Presentation hold during EIP Water Conference in Porto, as part of the Porto Water Innovation Week in Session 2 “Innovations for implementing EU water legislation”

1. WATER INNOVATION: BRIDGING GAPS,
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
27 AND 28 SEPTEMBER 2017
ALFÂNDEGA PORTO CONGRESS CENTRE
INNOVATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING EU WATER
LEGISLATION
WASTEWATER – SOURCE OF BIOENERGY AND CLEAN
WATER: THE ALL-GAS AND INCOVER DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS
EVA MARTINEZ
FCC AQUALIA

2. Wastewater – source of bioenergy and clean
water
Challenges to innovation when applying legislation
EVA MARTINEZ DIAZ
AQUALIA
EIP PORTO, 27/09/2017

3. From wastewater to bioenergy
Demonstrate on large scale the sustainable production of bio-fuels
based on low-cost microalgae cultures using municipal wastewater.
All-gas project specific objectives:
 Low cost culture medium
 recycling N, P and C in WW
 Low cost, simple and robust designs
 Combine algae growth+ Anaerobic
digestion for Biomethane
 Design sustainable process

4. From wastewater to bioenergy
Technical requirements known…
Microalgae
CO2
Bio-
fertilizers
Biofuels
Reusable WW
WW rich
in C, N and P
O2
Bacteria
No arable
Land: unused
salt ponds

5. Basic
research
Pilot plant
200 m2
Prototype
1000 m2
Pre-Demo
DEMO 2 Ha
From wastewater to bioenergy
2017
Phase I
20142011
2010
2016
Scale up!!! Phase II

6. From wastewater to bioenergy
New developments…where to look for permits?
Institutions involved
•Department of Coasts,
Environment Agency
(Government of
Andalusia, in Cádiz).
•Department of Fish and
Agriculture , Environment
Agency (Government of
Andalusia, in Cádiz).
•Coast Authorities
(Government of Spain).
•National Park authorities
•Municipality
ALL-GAS includes four subjects:
Aquaculture, Coasts (3 administrations), Water and Environmental Protection
No direct correspondence in current legal framework.

7. Factors that
determine the
process
Is it marine
culture or
aquaculture?
Is it Reuse of
water?
¿What defines our
activity?
- The product obtained
Or
- The tools and
technologies we use for it. Most of the algae in the
raceways are adapted to
brackish water rich in nutrients.
Since the microalgae reduce the
load of N and P discharged by
the WWTP…is this reuse of
water or an enlargement of the
WWTP.? Is it an industrial
culture? Has it environmental
use?
From wastewater to bioenergy
New developments… many doubts

8. Environmental Impact Consultation
Marine culture
Authorization
Authorization of Easement Zone
Utilization
Authorization of Activities in public ownership of
the shoreline (DPMT)
September 2013: Starting cultivation
From wastewater to bioenergy
New developments…licence procedures
• 4 years and 12 applications and formalities to obtain all licenses throughout the life of
the Project (Phase I and II).
• Analysis of regulations about Coasts, Marine Aquaculture and Water. Exhaustive review of
principles, basis and joint applications.
Plus….
Authorization for works

9. WWTP
ALL-GAS
Better quality of the
water discharged to
the river
Production of biogas
for vehicles
Parámetro
Carga Contaminante
Reducción
Actual Futura
Materia orgánica (COT) 130,33 97,37 -25%
Nitrógeno total 332,35 166,18 -50%
Fósforo total 11,90 7,74 -35%
Unidades kg/día kg/día
From wastewater to bioenergy
Additional benefits
10,000 m3/d plant (10 ha):
> 2.000.000 Km/yr
10 ha for 50 000 PE
10 cars / ha
(5 kg CH4/100 km
20,000 km/yr)

10. R&D PROJECT
More than treating
wastewater
New applications
for microalgae
New value chains!
ENVIRONMENT
Reduction of emissions.
Improves water and air
quality
ECONOMICAL
DEVELOPMENT
Production of
biogas for vehicles
TOURISM
Compliance with
quality
requirements of
beaches
INFRASTRUCURE
AND SERVICES
Mutual benefits between
the WWTP and the
culture.
From wastewater to bioenergy.
If the regulations do not let the project develop…

11. From wastewater to bioenergy and bioplastics
New products… many doubts

12. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR IMAGINATION
Please take a ride in
the worlds first
algae driven car