SNAM S . P . A
In terms of technology-driven changes at Snam , he says the key has been de-bottlenecking the value chain of data , from harvesting it in the field , to gaining insights from it and then storing it .
“ The speed of growth of Industry 4.0 technologies like AI and digital twins is exponential ,” he says . “ Our ability to process and store data is incomparable when compared with early 2000 .”
Data is increasingly supporting the way Snam manages its assets ,” Farina continues . “ It is also making our assets intelligent , so that they are increasingly capable of self-diagnostics and self-regulation .”
Thanks to digitlisation , assets in the Snam energy supply chain can even suggest courses of action , based on available data .
“ Although people have the final decision ,” Farina says , “ data is helping us to preserve operational integrity and to optimise emissions and consumption ”.
It is also supporting Snam in its transition away from fossil-based gas to sustainable energy sources , such as biomethane and hydrogen .
Farina adds : “ It ’ s an ambitious multiyear programme , and it needs deep and broad footings to succeed . The ongoing transformation processes comprise 55 staffed projects and planned investment of € 500mn .” He says that although data-harvesting technology is what defines the transformation , the most important factor will always be Snam ’ s people .
“ Paradoxically , thanks to digitalisation and automation , our people are even more at the centre of everything we do . I think that ultimately this is what will truly make the difference .”
He continues : “ Supported by technologies and data , our supply chain colleagues will be able to strengthen the entire value chain , because they ’ ll be better placed to manage tenders , offers and negotiations with our partners .”
Specific ways in which technology is helping Snam streamline and automate its ways of working include a solution built on robotic process automation ( RPA ) - also known as ‘ software robotics ’. This helps it generate shorter vendor lists on tenders , but without the endless hours of clerical spadework .
The RPA solution applies different criteria , such as geo-referencing , analysis of relevant certifications and also of turnover . This cuts down workload in this area from days to minutes . energydigital . com 31