62

the biorefinery in Grenada, Spain has created a waste, water and energy loop

The biorefinery operated by Aguas de Granada (EMASAGRA), a public- private partnership between SUEZ and the local authorities in Grenada, Spain, has developed an ambitious environmental strategy that aims to set the new European standard for the circular economy in the field of sanitation.

Its Zero energy, zero waste roadmap aims to make the plant totally energy self-sufficient by 2020 by recovering its effluents and generating surplus energy that will be injected into the local mains network.

In 2016, the site already reach a level of self-sourced energy of 73%, compared with 34% in 2010, by sourcing energy from the production of biogas and building its own electric power plant. At the same time, 100% of the water produced is reused to irrigate the fields surrounding the biorefinery. Finally, the treated sludge is used as agricultural fertiliser, and the grease and sand are transformed into garden compost.

Other projects are being examined, including the construction of a 100 kWh solar energy production plant.