Breadth of expertise and clarity of purpose, often difficult to combine, come together in Studio Santi an Italian engineering and energy consultancy specialising in sustainable systems and innovation driven solutions. Much like the Renaissance workshops that shaped Italy’s legacy of innovation, Studio Santi thrives on mentorship and shared mastery. Knowledge flows directly from its founding engineers to a new generation of specialists, creating a culture where ideas are tested, refined and brought to life through collaboration. Today, that has evolved into a modern ecosystem of 30 engineers across civil, electrical, mechanical, environmental and digital disciplines. Bound by academic rigour and scientific curiosity, together, they tackle the current sustainability challenges. Locally, this means cutting energy use in data centres and improving airport efficiency. Globally, it means expanding renewable capacity in communities across Africa and beyond. In its 25 years, Studio Santi has supported the development of about 1.2 GW of renewable energy plants and 700 MW/5 GWh of energy storage systems. Over the past two years, its focus in central and southern Italy has included more than 700 MW of photovoltaic and agrivoltaic plants, as well as 400 MW/2 GWh of battery storage projects. But figures alone cannot capture the spirit of the enterprise. What distinguishes Studio Santi is its stance. Projects are treated as personal undertakings and each outcome is a shared achievement. “Working with Studio Santi means experiencing professionalism paired with passion and expertise enriched by humanity. That is why partnerships formed decades ago still thrive today. Trusted to shape low carbon ecosystems, we envision a future of abundance through the union of scientific knowledge and creative application, much like the Renaissance’s flowering of innovation and human potential,” says Professor Federico Santi, CEO and managing director. The Complete Circuit When a potential client meets with Studio Santi, the first question they are asked is not what they need but what they believe in. The firm grounds its mission in what Pope Francis described in Laudato Si’ as integral ecology; the conviction that sustainable development must unite environmental, social, technological and economic progress. This vision is brought to life through rigorous analysis and examination. Clients often arrive with ambitious goals that must be tested against constraints. Studio Santi conducts feasibility studies, energy audits, grid analyses and environmental assessments, each incorporating cost projections and risk analysis to identify obstacles before they derail progress. “We look at projects from a technical, regulatory and financial angle. Only then can a decision be sound. This multidisciplinary view removes uncertainty and allows clients to commit confidently,” explains Santi. Once feasibility is established, design takes shape. Projects are developed from preliminary concepts through detailed engineering in civil, mechanical, electrical and digital systems. Advanced tools, from drone-based site surveys to building information modelling, are used to create digital twins. These virtual models guide procurement, plan construction sequences and lay the groundwork for operations and maintenance. Client teams are trained to use the platforms, ensuring operational independence long after handover. During construction, Studio Santi acts as the owner’s engineer (OE), representing client interests as its own. It supervises construction quality, manages safety protocols and ensures compliance with national regulations and international standards. “We integrate specialist studies that often determine viability. These include geotechnical surveys for foundations, archaeological assessments near heritage sites and agronomy where solar farms meet farmland,” says Francesco Castellani, technical director. “Nothing is peripheral. Every element affects the whole.” This continuity enables clients to move from concept to completion without disruption. After commissioning, Studio Santi’s role shifts to performance optimisation. The digital twins created during design become operational dashboards, displaying real-time sensor data that show asset performance, flag anomalies and identify opportunities for improvement. These platforms support predictive maintenance schedules, adaptive control systems and benchmarking. The result is higher yields, reduced downtime and extended equipment life. Specialised Expertise in Solar and Beyond Specific sectors demand expertise that is not widely available. In solar glare assessment, Studio Santi is a world leader. Using the Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool (SGHAT) developed by Sandia National Laboratories, it conducts glint-and-glare studies that consistently secure regulatory approval. This rare capability enables projects to reconcile solar expansion with operational safety. One example is Aeroporti di Roma. For over a decade, Studio Santi has guided the airport’s energy masterplan and glare assessments for more than 60 MWp of photovoltaic systems along the runways. In January 2025, Fiumicino inaugurated Europe’s largest airport solar farm, a 22 MWp plant with battery storage systems built from reconditioned EV batteries. These systems are expected to eliminate 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.