Communiqué - Renewable energy community "Cornflower" in memory of Stefano Terranova

In memory of Stefano Terranova

Stefano Terranova is an 18-year-old boy from Sant’Angelo di Brolo (Me), full of life, friendships and plans, until that morning of May 3, 2013 in which a sudden illness at school marked the beginning of a tragedy. Urgently admitted to a hospital in Lombardy and operated on for a cavernous angioma in his brainstem, Stephen seemed to be on the road to recovery; unfortunately, unexpected complications precipitated the situation, and after an ordeal of more than 20 days and for causes unrelated to the illness for which he had been hospitalized, the sad ending of the June 2, 2013.

Her story, told in the book “Cornflower – Dying at 18 “in the hospital’” by Maria Azzurra Ridolfo, highlighted a series of mistakes unforgivable by the medical facilities that treated him, factors that caused his “hospital” death. In the face of this absurd loss, the Terranova family has not remained silent: they have been fighting, fighting for justice.

The realization of the Cornflower Committee which anticipates the now imminent establishment of the Cornflower Foundation of Stephen Terranova, was created with the aim of helping the weakest and those with difficulties but especially young people.

Among the many initiatives already undertaken in memory of Stefano Terranova, we would like to mention two projects that embody the spirit of accessibility and community that he loved. The first is the public Wi-Fi network project implemented in the municipality of Sant’Angelo di Brolo: a concrete sign of connection and inclusion that Stefano envisioned. The second is the “Music Con-Te-ST” music contest, now in its several editions, dedicated to emerging talent and creative sharing – a living tribute to his passion for music and the value of collective participation.

Today, 12 years later, the memory of Stephen is more alive than ever. Each Nov. 6, the day on which we would have celebrated his birthday, we renew our commitment to turn grief into something positive and lasting. We firmly believe that the people we have loved and lost. “they are no longer where they were, but they are wherever we are and, more importantly, in what we do.”. It is in what we do that Stephen lives on: in the actions taken in his name, in the projects that carry on his ideals, and in the good we sow in the community.

From sorrow to hope: the vision of Cornflower

The Terranova family, led by Tindaro Terranova (Stefano’s father and president of TMR S.r.l.) together with his loved ones, has chosen to channel their suffering into another project that generates hope. This is not a token philanthropic gesture, but a genuine commitment directly inspired by Stephen’s values and benevolent thinking. Since the first days after his passing, we have felt strongly the desire to do good, to prevent its light from being extinguished by injustice. This inner drive led us to create initiatives that could have a concrete and positive impact on the world around us, in line with what Stephen would have wanted.

Over the years, through the Cornflower Committee and other activities, we have fought for its history to become a an engine of change – not only in the field of health care (denouncing the malpractice so that certain mistakes do not happen again), but also by promoting a culture of solidarity and social responsibility. Every project undertaken has been a way of saying: “Stephen is here with us, in the good things we do.”. Out of pain, therefore, a mission was born: To turn memory into positive action, to make this world a little better in his name.

The birth of the Energy Community “Cornflower”

With this spirit of hope and innovation, we announce the birth of the Renewable Energy Community “Cornflower”. This is a project that combines our family experience in sustainable technologies with a desire to do good for the local community. The choice of the name Cornflower is not accidental: it bears the name of the wildflower so dear to Stephen’s memory and already a symbol of the committee dedicated to him. This humble and resilient flower embodies the beauty that can be born even from pain, a simple but tenacious beauty that endures and flourishes again. We want Cornflower represents just that: from the most difficult experience of our lives to germinate an initiative that will bear fruit in solidarity, sustainability and shared progress.

As the cornflower blooms wildly in the fields, so our Energy Community wants to flourish in the social fabric, bringing clean energy and concrete benefits to as many people as possible.

The project was born within TMR S.r.l., the Terranova family business that has been a pioneer in sustainable technological innovation for more than two decades, with a mission to “improve people’s lives through solutions in harmony with the environment”. TMR has already promoted cutting-edge initiatives-from smart mobility to green energy management-and in particular, with the program EnAudit Energy, encourages the creation of energy communities for more efficient and renewable energy management. On the strength of this vision, TMR provides technical know-how and organizational support for Cornflower.

Alongside us is. SIAPA Ltd., a historic partner of TMR, whose patron Antonino Sirna Grilleri-a fraternal friend of Tindaro Terranova-has always shared our ideals. This alliance stems from solid human relationships and common values: together, family and friends, we combine skills and resources because Cornflower can grow and deliver on its promises. We will work in synergy with local institutions, businesses and citizens to ensure that this energy community becomes a model of virtuous collaboration in the area.

What Renewable Energy Communities are and what they do.

A Renewable Energy Community (REC) is a group of individuals, households, businesses, or local governments who decide to come together to produce and share clean energy. In practice, members network the energy generated by their facilities (e.g., photovoltaic panels) and use it collectively, optimizing consumption, reducing costs, and increasing energy self-sufficiency for all. This is a new way of experiencing energy: no longer as an individual good to be purchased passively, but as a common resource to be managed together, in a spirit of collaboration.

The benefits of being part of an ERC like Cornflower are many and tangible:

• Savings and economic benefits: shared energy provides significant savings on utility bills for all participants while offering access to incentives and subsidized rates. What we offer is renewable energy at a fair cost, a concrete relief for the families and entities involved.

• Clean energy and environmental sustainability: all energy produced comes from renewable sources (sun, wind, etc.), helping to reduce environmental impact and CO₂ emissions. Every kilowatt-hour shared is a step forward in the fighting climate change and an investment in a greener future for our earth.

• Community and solidarity: Cornflower is not just a technical project, but a social. In participating, a strong sense of community and belonging is developed: neighbors, friends and partners learn to work together for the common good, sharing not only energy but also knowledge, experience and mutual support. This coming together creates supportive networks that can help the most fragile and strengthen the local social fabric.

• Innovation and culture of change: Joining Cornflower also means embracing an innovative vision. Through intelligent monitoring and management technologies, we will demonstrate how it is possible to Rethinking the way we consume energy, making it more efficient and humane. We want to educate and raise awareness in the community about the importance of energy conservation and sustainability so that the benefits are not only immediate but lasting, generating cultural change.

Also, Cornflower pledges to allocate the fruits to socially beneficial activities. Should the community generate significant surpluses or savings, these will be used to help those in need or to support worthy local projects. In this way, surplus energy will be transformed into concrete solidarity: energy bills paid for needy families, contributions to schools or care centers, investment in additional community initiatives. Every extra watt produced will be, symbolically, a gesture of love in Stephen’s memory.

Our commitment and promise

The inauguration of the Cornflower Energy Community on Stephen’s birthday is more than a symbolic milestone for us: it is the beginning of a new chapter of civic commitment and love of neighbor. On this solemn but sober occasion, the Newfoundland family, together with the partners and all those who believe in the project, reaffirms its absolute dedication. We are committed to carrying out Cornflower with transparency, responsibility and passion, guided by the values Stephen taught us by his example of goodness and TMR’s mission to combine innovation with respect for humanity and the environment.

We promise to listen to the community, to grow with it, adapting to the needs that emerge. Cornflower will be a living, evolving organism: a project open to all who wish to contribute, a sustainability workshop Where every member has a voice. We want everyone who joins Cornflower to feel not only a beneficiary, but active protagonist of this change: because the greatest energy comes from people united by a common purpose.

In a world in urgent need of positive examples, the Cornflower Energy Community aspires to be a beacon of hope. There could be no better way to honor Stephen: instead of fading into grief, his memory illuminates new paths. Cornflower is Stephen who continues to operate among us, transforming her absence into concrete presence through the good that will flourish from this initiative. We are convinced that, thanks to Cornflower, “the memory of One will truly become a reminder and benefit for One Hundred Thousand.”.

With gratitude to all those who have believed in us and with the emotion of this moment, we declare our intentions: uniting innovation and solidarity, technology and humanity, to build together a more just, sustainable and shared future. This is our vow, this is our promise – and we renew it today in Stephen’s name, so that his smile will continue to shine through every kilowatt-hour of clean energy, every gesture of mutual aid, every cornflower we see blooming on our path.

The Terranova Family and the founders of the Cornflower Energy Community.

For information about the community and membership, send an email to fiordaliso@tmr.cloud.