Snam and Microsoft consolidate their partnership for the digital evolution of energy networks thanks to the cloud and the Internet of Things (IOT)
The two companies, following the memorandum of understanding signed in 2019, have begun to develop together a “hybrid cloud” infrastructure that will allow Snam to leverage greater data processing capacity and the IoT to manage its network in an increasingly efficient and flexible manner, with benefits both in terms of reliability and security and in terms of energy transition. The synergy will create, by next autumn, a digital architecture capable of delivering certain services from the cloud, including commercial applications serving gas system users, and act as a platform for the integration of IoT, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems that will make Snam’s infrastructure network increasingly intelligent. The transition to the hybrid cloud, for which Snam will use Azure, will make it possible to acquire, process and exploit a greater amount of data, making it possible, for example, to perform predictive maintenance operations and forecast energy demand analysis with neural networks.
Digitisation is one of the pillars of the SnamTec programme for innovation and energy transition, on which Snam is investing €1.4 billion as part of a plan from a total of €6.5 billion to 2023. The programme includes initiatives aimed both at increasing the efficiency of the company’s traditional activities – with the objective of cutting direct and indirect methane and CO2 emissions by 40% by 2025 and 2030 respectively – and at boosting the new energy efficiency, biomethane, hydrogen and sustainable mobility businesses.
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Snam and Microsoft for the sustainable development of energy networks
“The digitisation of our infrastructure is essential to make Snam a key player in the energy transition, enabling it to contribute to a new model of sustainable development for the benefit of all stakeholders and the territories in which it operates. This is why technological innovation is one of the pillars of SnamTec, the project in which we will invest 1.4 billion by 2023 to build the energy company of the future. The collaboration with Microsoft and the development of cloud technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, combined with the skills of our people, are key elements of this evolution of Snam”, said Claudio Farina, Executive Vice President Digital Transformation & Technology at Snam.
“Environmental sustainability is now an imperative and we all need to collaborate in the search for new forms of energy, new infrastructures, new mobility models and new greener processes. Cloud Computing, IoT and Artificial Intelligence are extraordinary enablers, because only after modernising the infrastructure and digitising the systems can the energy transition and the transition to clean energy be made. We have a common commitment to sustainability and we are proud to work together with one of Europe’s leading energy companies on this challenging project that is as challenging as it is necessary for the country’s future. We are sure that through even more sophisticated network management for Snam it will be possible not only to seize the opportunities linked to the evolution of the energy system, but at the same time to contribute to the sustainable development of our cities and communities”, commented Barbara Cominelli, COO and Marketing and Operations Lead Microsoft Italia.
Snam
Snam is one of the world’s leading energy infrastructure companies and one of the largest listed Italian companies by capitalisation. Through its international subsidiaries, it operates in Albania, Austria, China, the United Arab Emirates, France, Greece and the United Kingdom. First in Europe for natural gas transmission network and storage capacity, the company is also one of the main operators in regasification. As part of a plan from €6.5 billion to 2023, Snam is investing €1.4 billion in the SnamTec project aimed at innovation and development of new businesses in the energy transition, from sustainable mobility to biomethane and energy efficiency. Snam also aims to enable and promote the development of hydrogen to promote the decarbonisation of the energy sector and industry. The company’s business model is based on sustainable growth, transparency, the enhancement of talent and diversity, and the protection and social development of territories through the Snam Foundation. More information on Snam is available here.
Microsoft
Microsoft enables organizations to realize their digital transformation projects with new innovation scenarios, such as Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence. The company’s mission is to support people and organizations around the world to achieve more, through technology and digital. More information about Microsoft is available here.