Italy: First electric power plant powered by hydrogen

Power company "Enel" from Italy has put in operation the first electric power plant powered by hydrogen, which will have zero emission of harmful gases.

The power plant is built in Fusina, in industrial zone Porto Margera near Venice.

- Citizens of Venice and surroundings will be the first in the world to obtain energy produced with zero emission of harmful gases - it is stated in the Italian company's announcement. People in the company are of the opinion that the power plant in Fusina is the first plant that "recycles hydrogen".

The power plant of 12 MW will be using hydrogen, which is a by-product of chemical reactions in local petrochemical factories, primarily in factory "Polimeri Evropa", which is owned by "Eni" group. Produced energy - 60m kWh per year - will be sufficient to satisfy the needs of 20,000 families, and it will prevent the emission of over 17,000 tons of carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere.

This power plant is the first facility in "Hydrogen Park" project, which is backed by regional authorities in Venice and Italian Ministry of Environment with 4m EUR.