ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The Vatican is becoming increasingly eco-friendly thanks to Acea: the photovoltaic glass coverage at the entrance of the Vatican Museums, Cortile delle Corazze, has been inaugurated, alongside e-mobility charging stations within the Vatican City. These two projects aim to make the Vatican City more sustainable in the context of decarbonization efforts.
“This project aligns with the objectives of the energy transition,” said Cardinal Fernando Vèrgez Alzaga, “the photovoltaic system and charging stations are targeted towards climate neutrality by 2030, and I express my gratitude to the Acea group. For several years, the Governatorate has been committed to the path of energy transition, gradually replacing old vehicles with electric ones, making the new charging stations very important. The current energy landscape necessitates the development of new energies, and renewable sources are the right response.”
The new photovoltaic glass covering of the Cortile delle Corazze at the entrance of the Vatican Museums has been completed in record time, just before the Jubilee. It will generate electricity from renewable sources.
With this project, the Governatorate of the Vatican City State is implementing the guidelines of Pope Francis, outlined in the encyclical “Laudato sì,” and fulfilling international commitments made under the Paris Agreement.
The initiative, accomplished in just six months despite logistical challenges, is part of the program for developing renewable energy systems, optimizing water resources, and promoting electric mobility, created in collaboration with the Acea group.
“This is an incredibly important project, featuring 235 high-performance photovoltaic panels, and with this inauguration, the Vatican becomes increasingly green thanks to Acea,” stated Barbara Marinali, president of Acea. “We will utilize electricity generated from a completely renewable source, furthering our battle to reduce CO2 emissions. I would describe it as a project of renewable beauty for a unique exhibition space in the world, visited by thousands of people.
For us at Acea, this is an extraordinary opportunity to support the artistic and cultural sector. Today we celebrate a unique work of art created through extensive teamwork, a non-stop construction site that operated for six months, involving complex organization, all aimed at making the Vatican City a more sustainable place.” The Acea president also indicated that “this is the first step in a series of initiatives that, together with the Acea group, the Vatican City is preparing to realize for a complete energy transition, aiming for zero emissions within this small yet significant state.”
The systems will significantly support the electricity consumption of the Museums with renewable energy production and will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the Vatican State. In addition to the Cortile delle Corazze, the project includes photovoltaic glass coverage for the storage facility at Vignaccia in the Vatican Gardens, set to be completed by the early months of next year. Overall, the two systems are expected to generate 350 KW of peak photovoltaic capacity for a total annual energy production of approximately 500 MWh.
In the Petriano parking area, 20 “fast” charging points have been inaugurated across 10 stations, as well as 2 “ultra-fast” charging points next to an additional station at the entrance of Aula Paolo VI to promote the spread of electric mobility.
– Photo by Acea Press Office –
(ITALPRESS).
