APCOM

Clean energy to feed the underground. It will happen in Milano, where Atm (the main Milanese transport company) is going to launch a competitive bid for the installation of photovoltaic panels on the 23,000 square metre-roof of Precotto's new depot. Within the end of 2008, the energy produced will feed the underground's red line. The system will allow the production of 2.4 million kWh a year, half of which will be given to Atm: a small amount, considering that transports use 20 million kWh a year.

However, Atm spokesmen promise: "If the experiment is successful, we will extend it to other roofs: we have depots, car parks and buildings". The company that wins the bid will pay for the production technology. The investment calculated for the realisation of the no-impact system is of 5 million euros. Atm will have a 6% saving on its billings. In spite of being a master plan, it is not an isolated project, as the transformation on Precotto's depot is part of a specific plan 'for the energetic saving and the containment of the polluting emissions', which has already identified its targets.

The photovoltaic panels will be installed in other 3 servicing garages (Teodosio, Leoncavallo e Sarca), 22 depots (13 in town and 13 in its surroundings) and 2 offices' buildings. This isn't the only project developed by Atm on the environmental front. Within a few months the Famagosta's underground depot, which is teleheated, will expand from 1,550 kW to 2,000 kW. Last but not least, the number of the company's clean vehicles will be increased.