Emissions of polluting substances into the atmosphere come mainly from the processes of combustion. The use of natural gas as the principal energy source by all the businesses of the Group makes it possible to reduce emissions of sulphur oxides and particulates to a minimum.
To reduce nitrgen oxides emissions, the only significant polluting emissions from our activities, some existing turbines have been retrofitted and new ones have been installed with low-emission combustion systems. Specifically, in 2009, two compressor units were converted to low-emission at the compressor stations at Melizzano (BN) and Sergnano (CR) and a new low-emission unit went operational in the compressor station at Malborghetto (UD).
During 2009, total nitrogen oxide emissions were about 1,350 tonnes, of which about 820 tonnes were from transportation and regasification activities (-27% compared to 2008). This reduction can be attributed both to a decrease in activity, and to continued actions implemented to upgrade the fleet of turbines in the compressor stations.
NOx EMISSIONS (%)
NOx EMISSIONS (t)
Atmospheric emissions were determined by direct measurement or if not available, using emissions factors in the reference literature (United States Environmental Protection Agency and the CORINAIR project - COoRdination INformation AIR ).