In particular, the submissions were evaluated according to the RIO guidelines, which considered their relevance, interest, and originality. The selected projects focus on the energy transition in crucial sectors such as industrial policies, energy, finance, and hard-to-decarbonize industries (Hard to Abate).

The expectation is that these projects will improve the understanding of complex issues and foster consensus on challenging topics, introducing innovative concepts capable of influencing professional thinking and practices. During the Forum, the selected papers, already listed in the program, will be presented at the delegates' conference in the "Road Maps to Net Zero" theater, while the projects will be exhibited in the prestigious "Project X Change" theater attended by visitors and delegates. Many of the chosen and cutting-edge initiatives to be showcased during the "Project X Change" Conference are Italian.

One example is the project by NEWCLEO, which is revolutionizing nuclear energy with Small Modular Reactors (SMR) - small lead-cooled modular reactors of the fourth generation. This technology addresses crucial challenges such as safety, costs, and nuclear waste disposal, paving the way for safer, cleaner, and more economical nuclear energy worldwide. (Project partners: Assystem, ENEA, Enel, Fincantieri, France 2030, Ingérop, MAIRE, NEWCLEO, Onet Technologies, RINA, Walter Tosto).

Other Italian initiatives include ENI's Agri Feedstock program and the Ravenna CSS carbon capture project, a collaboration between ENI and Snam. Agri Feedstock is a vertically integrated model of vegetable oil production for the supply of Eni's biorefineries, assigning the agricultural phase to farmers across Africa while Eni processes their vegetables into oil at two Agri Hubs located in Kenya. This initiative has so far improved the economic prospects of 80,000 smallholders and produced 7,000 tons of biomass for coal replacement (ENI, ENI Kenya). (set)