12 billion kWh of electricity and 12 million tonnes of steam produced in the past 20 years, implementing an efficient and sustainable energy model of synergy
with the Radici Chimica plant.
Today, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Novel thermoelectric power plant in Novara, a cogeneration plant that, to date, has produced 12 billion kWh of electricity and 12 million tonnes of steam. The plant is an efficient and sustainable implementation of a technology that provides for both present and future energy and environmental needs. The figures speak for themselves: compared to a conventional system of separate production of energy and heat, the cogeneration of heat and power (CHP) has enabled us to save a considerable amount of fossil fuel and reduce the environmental impact, thus contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations.” Those were the words spoken by Massimiliano Bignami, president of Novel Spa, during the plant's 20th anniversary ceremony, attended by regional and city officials, local stakeholders, employees and the media.
Opening greetings from the regional government were delivered by President of the Piedmont Region Alberto Cirio, who wished to participate virtually in the celebration via a video, in which he thanked the Novel top management and pointed out the importance of a great entrepreneurial enterprise: “The 20th anniversary is very important, as it is a mark of seriousness, commitment, goals achieved and difficulties overcome. Your success and capability to take a look at sustainable sources, steam, when no one was even thinking about that, are a testimony to your ability to know how to look ahead, to have a ‘smart compass’ to orient your investments. Therefore, I thank you and offer the full availability of our region to accompany you along your path. Italy is a complicated but marvellous country, and I believe that – working together – opportunities for wealth, employment and cutting-edge innovative technologies in the energy sector are truly within our reach.”
In his speech, Mayor of the City of Novara Alessandro Canelli, stressed the importance of Novel’s ties to the community: "Novel has operated the cogeneration power plant in Novara for 20 years. The company has focused its attention on environmental sustainability and technology, creating the ideal conditions through the years for the growth of the energy producer and similarly supporting many other businesses operating in the area, starting with Radici Chimica. A far-sighted mission that has been absolutely effective for the community and the companies situated in the industrial zone of our city, perfectly in step with the new needs of the economic and productive world.”
Also present was Councillor for the Environment and Energy of the Piedmont Region Matteo Marnati, who highlighted the themes of technology, regional territory and transition: “It is particularly important for the competitiveness of the regional production base that Piedmont businesses continue to invest in the implementation of increasingly more efficient energy technologies. High efficiency cogeneration is most certainly one of these, since it is a solution also valued for its environmental sustainability profile. Once again, we see that building a network and investing resources must be the road to take for the energy and ecological transition, which, in addition to the environment, cannot neglect the social and economic aspects.”
A driver of growth in the community, Novel Spa thermoelectric power plant is a joint venture between the Alpiq Group (51%) and GeoGreen (49%) that supplies electricity and steam mainly to the Radici Chimica production plant. The partnership is not merely a corporate agreement, but real teamwork: a model of community synergy, efficiency and sustainability. As Massimiliano Bignami remarked: “The thermoelectric power plant is not just an industrial facility, but also a real landmark for our community. We have worked side by side with local authorities and businesses to create synergies that have contributed to the economic and social development of the region. The production of energy and heat has supported local production activities and helped create jobs. This commitment to the community will continue to be our priority in the coming years.”
The company has invested EUR 15 million during the last few years to update and make the plant more efficient. The result has been a drastic reduction in emissions that has earned the company High Efficiency Cogeneration certification according to the highest energy efficiency standards. Moreover, thanks to dry low-NOx (DLN) technology, nitrogen oxide emissions have been cut by 40%. Hence, the investment has been a key step on the energy transition pathway towards the achievement of the 2030 carbon reduction targets. The Novel power plant combines two power generation systems: a gas and a steam cycle, thus allowing thermal and electrical energy to be produced from the same fuel (natural gas). Novel's heat recovery boiler is capable of producing up to 120 tonnes of steam per hour, of which 60/70% is supplied to Radici Chimica and the remainder is used to produce electricity, thus creating a virtuous cycle maximizing the use of resources.
“In our industrial activities, we have always paid attention to the environment, people and local communities,” emphasized Maurizio Radici, vice president of Novel Spa. “Thanks to the synergy and the sharing of visions and values at Novel, we have been able to pursue a state-of-the-art process using advanced technologies by balancing efficient sustainable and long-term growth models. Over the past 20 years, through continual updating of the plant, we have optimized Radici Chimica's production process and drastically reduced the environmental impact, bringing added value to the entire community.”
Twenty years of production. Twenty years of efficiency and sustainability. The Novel power plant features: total electrical power of 104 MW, annual electricity production of 650 GWh, annual steam production of 600,000 tons, NO emissions (monthly average) of 25 mg/Nm3, CO emissions (monthly average) of 2 mg/Nm3 and annual CO2 savings of 30%.
What are the prospects for the future? As a strong driving force for the economic and productive development of the region, the Novel plant looks ahead to the next 20 years with confidence: “We are looking to the future with optimism and determination,” Massimiliano Bignami, president of Novel Spa, explained. “From the beginning, we have made bold choices that have exceeded our expectations and have contributed significantly to the battle against climate change with our new cogeneration plant, a flexible and highly efficient system. Today, we are ready for new challenges, first and foremost, to provide heat to the City of Novara. If the city decides to entrust the management of its district heating to us, we are willing and able to take it on.”
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