R. ROCKEFELLER S.C.Augusto Innovation HubHomeMILAZZO · SICILY · EUROPEAN UNION
A European technology campus bringing artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, virtual production and advanced geothermal energy together. From the regeneration of Milazzo’s former Montecatini site to its presentation at the Italian Senate.
ROME · 15 SEPTEMBER 2026 · PALAZZO GIUSTINIANI
Augusto Innovation Hub was presented in the historic Sala Zuccari during Le Città del Futuro, an institutional forum dedicated to innovation, artificial intelligence, finance, sustainability and new models of urban development.
The project presentation at Le Città del Futuro, Palazzo Giustiniani, Sala Zuccari, Rome.
Architect Giancarlo Zema, President of Giancarlo Zema Design Group and R. Rockefeller S.C.’s global strategic partner, presented the project’s vision: a Mediterranean campus connecting architecture, advanced technologies and sustainable energy infrastructure.
The forum was held on the initiative of Senator Antonio Salvatore Trevisi. It brought together Italian institutions, academia and the business community, with participants including Senator Roberto Rosso, Hon. Deborah Bergamini, Hon. Chiara Tenerini and Hon. Erica Mazzetti. The event was conceived by Davide Cavalli and moderated by journalist Barbara Gasperini.
Palazzo Giustiniani, one of the historic seats of the Italian Senate, provided an institutional setting for the discussion. The presentation in Sala Zuccari placed the Milazzo programme within a wider conversation about Europe’s technological independence and the future of its cities and productive infrastructure.
THE MILAZZO PROGRAMME
R. Rockefeller S.C. participates as technology and engineering partner for Augusto Innovation Hub, led by President and Founder Fabrizio Crimi. The architectural design is by Giancarlo Zema Design Group.
The programme brings together AI and digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, geothermal AGS and energy infrastructure, and virtual production. Its purpose is to connect research and engineering with practical applications for public institutions, critical infrastructure and industrial clients.
According to the project promoters’ latest update, €100 million has been secured for the initial phase, within a funding framework involving the European Union and the Italian government, with the support of the Sicily Region. The announced plan envisages a structured expansion to €200 million by 2028, with additional private investment expected alongside that programme.
The campus is in development. Its expansion, employment figures and full-capacity configuration are programme targets.
Implementation proceeds through the relevant approvals, public and project-owner funding arrangements, and defined project orders. RRSC’s engineering and technology activities are commissioned and paid for in stages by the project client.
RRSC’s role is the provision and integration of technology, engineering and software capability.
01 · ADVANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
The Milazzo collaboration includes the first Italian pilot within RRSC’s AGS geothermal programme, developed for the Augusto Innovation Hub with RePG as the industrial and technological partner.
The pilot is intended to demonstrate how geothermal energy can support the campus’s data-centre infrastructure and other continuous energy requirements. Its capacity and performance depend on the site investigation, engineering design and the operating conditions validated for the project.
The work connects Milazzo with the main global engineering and Green Energy research centre in Bursa, Türkiye, and with RRSC’s wider international engineering network.
02 · AI & DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY
The AI partnership is directed towards projects with Italian public institutions and European Union programmes, with a focus on strategic sectors and sovereign control of software, data and infrastructure.
Custom software, data architectures and AI systems engineered for the specific requirements of institutional and industrial clients.
Secure data environments, infrastructure supervision and cybersecurity integrated into the technical programme.
Applied research, technical teams and knowledge exchange connected with RRSC’s international AI and engineering centres.
03 · VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
Virtual production is a distinct part of the campus programme, bringing immersive audiovisual environments and digital production together with its wider research and technology ecosystem.
AUGUSTO · PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Fabrizio Crimi leads the Augusto campus initiative in Milazzo, Sicily.
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PROJECT MATERIALS