APCOM

A major energy research partnership focusing on the development of advanced solar technologies between the prestigious MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and the Italian energy company Eni was announced in the last few days

On the basis of the partnership, Eni will also become a Founding member of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) and will support various energy research projects at the Institute. Total funding for the partnership will be 50 million dollars spread over five years, half of which will finance the Eni-MITEI Solar Frontiers Research Program; the remainder will support Eni's entry as Founding Member in MITEI.

The partnership, announced in Cambridge (Massachusetts, Usa), was praised bu the MIT president Susan Hockfield: "Eni's commitment to meeting the world's energy need through new technologies is inspiring, and we are honoured by Eni's confidence in MIT as a partner". Hockfield also stressed the significance of the project: "For a global oil and gas company like Eni to invest in renewable energy options speaks volumes about the urgent need to large scale carbon free energy options like solar".

"This partnership is part of a broader initiative originated in late 2006 with the long term objective of building up a leadership role for Eni in the field of innovation and advanced technologies" added Eni's CEO Paolo Scaroni. "The commitment to develop innovative frontiers in renewables - particularly of solar energy - is an important part of this initiative".