BMC presents its zero-emission desalination project to the Balearic Government
BMC presents its zero-emission desalination project to the Balearic Government
Pedro Suasi, Managing Director of Balearic Marine Cluster, took advantage of the meeting with Joan Calafat, Director General of Water Resources, to explore whether it is possible to improve the project to better align it with the needs of the citizens and institutions of the Balearic Islands.
Pedro Suasi, Managing Director of Balearic Marine Cluster, along with representatives of the marinas involved in the project, met this Tuesday with Joan Calafat, Director General of Water Resources of the Balearic Government, to present the project “Blue Marinas: Zero-Emission Desalination Plants for Circular Water Use.”
This project is based on a technical feasibility study in collaboration with the main marinas in the Balearic Islands to install and use individual zero-emission desalination units for washing boats. The main goal is to find a circular solution for the by-product of desalination: brine.
As Suasi explained, “This study will support the decision-making process of the marinas in an objective and rational way, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their opportunities and threats. In addition, the necessary resources to carry out the project will be determined and, ultimately, its chances of success will be evaluated against other possible alternatives, such as the use of reclaimed water for washing boats. The aim is for the water used by marinas to be 100% circular.”
Suasi also highlighted that the meeting “helped determine whether our project is in line with the actions that the Balearic Government wants to pursue regarding the management of the islands’ water resources. At Balearic Marine Cluster, we explained that this project not only has broad support from institutions and associations, but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to improve water quality, reduce pollution, and promote a more efficient use of this scarce resource.”
This project was submitted by Balearic Marine Cluster to the grant call for funding innovative projects through cooperation, with the objective of developing, implementing, and digitalising sustainable innovative solutions in tourist establishments in the Balearic Islands. It is funded by the EU through the Next Generation EU programme.
Among the supporting and collaborating entities are: Club de Mar, Alcudiamar, Port Adriano, Marina Botafoc, Marina Port de Mallorca, Marina Palma Cuarentena, Marina Ibiza, Marina Port Ibiza, Marina Port Mahón, and Astilleros de Mallorca.
The project has also received letters of support from: the Directorate General of Water Resources, the Balearic Port Authority, ADR Balears, the University of the Balearic Islands, the Balearic Association of Nautical Installations, the Association of Yacht Clubs of the Balearic Islands, Fanmed, Alcudiamar, Ocibar, Marina Palma Cuarentena, Marina Port de Mallorca, Club de Mar, Marina Ibiza, Astilleros de Mallorca, and Garau Ingenieros.
Also present at the meeting were Lucía Mingot, Head of the Innovation and Sustainability Commission at Balearic Marine Cluster and Director of Quality and Innovation at Astilleros de Mallorca, representing Astilleros de Mallorca, and Pilar Moyà, Deputy Director of Marina Port de Mallorca.
The Project
The water circularity project for yacht washing aims to carry out a technical feasibility study in collaboration with the main marinas in the Balearic Islands for the installation and use of individual desalination units for boat washdown.
The steps followed by Balearic Marine Cluster include: meetings with the involved marinas to evaluate specific needs, identify constraints, and analyse economic factors. On the other hand, the project focuses on researching and analysing equipment to support the study of available desalination options on the market for future implementation.
Additionally, a resource analysis is being conducted to assess the energy needs of the desalination systems and propose renewable energy alternatives to minimise the carbon footprint. A waste analysis will also be carried out to determine the quantity of waste generated and propose circular alternatives within the marina.