innovation
research and development
Edison views research, development and technological innovation
activities as essential tools to win the global challenges.
The world in which we operate today and the climate-change
challenges that we are facing are leading companies in the energy
sector to focus their attention on environmental protection and
technological progress, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, increasing energy efficiency and expanding the use of
renewable sources.
Against this background, sustainable development represents a
competitive opportunity in which companies can bring to bear their
competencies in terms of innovation. Sustainability is the common
thread that runs through all of Edison’s research and
development activities: from renewable sources to increasing energy
efficiency (both at the production and end-user levels), from the
development of technologies with a low environmental impact to the
study of advanced materials, carried out with processes that are
relevant across the entire spectrum of energy issues.
Work in these areas includes different types of research projects,
such as technology monitoring, assessment of new technologies,
implementation of customized solutions and development of
proprietary technologies.
The technologies currently being studied include: fuel cells for
stationary applications, heat pumps, advanced photovoltaic systems
(concentration and solar thermodynamic systems), micro-cogeneration
systems, CO2 capture systems and many more.
Research activities are carried out at the Trofarello (TO) Research
Center, in Italy. Projects handled by the Center include studies of
photovoltaic technologies, testing of sophisticated equipment and
development of Edison’s proprietary technologies for the
production of superconducting components.
Over the years, Edison’s Research and Development Department
established a network of collaborative relationships with major
public and private-sector organizations engaged in energy-related
research. These organizations include the Milan Polytechnic, the
Turin Polytechnic, the Environment Park (Scientific and Technology
Park for the Environment – Turin), CNR-IENI in Lecco, the
INGV (National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology), INOA
(National Institution of Applied Optics), CRPO (Plast-Optics
Research Center), ENEA (National Agency for New Technologies,
Energy and Sustainable Development) and, at the international
level, EDF’s R&D Department, EIfER (European Institute
for Energy Research – Karlsruhe), Ecleer (European Energy
Efficiency Research Center, which involves the Federal Polytechnic
in Lausanne and the Ecole des Mines in Paris).
related document
Our History
Edison is the oldest Italian Company in the energy sector and one of the oldest in the world.
Values and philosophy
Our values are our soul. We find them in every action we take.
They define what we are and how we behave. They are at the centre
of our work. They our flag. They are our most profound
convictions.
