The Rome-Fiumicino Airport will decarbonize by integrating second-life batteries into an energy storage system.

The Pioneer project (airPort sustaInability secONd lifE battEry stoRage) was developed by Enel and ADR (Aeroporti di Roma) with the scientific contribution of the German research institute Fraunhofer at Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport.

The project is the largest energy storage system using hybrid second-life batteries in Italy. The technology of the storage system will integrate second-life batteries from three different automotive brands and enable the abatement of 16,000 tons of CO2 over 10 years. The project will also integrate heterogeneous batteries from Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis.

Loccioni, a benchmark system integrator in the energy and automotive worlds, has transformed 762 battery packs and modules that can no longer be used in powertrains into a 10-MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). 

The system is fully integrated with “Solar Farm,” the largest self-consumption photovoltaic system in a European airport. The system was designed by Aeroporti di Roma, built by Enel in conjunction with Circet and commissioned in January 2025.

“The Pioneer project represents a concrete example of our strategy, because it brings together our strong commitment to environmental sustainability, the ability to enhance technological innovation and the determination to effectively work as a system with the country’s excellences, such as Enel,” said Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, in a statement. “This new project will be integrated synergistically with the recently inaugurated Solar Farm, within the ESG strategy supported by the parent company Mundys, and which positions the starred Fiumicino airport, a hub for passengers and goods, also as a platform for energy efficiency and independence. We are therefore consolidating our path towards decarbonization and energy autonomy of our airports, with the aim of reaching net zero by 2030.”