Waste management and renewable energies, key to sustainable development
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the energy transition represents a progressive shift to replace fossil fuel energy generation with a mix of renewable and local energy with zero greenhouse gas emissions. It is a shift towards a sustainable economy, and aligns with the mission and vision of Envolta Energia. Reducing these CO2 emissions is key to mitigating their effects on climate change, as well as improving energy efficiency, sustainable development, and the transition to a circular economy. In general, the impact of the energy transition goes beyond the environment, as it affects almost all aspects of society.
Law 16/2017 on climate change, approved by the Parliament of Catalonia and the National Pact for the Energy Transition, proposes to reach 27% of energy consumption with renewables by 2030 in the territory. With the motivation of achieving energy goals in Catalonia, Envolta Energia actively participates in public and municipal projects such as the one we present today. This is the photovoltaic installation at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the municipalities of Castell-Platja d’Aro, Santa Cristina d’Aro and Sant Feliu de Guíxols that has been active for a couple of years now. Undoubtedly, one of the great successful projects that make us proud.
Continuing with the challenges of sustainability, the management and purification of wastewater is a priority in order to meet the water consumption that currently exists and continues to grow among society. It is essential to treat used and dirty water so that it can return to the water cycle and thus be reused for different applications. Wastewater from the sewerage network arrives at these facilities, and through various physical, chemical and/or biological processes, the water goes through treatment, is cleaned and separated from possible polluting solids, sludge of organic matter or different microorganisms. The aforementioned water treatment technologies require high energy consumption, as well as the use of electricity and heat, which is intended to be covered with 100% renewable sources. In recent years, new systems and processes have also been developed to sanitize wastewater with greater energy efficiency and high performance, also reducing energy consumption.
That is why today it is time to emphasize our high-power photovoltaic plant for the operation, maintenance and conservation of sanitation systems in the municipal WWTP of Castell d’Aro. In 2021, Envolta Energia carried out the engineering, execution, commissioning and legalization of the installation of more than 200 solar panels of 400 Wp each, which translates into 82.4 kWp of installed power. The solar energy generation plant for self-consumption occupies a total area of 714 m2, and its design has taken into account the annual energy consumption of the WWTP, solar irradiation according to geographical location, the orientation of the panels, the climate, the available surface, and the visual and environmental aspect. With the aim of reducing emissions, in this case Agbar has reduced approximately 53,750 kg of CO2 emissions each year, equivalent to almost 6 laps of the earth in a combustion car.
The photovoltaic installation in the WWTP is an excellent example of how renewable energy can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint and improving sustainability in wastewater management. In addition, this project demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve real and meaningful change towards a more sustainable future.
Thanks to this investment, 120MWh per year has been generated and will be used to supply energy to the water treatment plant, with a capacity to treat 4,600.00 m3/year (4.6 hm3). Taking into account an average electricity price of €0.2 per kWh, the project produces savings for the customer of approximately €24,000 per year. These public investments by the Costa Brava Water Consortium in Girona are committed to transforming wastewater treatment plants into recovery and resource generation centres, thus promoting the objectives of the energy transition through the application of the circular economy to the sanitation system.
At Envolta Energia, in 2023 we will continue to actively participate in the energy transition, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability, the preservation of the environment, and self-consumption with renewable energies with the aim of achieving a zero energy balance.
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