogen in hard to abate industry sector in Italy.
In 2024, MASE completed the allocation of funds for renewable hydrogen production plants in brownfield area, in the context of the Hydrogen Valleys, for a total of €450 million (about $475 million) from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP): these hubs aim to produce renewable hydrogen for industrial and transportation sectors, as well as to revitalize abandoned industrial areas. The majority of these projects are concentrated in southern regions. An additional amount of €90 million is currently being allocated.

Question 7

Regulations, Codes & Standards, and Safety

Accepted Answer

Updated November 2024

The following 2023 information is provided as an update to the last report:
 • Decree of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, n.224, issued on 14 July 2023, concerning Guarantees of Origin (GO), also related to renewable H2;
 • Decree of the Ministry of the Interior 7 July 2023 on the technical rule concerning risk analysis and fire safety for the design, the construction and operation of hydrogen production plants by electrolysis and the pertaining storage systems.

Question 8

Data

Accepted Answer

Nov 2021
 
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July 2020
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

Question 9

Websites

Accepted Answer

Ministry of the Environment(http://www.minambiente.it/)

Question 10

Reports and Publications

Accepted Answer

Ministry of the Environment(http://www.minambiente.it/)

Question 11

Member Statements

Accepted Answer

Last updated Nov 2021
Italian Statement ((undefined)PDF); 36th Steering Committee Meeting; Online; Nov 16-17, 2021
Italian Statement ((undefined)PDF); 33rd Steering Committee Meeting; Online; June 16-19, 2020
Italian Statement (undefined)(PDF); 32nd Steering Committee Meeting; Seoul, Republic of Korea; Octover 21-25, 2019
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/f02386_3ba3ae718df8494eafef4e658ae90ec3.pdf)(PDF);  31st Steering Committee Meeting; Vienna, Austria; April 9-12. 2019
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_fedc0ca910f1490da1815ede886a69a6.pdf)(PDF); 27th Steering Committee Meeting; Hamburg, Germany; April 25-28, 2017
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_1035492be1cc4cfaacdd6495e3b24e59.pdf)(PDF); 23rd Steering Committee Meeting; Wuhan, China; 27-28 May 2015
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_076a67cd46814d6b855bee0ec0253647.pdf)(PDF 5.06MB); 22nd Steering Committee Meeting; Rome, Italy; 2-3 December 2014
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_ebc0aa287f984557b09cb37d9ac06608.pdf)(PDF 937KB); 21st Steering Committee Meeting; Oslo, Norway; 19-21 May 2014
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_a32ad54268444db49c59a6c141f4d3db.pdf)(PDF 1.67MB); 20th Steering Committee Meeting; City of Fukuoka, Japan; 20-21 November 2013
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_ad134e95a4724245a8a278216efde81f.pdf)(PDF 597KB); 18th Steering Committee Meeting; Seville, Spain; 14 November 2012
Italian Press Release: New National Energy Strategy (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_3ec8e8aa2b274f3d825bf79654fda773.pdf)(PDF 214KB); 18th Steering Committee Meeting; Seville, Spain; 14 November 2012
Italian Statement((https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_fb3ae8dfb6b94743a1fb1ba3ec1dc4a0.pdf)PDF 2.19KB); 17th Steering Committee Meeting; Cape Town, South Africa; 3-4 May 2012
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_9158ed3449d143d7a770e73b9ff2f38d.pdf)(1) (PDF 1.16MB); 13th Joint Meeting of the ILC & SC; Essen, Germany; May 2010
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_52aaf31a84e24d20b21c88e55d6504b0.pdf)(2) (PDF 117KB); 13th Joint Meeting of the ILC & SC; Essen, Germany; May 2010
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_dda034cf4270467686aa6459139e1e06.pdf)(PDF 261KB); ILC/SC Joint Meeting; Washington, DC; 1-3 December 2009
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_84a41efed796485e8bc85206738be7d0.pdf)(PDF 67KB); Steering Committee Meeting Sao Paulo, Brazil; 24-25 April 2007
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_2451f97e0c0e4d5aa27eae910a973508.pdf)(PDF 441KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Kyoto, Japan; 14-15 September 2005
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_2e643ef28caf43deb4cf821bcbc7acec.pdf)(PDF 362KB); ILC Committee Meeting; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; March 2005
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_7aa75cf642f542b2980657abc7909251.pdf)(PDF 367KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Paris, France; 26-28 January 2005
Italian Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_c0afcfc798af442dab5dba3b849f0b91.pdf)(PDF 542KB); Steering Committee Meeting; Beijing, China; 26-28 May 2004
Italian Statement; ILC Meeting; Reisensburg, Germany
Ministerial Statement (https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/45185a_9b01022adf0f4ac99ad8e346c9a0a8bf.pdf)(PDF 87KB); IPHE Inaugural Ministerial Meeting; Washington, D.C.; 20 Nov 2003
Contact: Stephen McPhail​ | stephen.mcphail@enea.it

Question 12

Contact

International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy

italy