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Contributed by Tenerife Weekly
The Cabildo de Tenerife, the governing body of the island of Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, has introduced the ‘Greenland’ initiative aimed at fostering innovation in renewable energy through a pioneering photovoltaic system for the coverage of waste discharge cells within the Tenerife Environmental Complex.
This endeavor is spearheaded by the Cabildo in collaboration with the Technological Institute of Renewable Energies (Iter) and falls under the projects authorized by the Governing Committee of the Insular Corporation alongside the NIVARY UTE, which oversees waste management on the island.
The project aims to develop and validate an innovative photovoltaic system specifically tailored for waste discharge cells, as stated by the council in a release.
With a total investment of 1.1 million euros, this venture aspires not only to curtail CO2 emissions but also to position itself as an international benchmark in energy optimization and environmental sustainability for waste facilities.
The Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability and Safety and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, emphasizes that “the renewal of the waste contract with NIVARY UTE has enabled numerous research and innovation initiatives with an investment totaling 10 million euros.”
She adds that “this will not only enhance management but also create jobs related to the circular economy. The ‘Greenland’ initiative exemplifies how research, development, and innovation can revolutionize waste management and energy utilization in favor of sustainability, aiding not just in achieving Tenerife’s environmental goals but also contributing to global progress in renewable energy technologies.”
The Minister of Innovation, Research and Development, Juan José Martínez, states that Iter is “at the forefront” of this project, which integrates advanced technology for solar energy utilization within the Environmental Complex of Tenerife.
Collaboration between councils
“This initiative illustrates collaboration and cross-functionality among the councils of the Cabildo, aimed at identifying more sustainable solutions while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions,” he remarks.
Meanwhile, the insular waste director, Alejandro Molawny, clarifies that the project addresses the challenges linked to the installation of photovoltaic systems on complex terrains such as discharge cells.
“We are developing advanced solutions that focus on researching innovative materials, panels, and structures capable of adapting to uneven landscapes and optimizing energy efficiency across limited areas,” he notes.
He believes that “the project ensures protection for geomembrane and the stability of discharge cells, integrating technologies that safeguard the environment and the safety of the system, as well as optimizing energy design with advanced storage solutions that maximize the utilization of generated energy.”
The ‘Greenland’ project encompasses the implementation of an energy integration model for self-consumption with storage, designed to satisfy not only the immediate needs of the Tenerife Environmental Complex but also to serve as a foundation for future expansions within other sections of the installation.
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