Entity responsible for the project
Port Authority of Tarragona.
Project description
The Port of Tarragona has implemented an innovative desalination plant at the Rioja dock, marking a significant step towards sustainability and efficient management of water resources. This pilot project, completed in just over four months, has had a total cost of €39,200 and uses advanced reverse osmosis technology with two membranes. The production capacity is 8 cubic meters per day, which will be used for maintenance tasks within the port, such as cleaning roads and the rainwater network, including collectors and scuppers. This decision allows the port to avoid the use of drinking water from the public network for these activities, thus contributing to a more sustainable management of water resources.
Project Objective
The main objective of the project is to improve the management of water resources in the Port of Tarragona, contributing to the sustainability of its operations. The desalination plant will produce enough water to cover the maintenance needs of the port, thus reducing its dependence on fresh water sources. This project is part of the port’s initiatives to promote a more responsible and sustainable management of natural resources, aligning with the global priorities of conservation and efficiency in the use of water.
Expected benefits of innovation
The commissioning of this desalination plant in the Port of Tarragona entails multiple significant benefits. Firstly, it allows the conservation of drinking water, since the desalinated water will be used for maintenance tasks such as cleaning roads and rainwater networks, thus reducing dependence on drinking water for these activities. Secondly, the in-house production of water for maintenance helps to reduce the pressure on freshwater sources, contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact of port operations. This desalination plant not only represents an immediate solution to current water needs, but also sets a model for future water saving and reuse initiatives.
In addition, this desalination plant is 100% sustainable, since the power necessary for its operation is supplied by photovoltaic panels, located in the pump room of the fire protection system of the Rioja Dock. This ensures that the project not only contributes to water sustainability, but also to the energy sustainability of the port.
Initially, it is expected that only by using photovoltaic solar energy will this desalination plant be able to supply the water necessary for the planned maintenance tasks, but if necessary, a maximum production capacity of 56 m³ per week can be reached by complementing the process with electricity.
Images of the desalination plant assembly and its current status:
Project information links
Publication date
July 31st, 2024
