As photovoltaic energy is making big steps forward in Italy, the problem of inadequate grid is standing out. Given the impressive numbers of installed capacity in recent years, that should overtake 2,500 MW by the end of 2010, the risk of saturation is real, especially in some critical areas. The increasing number of plants, especially large ones, requires adjustment and improvement of the national grid.As discussed during a conference at ZeroEmission, what the country need is the creation of a smart grid. In fact, although from the perspective of demand management, monitoring and coordination of the production the Italian network is among the most advanced in the world, there is still much to be done especially within the energy storage system level, which is pretty weak.

One of the problem that obstructs the improvement of the network is the great amount of connection requests that exceeds the number of projects which will be effectively realized: 150.000 MW of requests upfront of 55.000 MW connected. Following the debate at ZeroEmission, this is an issue that the Authority will need to face soon.

 Read more (in Italian) at: http://qualenergia.it/view.php?id=1070&a…