The international research project MAESTRALE, coordinated by the University of Siena and co-financed by the European Union Regional Development Fund under the Interreg MED program, aims to broaden the knowledge and awareness among citizens and institutions on the potential of "blue energy”, The sources of marine energy deriving from wave motion, tides, currents and salinity and temperature gradients together with other alternative forms of energy linked to the use of off-shore wind and the use of aquatic biomass, such as for example algae, identifying the best solutions.
The main activities include the creation of the so-called in each of the participating countries Blue Energy Lab, laboratories that will create 20 pilot projects, suitably assessed from the point of view of concrete economic feasibility and environmental sustainability, involving local businesses, institutions, and citizens and in order to plan a marine energy development policy.
With the second regional meeting of the project, Isola del Giglio has applied for Italian laboratory. At the meeting, which lays the foundations for the feasibility check for the implementation of a first pilot project, thanks to the collaboration of the municipal administration and the existence of a memorandum of understanding signed with the Tuscany Region in 2015 precisely for the development of renewables on the island, Acquedotto del Fiora, Sie srl, Terna Plus, La Sapienza University, National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago took part.
The island of Giglio has shown itself to be sensitive and attentive to the feasibility project with serious and qualified interlocutors, able to support the University in the operational phase. The latter hopes to be able to return in a short time the positive indications it has received by inserting them in a feasibility study that will provide data on the conditions necessary for the plant to function, an economic plan, technological means required, degree of environmental sustainability and acceptance. by civil society.
