Genesal Energy promotes sustainability in the largest wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the Valencia Region

Three unique generator sets were designed and installed to optimise the purification processes.

Genesal Energy has made a decisive contribution to the ambitious renovation and optimisation project of the Pinedo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), in Valencia. This plant is the largest sewage and wastewater treatment facility in the Valencian Community and one of the largest in Spain. With a total treatment capacity of 324,800 m3/day, it serves more than 1.5 million inhabitants of Valencia and 18 municipalities in its metropolitan area.

Within this modernisation framework, Genesal Energy has designed and supplied three generator sets tailored to the infrastructure that guarantee the continuity of the electricity supply in the event of possible power cuts or voltage variations. This allows the uninterrupted operation of the treatment plant’s equipment and ensures the quality of the service.

The most important improvements are those aimed at increasing the plant’s electricity production to make it self-sufficient.

The project – with an overall budget of more than 34 million € – seeks to transform the Pinedo WWTP into a more energy-efficient infrastructure, reliable in its processes and respectful of the social and environmental surroundings. Renovating technology, reducing environmental impact, and optimising operation.

Genesal Energy has provided the project with a customised solution through the installation of two generator sets in containers (1900 kVA + 1250 kVA) and a soundproofed generator set in a canopy with a power of 900 kVA.

Safety for a key infrastructure

The Pinedo WWTP plant was built in 1981. Back then, the need to harmonise infrastructure with the surroundings was not so important in water treatment projects and technologies.

Lately, the treatment plant has been the subject of complaints from the residents of the Valencian district in which it is located. For years, they have been requesting the closure of the facilities due to the nuisance caused by its operation.

Notwithstanding, the renovation of the WWTP includes innovative measures, such as the updating of the computer system for automation and control of the treatment plant, optimizing and reducing the total energy consumption of the facilities by 8%. In addition, a 1,000-kW solar photovoltaic plant, thermal hydrolysis systems have been implemented to increase biogas production and reduce waste.

Renovating technology, reducing environmental impact, and optimising operation.

In the words of the engineering department ‘these measures seek to minimise the environmental impact and improve the quality of the water treated, consolidating the Pinedo WWTP as a modern, sustainable facility that is in harmony with its surroundings.’

Genesal Energy is proud to have contributed with its experience in distributed energy to such a relevant project, reaffirming its commitment to efficient and reliable energy solutions adapted to the needs of each client.

Our engineering solution

The most important improvements are those aimed at increasing the plant’s electricity production to make it self-sufficient. Namely, increasing the cogeneration capacity to reach an electrical power of 2,660 kW, the transformation of the free space of the installation into a 1,000-kW photovoltaic solar plant and the installation of a thermal hydrolysis system of sludge. This last improvement will increase the production of biogas. Reducing energy consumption and the sludge produced will reduce noise and odours caused by the transport of sludge extracted from the facilities.

Features:

GEN1900YC

• It will feed two different grids through two independent ATS that will monitor each of the grids through intelligent controllers.
• Tailor-made design including a 4.000 litre fuel tank inside the container and power output busbar, according to the needs of the installation.
• Due to the location of the equipment and the saline environment to which it will be exposed, anti-corrosion treatments have been recommended: marinised alternator, alternator anti-condensation resistance and surface paint treatment according to ISO12944 – C5.

GEN1250YC

• Tailor-made design including the ATS integrated inside the container. It will monitor the network via an intelligent controller.
• Tailor-made design for the power output busbar, according to the needs of the installation.
• Due to the location of the equipment and the saline environment to which it will be exposed, anti-corrosion treatments have been recommended: marinised alternator, alternator anti-condensation resistance and surface paint treatment according to ISO12944 – C5.

GEN900YI

• Tailor-made design in soundproofed canopy with top air outlet module and integrated exhaust.
• Customised design for the power output busbar, according to the needs of the installation.
• The ATS will monitor the network via intelligent controller.
• Due to the location of the equipment and the saline environment to which it will be exposed, anti-corrosion treatments have been recommended: marinised alternator, alternator anti-condensation resistance and surface paint treatment according to ISO12944 – C5.