Minding the Gaps of Electrification in Italy

May 11, 2021

In order to keep fostering the energy transition, Enel Foundation developed “Mind the Gaps”, a Digital Live Tour that aims to address the gap between secondary and academic education and Italy’s just energy transition. In collaboration with Enel X and EnSiEL, the program is built as a roadshow across Italian regions and will run during May 11-18th, actively involving thousands of students from universities and high schools.

The core of the project - that involves experts, Enel X management, students and academics - are the findings of Electrify Italy, a study carried out by Enel Foundation, Politecnico di Torino and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The research focuses on Italy’s current energy paradigm, analyzing and exploring possible pathways for a deeper penetration of electricity in the country and the spread of renewable energy.

The initiative means to raise awareness on the social, technological and economic benefits that might come from electrification, to offer the opportunity to update and integrate current educational programs on this issue, and to actively engage youth. The Tour thus becomes a platform of discussion between students, academics and professionals of the energy sector, giving them a real and interactive chance to raise and answer questions while fostering intergenerational conversations.

The Tour will unfold as a digital roadshow across Italian regions over the course of three days, for a total of 12 (6 for high schools and 6 for universities) sessions of 90 minutes each. Sessions will include presentations of the study Electrify Italy, discussions of Enel X case studies and challenges.

The students that will participate are invited to put forward proposals and solutions to reduce the educational gap. The ideas that will be discussed will be sent to the editorial staff of Educazione Digitale, supporting partner of the initiative, and in October 2021 the three best proposals will be awarded.