Small-Wind Supply Chain in Parma -- Italy, not Ohio

John Colm and Matteo Rossi, engineer at Tecnopali.  The firm is moving into solar and wind applications for its monopole products.

In Parma, Italy I visited an innovative manufacturer of monopole  towers for uses in electricity transmission, street lighting, and other uses.  The firm, Tecnopali, uses modern design to create architectural products that go beyond the norm in urban applications. 

Tecnopali is also leading a partnership of about 10 other firms and the University of Parma, all located in the same Italian region, to develop an innovative small wind turbine (up to 200 kw) but 30% more efficient than current off the shelf designs. Most of the turbine components are made within a 20 minute train ride.

The partnership is applying for funding from the Region Emilia Romagna to advance their work on the small turbine and hopes to hear in October if the application has been accepted.

Tecnopali develops its own machinery to fabricate the monopoles, and developed and manufactured the solar panels as well.  If they bring the same inventiveness to the wind turbine project, there is no doubt we'll see an innovative, efficient "green product" within a few years.

Parma is both a city and a province about 90 minutes west of Bologna.  It's part of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, which is the heart of Italy's manufacturing.