Despite the energy transition's
efforts, "oil dominance is destined to last a long time," said
Davide Tabarelli, founder and president of Nomisma energia.
Tabarelli addressed a series of meetings commemorating the Tal
group's 60th anniversary. Tal manages the Transalpine Pipeline
(753 km), which supplies oil to Austria (90%), Germany (100%),
and the Czech Republic (50%).
For Tabarelli, there are many announcements about initiatives
for the energy transition but "demand for oil will remain high
for a long time," partly because many initiatives are "hindered
by oil companies." However, there are many positive examples
such as the transformation of refineries into "biorefineries,
done by Eni in Marghera and Gela, and soon in Livorno." However,
if the "system of 'pipes' in Italy is among the best in the
world" considering also the energy infrastructure that travels
from 'Africa to Italy, one commitment to maintain is to "try to
make hydrogen." These, biofuels, electrification (but "we have
to make electricity to electrify"), are viable alternatives that
need to be developed. Keeping well in mind that "oil has an
energy density that no other product has and is easily
transportable," and this is a dominant factor. "The amount of
energy that is in a liter of gasoline is 12 kilowatt hours,"
reported Tabarelli, who also pointed to the nuclear option
against which there is widespread distrust. However, "You don't
want nuclear power? Then keep your cell phone on only during the
day and when it's sunny," Tabarelli cautioned referring to the
limits of solar power.
During the meeting an environmentalist protested by displaying a
banner and was immediately removed. "Young people," Tabarelli
commented, "feel this tension strongly but the transition,
precisely, is not easy.
He was echoed by Sole 24 Ore journalist Sissi Bellomo:
"Electric vehicles will save us 12 million barrels of oil a day
by 2035," but "plastics will still be widespread."
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