Tag Archive for: Greenesal

Innovation for a sustainable future

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Only through innovation will it be possible to reduce CO2, improve energy efficiency and alleviate pressure on natural resources.

María Teresa Costa i Campi, Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Barcelona.

In this world where climate change and environmental degradation are critical issues, technological innovation must take on a leading role in sustainable development. Without the convergence between technology and sustainability, it won’t be possible to tackle the environmental and social challenges of the current climate crisis.

The role of technology in society

Technology has always been a driving force in human progress, transforming the economy and helping to improve the standards of life. However, this progress has entailed significant environmental impacts: from air and water pollution to unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. The flip of the coin is that technological innovation has been part of the problem and must become an essential part of the solution.

Technology has to foster more sustainable practices, namely: the development of clean energy, the creation of more efficient products or the implementation of less polluting practices. Innovation is at the core of this strategy, searching for new ways of meeting the needs of today’s society without compromising the health of the planet.

Sustainable fuels: the backbone of the energy future

The transition to sustainable fuels is one of the pivotal elements in the fight against climate change because, although great progress is being made in the field of renewable energies, it is not possible to fully electrify all sectors. It is therefore essential to explore and develop sustainable fuel alternatives which can reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Hydrobiodiesel, or HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), is one of these alternatives. It is produced from vegetable oils and animal fats and, unlike conventional biodiesel, it is obtained through a hydrogenation process, resulting in a cleaner fuel with better combustion properties. HVO significantly reduces CO2, NOx and particulate emissions compared to fossil diesel, and is compatible with existing distribution infrastructure and current diesel engines. In addition, HVO has a similar energy density to conventional diesel, making it a practical and efficient option for transport and other energy applications.

On the other hand, within gaseous-fuels sector, Hydrogen (H2) holds another great promise. When used in fuel cells, this gas can produce electricity with water as the only by-product, making it a zero-emission solution. In addition, it is also possible to produce hydrogen in a sustainable way by electrolysis of water using renewable energy. If this is the case, no CO2 emissions are produced, and the product obtained is known as “green hydrogen”. The adoption of hydrogen as a fuel can significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of sectors which are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transport, aviation and industry.

Also Biogas, which is a mixture of gases produced by the decomposition of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This gas is mainly composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2); and its production from agricultural residues, manure, organic waste and wastewater not only provides a renewable energy source, but also helps to make waste management more efficient. Biogas can be purified to obtain biomethane, which has similar properties to natural gas and can be used in the existing gas grid.

Energy efficiency: advanced management systems

To maximise the benefits of any energy source, whether renewable or non-renewable, it is crucial to implement advanced energy-management systems. These systems make it possible to monitor, control and optimise energy use in different sectors. Improving efficiency and reducing consumption leads to reduced emissions.

There are a number of ways to improve the efficiency of energy systems, including the application of management algorithms. These allow energy production and consumption to be dynamically adjusted according to supply and demand. E.g. In solar or wind farms, such algorithms can forecast energy availability and adapt production accordingly, optimising performance.

In the current context, where the aim is to insert renewable energies into the electricity grid, the combination of management algorithms & energy storage systems is truly relevant. This type of energy being intermittent by nature prevents any kind of control over its availability but storage systems, such as batteries, can capture excess energy when it is available and release it when needed. Unfortunately, batteries cannot manage it efficiently on their own. Management algorithms allow them to streamline storage and optimise its operation based not only on energy demand, but also on system conditions.

Also, one of the pillars of the energy transition is the rise of micro-grids and smart grids, where various distributed energy sources, small-scale storage systems and consumer sources are integrated. Although it is not easy to manage all these elements in an efficient and coordinated manner, advances in control algorithms facilitate this task, making it possible to improve the stability and reliability of grids.

AI: Sustainability engine

Artificial Intelligence is transforming our approach to environmental challenges by offering innovative and efficient solutions to reduce the environmental impact of industrial operations. Its application to predictive maintenance extends the lifetime of equipment, reduces waste and optimises resource consumption.

Predictive maintenance consists of supervising the operation of equipment using real-time monitoring techniques, data analysis and AI to detect problems before they occur. It guarantees that the necessary actions are taken when they are needed, reducing labour & parts costs and downtime as well as increasing operator availability.

Firstly, there is a reduction in emissions generated by transport during maintenance by minimising unnecessary servicing and thus the number of trips operators have to make. In addition, significant energy savings are achieved by keeping equipment in optimal working condition, avoiding the excessive consumption that is often caused by faulty or poorly maintained equipment.

Another key point is the optimisation of the materials’ costs. Identifying and correcting potential faults before they become major problems, make repairs simpler and less costly. E.g. Detecting a faulty engine-oil filter and replacing it is a simple and inexpensive task that, if not addressed in time, can lead to engine overheating and more serious and costly repairs.

Finally, predictive maintenance contributes significantly to reducing the amount of waste generated. Prolonging the lifetime of equipment and avoiding catastrophic failures that might require complete replacements reduces the amount of waste produced, promoting more sustainable and responsible resource management.

Genesal Energy: committed to sustainable innovation

Genesal Energy firmly believes that technology and innovation play a pivotal role in the energy transition towards a more sustainable future. We participate, often in collaboration with various public and private institutions, in the development of new technologies that help fight climate change. Not only are we committed to efficiency in all our products, but we are also constantly working to improve distributed generation systems so that they can operate with sustainable fuels. E.g. Our HVO, hydrogen and biogas projects or OGGY, our own intelligent energy storage and management system which allows us to optimise all our energy flows, both generation and consumption.

We are also willing to innovate in our own production processes. This is why we integrate sustainable practices at the heart of our operations through initiatives such as the installation of a photovoltaic façade or the reuse of energy in our premises. 

We are proof that is possible to balance economic growth and environmental sustainability. Leading the way towards a greener and more responsible energy future.

A Fair Energy Transition for All: tackling energy poverty.

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Completion of the Energy Transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources has been widely recognised by the international scientific community as a crucial objective in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

However, on this path we must not lose sight of a fundamental aspect when talking about energy: the so-called ‘energy trilemma’, this is, the search for a balance between the 3 fundamental factors of energy policy developed below:

  • Security: Supply must be stable and able to meet current and future demand.
  • Environmental protection: There must be a shift towards energy sources with lower environmental impact and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Energy equity: Energy access must be affordable and fair for all, including the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

What does this mean? It means that in addition to being sustainable and resilient, the energy transition must be inclusive and fair for all, in other words, it must effectively address the energy poverty issue.

 

Understanding energy poverty

Defining the term energy poverty is not that straightforward. It is not just ‘not being able to pay bills’, but a multi-faceted problem that prevents households from achieving a minimum level of domestic, essential energy services. Examples range from lack of access to modern energy sources, inefficiently insulated housing to insufficient heating and cooling systems that do not meet basic needs. All these leading to prohibitively high energy costs. Depending on the degree of poverty experienced, the consequences can affect people’s well-being & health and effective participation in society.

The intersection between energy transition and energy poverty

e intersection between energy transition and energy poverty
The Energy transition can become a powerful tool in tackling energy poverty. Nevertheless, it is also necessary to work on the unique challenges that arise and that would allow to improve the situation, namely:

  • Equity and universal access: One of the main objectives of the energy transition, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, is to ensure that everyone have access to affordable and sustainable energy sources. This target was set considering the current global context where more than 700 million people still live without any access to electricity, limiting their ability to achieve a decent standard of living. In this sense, the energy transition must go beyond the simple replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energies; the change must address the structural inequalities that perpetuate the lack of access to energy.
  • Cost. While Renewables and sustainable fuels are experiencing cost reductions, there are still significant economic barriers to their widespread adoption. For example, replacing a combustion engine vehicle with an electric vehicle, or simply purchasing a fuel with lower emissions, requires substantial financial resources that may be beyond the reach of households and communities with limited income. It is therefore crucial to develop innovative financing mechanisms and incentive programmes to make transition-related energies more accessible to all.
  • Economic restructuring: The energy transition also poses challenges in relation to the economic and employment system. As we decrease dependence on fossil fuels and move towards a decarbonised economy, certain sectors such as the coal or oil industry are likely to experience declines in demand and production. This could mean losses of thousands of jobs. Measures to retrain workers for emerging clean energy jobs are essential if the transition process is to be carried out in a fair and equitable manner.
  • Climate justice and community participation: These are the two principles that must drive the energy transition. Communities affected not only by energy poverty but also by the negative impacts of conventional energy systems must have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives and environment. A fair transition strategy should include the promotion of neutral spaces for dialogue and collaboration that facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences and perspectives. Members of affected communities, civil society, experts, political representatives and businesspeople shall be able to discuss and seek solutions together.

 

Summarising, the energy transition represents a crucial point in the fight against climate change and energy poverty. As we move towards a more sustainable future, it is essential to comprehensively address the challenges that arise along the way to ensure universal energy access, reduce the costs of sustainable energy solutions, provide equitable employment opportunities and encourage active citizen participation. In doing so, we will be one step closer to building a decarbonised and sustainable future for all.

What is the carbon border adjustment mechanism and why is it so controversial?

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  • The EU proposes to apply a tariff on imported carbon-intensive products.

  • The measure (CBAM) will be implemented in two phases, will come into force in 2026 and will initially apply to imports in sectors such as cement, hydrogen and electricity.

As part of the fight against climate change, the European Union (EU) has launched what it considers to be one of the key instruments within the European Green Pact: The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, also known as CBAM. It is an essential part of the “Fit for 55” measures package, a set of proposals to revise and update EU legislation to ensure that the EU’s intermediate target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030 is met.

This proposal has already been described as “bold, complicated and controversial” and several countries have already expressed concerns about its implementation. The measure will undoubtedly disrupt trade relations between the EU and its partners, but let’s look at exactly what it is.

The CBAM is intended to be implemented in parallel to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to counter the so-called ‘carbon-leakage’. Based on the “cap-and-trade” principle, the ETS sets a price on carbon and, each year, industries covered by the ETS must buy allowances corresponding to their GHG emissions. These allowances are limited, and each year the limit is lowered with the aim of creating financial incentives for companies to reduce their emissions.

Risk of carbon-leakage

The issue is that this could lead to what is known as carbon leakage: although some companies, which production processes are high in GHG emissions, are allocated free allowances to support their competitiveness, these will be progressively phased out, raising the risk that they may consider moving their production to other countries outside the EU in order to avoid the increased costs associated with the ETS, importing products at a more advantageous price to the detriment of the environment.  

This is where the CBAM applies. This is a tariff on carbon-intensive products imported to the EU to balance by equalising the carbon price of imports with the carbon price of EU products. The phasing out of the free allocation of allowances under the ETS will take place in parallel with the introduction of the CBAM mechanism, ensuring coherence between climate objectives and trade policy.

The CBAM will be implemented in two phases, so that before the entry into operation of the final version, there will be a transitional period with the following objectives:

  • To serve as a learning curve for importers, producers and the authorities involved.
  • To allow the collection of info
     rmation on GHG emissions to help refine the methodologies for calculating these emissions.
  • Align the price of carbon produced in the EU with that of imported goods.

This first transitional period will run from 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2025, and initially applies only to imports from the sectors most at risk of carbon leakage: cement, iron/steel, aluminium, hydrogen, fertilisers and electricity (although it has already been agreed that this will be extended to more products, such as chemicals and polymers). The specific goods that are affected by CBAM are detailed in Annexes I and II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1773, where the CN codes for all affected materials are listed.

In addition, the obligations arising from the importation of these goods are also set out:

  1. Register in the transitional CBAM Register, which allows communication between all parties to the mechanism (European Commission, competent and customs authorities, traders and reporting companies).
  2. Submit CBAM reports on a quarterly basis. Importers of goods (or their indirect customs representatives) are responsible for reporting the GHG emissions implicit in their imports. The report must be submitted no later than one month after the end of the quarter, and emissions calculations can be made in 3 ways:
    1. Using default reference values published by the European Commission. This method can only be used to report 100% of the implied emissions until July 2024; it can be used for the remaining transitional period to report up to 20% of the implied emissions.
    2. Using an equivalent methodology that considers either a carbon pricing system, a mandatory emissions monitoring system, or a monitoring system that may include verification by an accredited third party (always where the installation is located). This method may be used for imports until December 2024.
    3. Using the new methodology provided by the EU. It may be applied throughout the transitional period.

No payment or financial adjustment will be required during this first phase.

Once the mechanism fully enters into force on 1 January 2026, importers will be obliged to purchase the corresponding CBAM certificates. It should be noted that this mechanism is not a tax to be paid on import, but that the purchase of the certificates must be acquired prior to the importation of the products subject to CBAM. If the importer can prove that a carbon price has already been paid during the production of the imported goods, this amount can be deducted from the corresponding amount to be redeemed at CBAM.

Subsequently, by 31 May each year at the latest, the importer or his representative must submit an annual report, stating the goods imported in the previous calendar year and their corresponding emissions, as well as the number of CBAM certificates purchased for that year.

Antía Míguez, Technologist at Genesal Energy

Energy transition and decarbonisation, an opportunity to seek sustainable industrial models.

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One of humanity’s greatest challenges is the fight against climate change, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions need to reach a ceiling as soon as possible, but this implies carrying out a process of decarbonisation of current socio-economic systems and “transitioning” towards new efficient models in the use of resources, from raw materials to energy fluxes, based on clean and competitive energies. Genesal Energy is well aware of this.

How to perform the transition?

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is not enough to replace current energy infrastructures, dependent on fossil fuels, with other renewable and sustainable ones. It is also necessary to implement energy efficiency measures which allow more than just reducing consumption. As is often said colloquially, “the best energy is the energy that is not consumed”.

In this context, the industrial sector must play an active role in the process of change. Genesal Energy is doing so: We have launched OGGY (Off Grid Genesal energY), our own energy management system that allows real-time monitoring of both production and energy consumption, deciding at all times what to do with these flows to make the most efficient use of them: store them in the battery system, consume them at the company’s facilities, discharge them into the grid or a combination of the previous options.


This system consists of three main blocks (Figure 1):

  • The OGGY is capable of controlling different sources of energy generation, including the conventional electricity grid. In the specific case of the application at Genesal Energy, the sources are the following:
    • Two photovoltaic building façades on our HQ warehouses (Illustration 2), which occupy a surface area of 111 m2. They are made up of 93 units of the latest generation crystal-silicon photovoltaic glass, with seven different sizes to suit the design of the original façade. In total, the installed power is 13.1kWp, which allows for a generation of 11 000 kWh per year. These panels are not installed on top of the old façade, they are integrated into it, allowing for better thermal insulation of the buildings.

    • This means that we haven’t just focused on renewable self-consumption, but it has also been possible to reduce cooling needs by up to 50% reducing the air conditioning of the buildings. This installation alone – not mentioning the rest of the energy system – is going to avoid the emission of 245 tonnes of CO2 in 35 years, the equivalent of a saving of 661 barrels of oil per square metre.
    • In addition to the façades, 126 photovoltaic panels with an output of 57.33 kW have also been installed on the roof of the company’s warehouses. These panels save more than 20 tonnes of CO2 per year.
    • Testing of generators at the company’s facilities. All generators sold by Genesal Energy are tested at its facilities before being sent to the customer. This allows us to offer a top-quality warranty, but it also means consumption of fossil fuel. In accordance with the principles set out by the circular economy, the company has decided to reuse this energy by reintroducing it back into the value chain. The OGGY stores a percentage of the energy generated in these tests.
    • Although the amount of energy generated in the facilities Genesal Energy could make us self-sufficient, we have maintained the connection to the conventional electricity grid in case of system failures.
  • The core, and the most important part, is the energy management algorithm or EMS, which is responsible for controlling all energy fluxes. This energy system continuously analyses the status of generation, storage and consumption in order to determine the system’s working profile at any given moment.
    In addition, it considers variables external to the system, such as the weather forecast (to predict what the energy generated by the photovoltaic installation will be) or the price of electricity in real time (deciding whether to feed the energy into the grid or store it in the battery system).

The integration between the OGGY system and the generating sources is performed through MODBUS, an open communication protocol used to transmit information through serial networks between different electronic devices. This is essential for the system to be able to properly manage all the fluxes and where they are directed to.

As for the storage system, it consists of a rack of lithium batteries with a total power of 92 kWh, grouped into 14 modules.

  • Finally, there are the energy consumption points. In the case of Genesal Energy, these are the ones in the factory itself and the offices.

 

All Genesal’s actions, research and projects developed in the sustainability field are based on the absolute conviction that we are doing the right thing. The industrial sector must understand the processes of ecological transition and decarbonisation as opportunities to promote its own transformation towards sustainable models. Comprehensive energy management systems such as OGGY are key to this new scenario.

Antía Míguez, technologist at Genesal Energy

Is HVO this the fuel of the future?

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Hydrogenated vegetable oil is making its way into the market due to its numerous properties and is one of the paths towards the energy transition.

Electricity is by no means the main form of energy used, nor is it easy to bring electrification to all sectors, and although it is true that the advance of renewable sources is remarkable, these days 80% of the world’s primary energy demand is still based on fossil fuels. An issue, not only because of the high levels of emissions and their consequences on climate change, but also because of the finite nature of these fuels.

Genesal Energy is very aware that it is urgent to find new sustainable fuels for those sectors where electrification is not going to happen overnight. HVO enters the scene, which in recent years has been positioning itself as one of the main alternatives to diesel. We give you all the keys to this new fuel.

What is HVO?

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a second-generation biofuel. Although it has the words “vegetable oil” in its name, it can be produced from a variety of vegetable and non-vegetable sources:

  • Used vegetable cooking oil (UCO, Used Cooking Oil).
  • Waste animal fat.
  • Tall oil, a by-product of wood pulp manufacture.
  • Non-food grade vegetable oils (rapeseed, soybean and palm).

On their own, these oils are not effective fuels. However, through a process known as hydrotreating, it is possible to convert the fats in these oils into hydrocarbons almost identical to conventional diesel.

Is it the same as biodiesel?

No, biodiesel and HVO are different fuels. While both are based on triglycerides from vegetable oils and animal fats, biodiesel is made by esterification: the oily source is treated with an alcohol, usually methanol, and a catalyst. This produces glycerine and a fuel made from fatty acid methyl esters or FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester).

On the other hand, to obtain HVO, the oils are subjected to a hydrotreating process. Simply put, hydrogen is used to remove oxygen from the oil at high temperatures, splitting the fat molecules into separate chains of hydrocarbon molecules. The result is a stable fuel comparable to fossil diesel in both form and performance, making HVO superior to biodiesel as an alternative to fossil fuel.

What are the advantages of using HVO?

They include the following:

 

 

  • -If waste oils are used as source, and produced relatively locally, the use of HVO can result in a reduction of CO2e emissions by up to 90%.
  • When burning HVO, emissions of carbon monoxide (COx) and other polluting particles are lower.
  • Its service life is long: up to ten times longer than diesel.
  • Its performance is maintained even at extreme temperatures (-30°C).
  • It has good chemical characteristics. It is aromatic, low density, with a very high cetane number and no sulphur. In addition, its calorific value, and therefore its energy content, is higher than that of biodiesel.
  • Unlike biodiesel, which needs to be blended with conventional diesel to work properly, HVO is a direct fuel, which can be completely replaced in most diesel units.
  • Also in comparison, biodiesel is prone to degradation and needs very specific planning for storage. Only a single oil tank is needed to store HVO. In fact, conventional diesel tanks can be filled with HVO, and vice versa, so that if, for example, we are running on HVO, but it runs out and it is impossible to procure it quickly enough, we can switch back to diesel.

Different brands in the combustion engines and distributed energy worlds have already started to echo the benefits of HVO, certifying that their products are compatible with this biofuel.

For example, several companies have declared that all their Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines are compatible with the use of HVO.

Is HVO sustainable?

Speaking of sustainability we must pay attention not only to its properties, but also to its entire value chain. Are the source and production relatively local? Regarding the origin of the source, are only waste oils used, or do they also include, for example, oil crops? Have changes in land use been necessary to make such crops available? If we look at the whole picture, to speak of a 100% HVO we need to be sure that it is produced from a source derived from real waste and that environmental and social criteria are respected along the whole value chain.

And another question arises: If we have available an HVO that we know is not 100% sustainable… Is it better to use it or to continue using fossil diesel? Do we look for an alternative, such as another type of biofuel or even a synthetic fuel? These are difficult questions to answer that depend on many factors.

The Greenesal Scale

In order to facilitate decision making on the choice and use of fuels, Genesal Energy has created the “Greenesal Sustainability Assessment Scale for Fuels”.

It is a tool that will allow us to evaluate the sustainability of fuels, so that it is not only easier to choose between the different options available, but it will also provide a clear idea of the real impact of each one of them.  In addition, the tool will fairly weight factors related to the three spheres of the sustainable development:

  • Environmental sphere: raw material origin, GHG emissions, soil organic carbon, eutrophication, acidification, energy balance, biodiversity.
  • Economic sphere: capital costs, operational costs.
  • Social sphere: land rights, issues related to working conditions, relationship with local communities.

In this way, not only will it be possible to distinguish between different types of fuel, but it will also be possible to know which has a greater positive impact on the search for a sustainable future.

 

Sustainability. What it really is?

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Over the last few years, the terms sustainability and sustainable development have been on everyone’s lips. Sustainable vehicles, sustainable fuels, sustainable fashion, sustainable food products… but do you really know what these concepts mean?

What is sustainability?

The concept of sustainable development was first recorded 36 years ago, with the publication in 1987 of the Brundtland Report for the United Nations, entitled “Our Common Future”. It warned of the negative environmental consequences of excessive industrialisation, economic development and globalisation, and proposed sustainability strategies centred around 3 main strategic lines:

  • Quality and sustainable economic growth to alleviate poverty.
  • Improving the quality of this economic growth, addressing issues such as energy supply, food security and the preservation of ecosystems.
  • Care for the environment, which should become a fundamental element in the decision-making process of institutions, organisations and companies.

In addition, the report focused for the first time on social, economic and environmental issues and how they relate to each other. It also clearly defined what is meant by sustainable development: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

The 3 pillars of sustainable development

Sustainability is still understood in the same way today, with the emphasis still being placed on the need to find an integrated balance between the social, environmental and economic spheres to speak of truly sustainable development:

Social justice.

It seeks the well-being of all people and communities. We all need to have our basic needs covered: jobs, healthcare, food and energy security, water supply or access to good education, among others. Furthermore, these issues must be addressed in a way that considers and respects the cultural and social diversity of each community and ensures that there are no situations of injustice or discrimination of any kind, promoting the role of all members of society in determining their future.

Economic viability.

It pursues a new business model that generates wealth in a sustainable way. The productive system must satisfy social needs while ensuring that neither natural resources nor the well-being of future generations is put at risk. In other words, the economic approach must integrate the needs of the population and environmental limits to promote responsible balance in the long term.

Environmental protection.

In order to find a model that allows us to exploit resources without depleting them, contributing to their recovery for future use, and to make progress in the fight against climate change, it is necessary to apply environmental protection measures that, at the same time, consider the needs of the population and the economic means available where they are to be applied.

How to achieve sustainability? The 2030 Agenda

Once the concept of sustainability was defined, the next challenge was to figure out how to achieve it. The concept needed to be crystallised into concrete policies that would provide a stable framework for action; this led to the emergence of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Agenda was adopted in September 2015 by the 193 UN Member States as an ambitious roadmap to achieve sustainable development by 2030 by ending poverty, protecting the planet and improving the lives and prospects of people around the world. It is composed of 17 SDGs, which are further subdivided into 169 targets and 232 indicators.

This is not the first initiative in favour of sustainable development; in fact, the SDGs are a continuation of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015), which at the time constituted the first international confluence to tackle global problems. While it is true that not all the targets set by the MDGs were met, there were important advances that were extended through the 2030 Agenda, such as the realisation of the need to work collaboratively. Only through partnerships and the active involvement of people, companies, administrations and countries around the world will it be possible to achieve the SDGs.

In terms of its central axes, the 2030 Agenda is built around what are already known as the 5Ps:

1- People

End poverty in all its forms and ensure that all people can fulfil their potential with dignity and equality in a healthy environment.

2- Planet

Protect the planet’s natural resources through sustainable consumption, production and management, and combat climate change, to ensure a decent environment for future generations.

3- Prosperity

To ensure that everyone can enjoy a prosperous and fulfilling life, and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.

4- Peace

Foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies free from fear and violence.

5- Participation

Implement the Agenda through strong global partnerships, based on solidarity and focused on the needs of the most vulnerable.

Innovation and energy transition, our biggest challenges for 2023

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Sustainability is not a new concern for us at Genesal Energy. Even when few in the industry were thinking about the concept, when it was still considered a passing fad, we were taking it seriously. We began work on a detailed action plan aimed at maximising the energy efficiency of all the projects that bear our name. This commitment to clean energy and the environment has moved from theory to practice and has made it possible for us to complete all of the tasks we set ourselves for 2022.

We have wrapped up a number of projects and implemented important initiatives such as the Faculty of Energy Transition, the first in Galicia, created in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC).

Faculty of Energy Transition

2022 marked the beginning of a wonderful adventure full of possibilities. Within a year of its inauguration the faculty presented its first awards for the best undergraduate and master’s degree theses; going forward these awards will be presented annually to students who have done outstanding work on issues related to energy transition and sustainability.

Many challenges await us in 2023, and environmental guidelines are essential; our intention is to build on the progress made in 2022 in order to achieve the best possible results. We intend to strengthen our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by implementing new processes to identify and prioritise the areas which are most relevant to the company, many of which already form an integral part of our business strategy.

Energy Transition Plan

2023 will also be the year in which we launch our Energy Transition Plan at the corporate, production and industry levels; we are steadfast in our conviction that the fight against climate change is a moral obligation that demands a long-term commitment, and that words are not enough: change requires action.

This is why we will continue to research and develop sustainable and increasingly efficient solutions throughout 2023, not only for our customers, but also for the company itself.

One of our most exciting projects in this regard is the installation of the first integrated photovoltaic façade in Galicia at our headquarters in Bergondo, A Coruña, which will be 100% operational at the beginning of the year. This achievement is just the beginning of what we want to do in the medium and long term.

Greenesal

We went a step further on our crusade for sustainability and energy transition in 2022, taking concrete action in the form of several specific initiatives. Going forward these will be managed through Greenesal, a thoughtful, well-planned and ambitious programme designed to make a difference in terms of sustainability. We are confident that 2023 will be its year.

Reducing the carbon footprint of all our facilities, hosting courses, seminars and conferences, and promoting collaboration between public bodies and private enterprise in order to encourage R&D&I projects are all part of a long list of initiatives planned by Genesal Energy for the next twelve months.

Data centres and healthcare

Proactivity is one of the company’s guiding principles on our quest to create unique, high-quality, customised energy solutions which are as respectful as possible of the planet. The development of projects for two green hydrogen plants, the design and manufacture of a generator set for a large recycling plant which aspires to be an industry leader in Spain, and equipment designed to ensure a continuous supply of electricity at the new Mint in Madrid are among the solutions developed in 2022 by our engineering department. All of these projects use Genesal Energy customised generator sets; we monitor and oversee the entire purchase and installation process with our clients from minute one, up to and including post-sales maintenance. This is, without a doubt, one of the most important ways in which we add value for our clients, a point of difference which we will continue to improve.

Genesal Energy’s roadmap for the new year is focused on sectors with strong potential for growth in terms of energy use, such as data centres, everything related to renewable energy and the development of energy solutions in fields such as healthcare and strategic defence.

In the ongoing search for competitive advantage, our Distributed Energy Technology Centre (CETED in the Spanish acronym) will continue to play an essential role in our commitment to manufacturing high quality generator sets both for sale and for lease, a business model with a bright future and an increasingly important part of operations at our subsidiaries in Mexico and Peru.

The manufacture of customised generator sets, essential in all facilities and infrastructure related to communication and transport, will also be a priority, together with all of our projects aimed at increasing the use of clean energy sources.

And, of course, as a company founded almost 30 years ago with the dream of becoming an established player on the global market, international expansion and the search for new markets are key goals for the coming year, during which sustainability and energy transition will be our biggest challenges.

What is Greenesal?

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The scientific evidence for climate change is overwhelming; it is a global issue which unfortunately cannot be effectively addressed without the cooperation of all. On the road to sustainability individual initiatives matter, but they can only become reality if they are put into practice.

This is what Greenesal is all about: making our commitment a reality by implementing an action plan based on the knowledge, responsibility and experience accumulated by Genesal Energy during our almost 30 years in the energy industry.

It is now time to take another step on our crusade for sustainability and energy transition; it is time to act. For us this action takes the form of specific initiatives which will be implemented in the short, medium or long term. Greenesal is at the centre of this thoughtful, well-planned and ambitious programme which we have launched in order to instigate real change.

In a way, Greenesal is the heart of Genesal Energy, and it is sustained by two principal arteries: the Energy Transition Plan and the Faculty of Energy Transition, created in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). Both are strongly focused on R&D&I, because knowledge is the engine that allows us to develop and implement sustainable solutions for high-quality energy projects.

Although they are focused on different areas – industry and education, respectively – the Energy Transition Plan and the Faculty have the same goals: to promote clean energy, encourage the use of renewable energy sources and reduce the carbon footprints of the company, our clients and society in general. However, we are aware that achieving zero emissions is no easy task.

Genesal Energy’s Energy Transition Plan: What does it involve?

Genesal Energy’s Energy Transition Plan  is a set of measures and actions aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of all of our projects at both national and international level, with the goal of helping distributed energy and generator sets become increasingly respectful of both people and the environment. The Energy Transition Plan is already up and running in the form of a series of proposals and projects focused on modifying processes at the corporate, production and industry levels. The philosophy of the plan is simple: do more to impact less. The following are some of its core features:

1- Go all out on green hydrogen

We are committed to the Hydrogenset concept, which encompasses all energy generation solutions which use hydrogen in any form or state as a fuel.

Hydrogen is the simplest and lightest element in the periodic table, abundant on Earth and throughout the universe. It is the new ‘green gold’ and represents the future of energy; the use of hydrogen as a fuel opens up new possibilities for sustainable, zero-impact energy generation.

2- We support the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

We are committed to the 2030 Agenda, approved by the United Nations in 2015, which lays out the priority goals that we as a society must meet in order to ensure the sustainability of our planet and a better future for humanity. The Agenda is designed for governments and institutions as well as public and private companies and is intended to promote economic growth, encourage action against climate change and protect the environment, with a focus on fairness and inclusivity for all. It includes 17 SDGs and 169 targets which the international community as a whole need to work together to achieve.

We are committed to 12 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and are taking concrete action to meet each one.

3- Obtain certification to reflect our progress

We have obtained the official government Carbon Footprint Calculation Seal as a reflection of our commitment to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and are certified in Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001), which has helped us systematically improve how we manage the aspects of our activities that affect the environment.

4- More sustainable and efficient solutions

We implement sustainable and efficient solutions in our product manufacturing processes.

5- 5- Fulfil our obligations. We lead by example in reducing our footprint.

Less petrol: we have reduced the fuel consumption of our vehicle fleet by 16%: fuel consumption decreased from 2377.75 litres of fossil fuels consumed per million euros invoiced in 2019, to 2005.4 l/M€ in 2021; this represents a 16% drop in fuel consumption. The cleanest energy is energy saved.

6- Reduce waste

We have reduced our paper and cardboard waste by 96%, plastic waste by 94% and scrap by 85%.

7- We have the first building-integrated photovoltaic facade in Galicia

A total of 126 photovoltaic panels cover the roof of Genesal Energy’s headquarters in Bergondo (A Coruña). Delivering 57.33kW of power, they will reduce our emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere by over 20 tonnes per year. The project is part of the first phase of our OGGY energy management project.

USC-Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition

This collaboration between industry and academia is an exciting project devised by us. USC-Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition was inaugurated at the beginning of 2022.

Research, support for teaching and the diffusion of knowledge related to the field of energy transition, particularly in areas concerned with distributed energy systems, are the principal goals of the faculty. It will also:

  • Promote the development of R&D&I projects and seek to boost participation in these.
  • Develop distributed energy grid systems based on zero-emission fuels and promote activities which stimulate discourse and debate in the field of energy transition.
  • Promote collaboration between public bodies and private enterprise.
  • Promote ideas competitions and the creation of awards for projects and undergraduate and master’s degree theses.
  • Create student internships at Genesal Energy, with and without university credit.
  • Organise specialisation courses, conferences, seminars, meetings with experts, and visits to organisations, companies and institutions related to the faculty’s mission.
  • Support USC graduates in their search for employment by participating in faculty activities where appropriate.

Through our dedication to the twin pillars of research and education we are demonstrating our conviction that building a fairer world is possible, by taking concrete action such as reducing our carbon footprint and committing to renewable energy sources. At Genesal Energy we dream big because we are optimists.

We are committed to the HYDROGENSET concept

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The production and storage of green hydrogen for use as fuel opens up new possibilities for sustainable energy generation with zero impact.

In order to better understand the HYDROGENSET concept, it is important to first understand how hydrogen functions as an energy carrier.

Hydrogen is the simplest and lightest element in the periodic table. Hydrogen atoms consist of one proton and one electron, and under normal conditions it is a stable gas of diatomic molecules (H2). It is one of the most abundant elements on Earth and throughout the universe, but it usually exists in combination with other elements: with oxygen as water molecules, or with carbon as organic compounds. It is not a fuel which exists in nature ready for use, rather it is an energy carrier like electricity. It needs to be generated somehow.

There are various methods of producing hydrogen, all of which are based on different feedstocks and energy sources and use different processes. Depending on the feedstock and energy source used to produce the H2, it may be 100% renewable, 100% fossil fuel, or a hybrid H2 with a certain percentage of each.

Hydrogen can be produced in large, centralised facilities or in small, distributed units located close to the point of final consumption. This means that hydrogen can be produced anywhere on the planet, even in remote areas.

A kilogram of hydrogen contains more energy than a kilogram of other fuels (and almost three times as much as petrol or natural gas), and no carbon dioxide is emitted in the process of releasing that energy, only water vapour, so the environmental impact is zero.

Just as there are various methods of generating hydrogen, different energy recovery systems also exist; this is where the HYDROGENSET concept comes into play. The term covers any method of energy generation which uses hydrogen, in any of its forms or states, as a fuel:

  • Combustion in gaseous form in engines, either by blending with other fuels or even using 100% H2.
  • Fuel cells that use a chemical process in which H2 and O2 (air) are introduced to form water vapour, and an electric current is generated by the exchange of electrons and protons across the membrane between the substances.
  • The use of ammonia to power retrofitted internal combustion engines, dual fuel engines, or new engines designed to run on ammonia.
  • The use of methanol for large machines with internal combustion engines, including dual fuel engines, which offer greater versatility as they can be powered by traditional fuels if necessary.

What is energy transition?

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We have a plan!

We created the Faculty of Energy Transitionand we have obtained official Carbon Footprint Calculation Certification as part of our commitment to sustainability.

Digitalisation, renewable energy sources and energy carriers, and the transition to natural gas are the cornerstones of energy transition.

Climate change is real. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the average global temperature in 2021 was 0.27°C higher than the average over the period from 1991 to 2020, and 0.64°C higher than the average over the period from 1981 to 2010. The potential impact of climate disruption is huge and will have serious consequences, from melting glaciers to drinking water shortages and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, which will affect us all.

The scientific consensus today is that the cause of this climate disruption is the increase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere as a result of human activity. 90% of the most common polluting gas, CO2, is emitted by the energy industry, mostly from coal-fired power plants.

The Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty, was adopted in December 2015 in an attempt to remedy this situation. It created a global framework for combating climate change which came into force in November 2016. Its ultimate goal, which governments recommitted to at COP26 in Glasgow at the end of 2021, is to limit the average global temperature increase by the end of the century to no more than 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. In order to achieve this target, it is considered crucial that GHG emissions be reduced by 55% by 2050.

What is energy transition?

The most powerful tool at our disposal in our efforts to achieve this target is energy transition. This increasingly common term refers to the urgently required comprehensive overhaul of our current energy system, powered by the burning of fossil fuels and intensive energy production in large, grid-connected facilities, and the creation of a new model centred on the use of renewable energy sources, electrification and distributed generation.

Although energy transition is a slow process which demands extensive changes to both energy production and distribution processes and consumption patterns, this process is already underway in many places and socially conscious companies are increasingly choosing to make changes and take action, moving on from theory to practice. We are part of this group.

We are one hundred percent committed to this structural change and our commitment is not merely theoretical; we put it into practice by doing our utmost to ensure that the measures necessary to carry out this transition which are within our reach are implemented as quickly and effectively as possible.

The way forward for energy transition

The five cornerstones of energy transition:

1- Renewable energy sources and energy carriers

In order to meet demand as coal-fired power plants are closed, the proportion of our energy which comes from renewable sources needs to increase; production capacity is far greater than what we currently generate. But many of these sources are unreliable, meaning that we can’t control the energy generated as we would like to. In order to ensure the security of the grid, these sources must be complemented by some kind of technology which allows energy to be stored for gradual release as needed. These technologies are called energy carriers, and hydrogen is increasingly important to those which currently exist.

2- Natural gas

The road to all of our energy demands being met by renewable sources will be slow and painstaking, and alternative means of generating energy are needed as we carry out the process. This is why natural gas plays an important role in our energy transition strategies. Although it is a fossil fuel, natural gas emits 40-50% less CO2 than coal and 25-30% less than fuel oil, meaning replacing these with gas results in a considerable reduction in GHG emissions.

3- Mobility

In Spain, transport is not only the sector with the highest energy consumption, it is also the least diversified in terms of energy sources, depending almost exclusively on petroleum products. Moreover, it is one of the largest sources of pollution from combustion gases in cities, greatly affecting air quality. A sustainable mobility strategy is therefore essential to the energy transition.

One obvious solution is to increase the use of electric vehicles. Among the advantages of this form of transport are the lack of direct CO2 emissions and the reduced impact on people’s health, since electric vehicles do not emit exhaust fumes.

4- Digitalisation and energy efficiency

The digitalisation of energy at each and every stage of the process, from production through to transport, distribution and final consumption, will improve traditional business models by enhancing the value of the enormous amount of information available to companies and helping them anticipate new trends.

For example, big data analytics, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, all of which rely on data and autonomous learning algorithms, allow us to monitor and manage power generation at numerous production sites, thereby making it possible to identify anomalies in real time and reduce repair times.

5- The circular economy

Our current economic system is based on the linear ‘take-make-waste’ model in which products have a finite life cycle after which they must be replaced. This generates an enormous amount of trash. In contrast, the circular economy is based on the maxim of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and is aimed at achieving long-term sustainability by reducing the volume of trash and keeping goods in the production cycle for as long as possible. Simply put, this approach seeks to achieve more with less.

A shift in our economic system towards a circular economy would not only reduce the environmental impact of waste by reusing it as new raw material but would also lead to improved efficiency in production processes and a reduction of associated emissions.

The Genesal Energy plan

We have developed our own Energy Transition Plan as part of our commitment to sustainability, the 2030 Agenda and clean energy. So, what does this plan consist of? It is a set of short, medium and long-term measures aimed at changing the way we do things at the corporate, production and industry levels.

We want to contribute to improving society; the implementation of more sustainable and efficient solutions in our product manufacturing processes is one of the cornerstones of this strategy, but it is not the only one.

As prominent champions of the energy transition, we lead by example. As part of our business strategy, we have engaged in a process of identifying and prioritising 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is one of our contributions to advancing the 2030 Agenda, but not the only one.

Our search for more efficient energy solutions includes concrete actions such as accelerating the transition from diesel to gas, improving energy efficiency, promoting hybridisation with renewable energy sources and energy storage, and committing to innovation and the digitalisation of energy.

More research

Research and education are essential components of our Energy Transition Plan, which is why we have created, in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela, the USC-Genesal Energy Faculty of Energy Transition. The specialised faculty is the first of its kind in Galicia.

The goal of the faculty is to promote research and support education and the diffusion of knowledge in the field of energy transition, particularly those areas focused on distributed energy systems. Its remit includes developing self-sustaining distributed energy grid technologies and systems based on zero carbon fuels, analysis of energy transition processes and the eco-design of distributed energy generation systems.

Action at the industry level and the corporate level

Our plan outlines actions to be taken at both the industry and corporate levels.

As part of the distributed energy industry, the company is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to participate in associations which encourage leading Spanish and international companies specialising in generator sets to share their experience and knowledge; as part of this policy, we have become members of EuropGen, Cluergal and Viratec, the Galician Cluster of Environmental Solutions and Circular Economy.

At the corporate level, we have obtained Carbon Footprint Calculation certification, reflecting our commitment to SDG 13 (on climate action).

Goals and results

Our Energy Transition Plan aspires to more than instigating change at the industry and corporate levels, however: we want to contribute to changing the world, starting with ensuring we are a socially conscious company.

Our most recent efforts in this regard include the installation of a photovoltaic roof at our headquarters in Bergondo, A Coruña, and reducing the fuel consumption of our vehicle fleet by 16%.

The quantity of fossil fuels consumed by our vehicle fleet decreased from 2377.75 litres per million euros invoiced in 2019 to 2005.4 l/M€ in 2021; this represents a 16% drop in fuel consumption, reflecting our understanding that the cleanest energy is that which is not consumed.

Building an emissions-neutral future is a team effort; we are all protagonists of change. At Genesal Energy we are committed to the planet and the environment, and to implementing the strategy laid out in our Energy Transition Plan in line with United Nations SDG 13.

To summarise, the Genesal Energy Energy Transition Plan is based around three core objectives, each of which involve taking concrete action:

Complete the transition to a sustainable energy model.

A1. Reduce energy consumption at company facilities and increase the use of renewables by installing a photovoltaic self-consumption system.
A2. educe dependence on oil by speeding the transition from diesel to gas and implementing a sustainable mobility strategy.
A3. Increase energy efficiency in all areas of the company through digitalisation.

Reduce our carbon footprint

This involves making steady progress on the path to emissions neutrality; key to this objective is keeping a record of the emissions generated in the course of our commercial activities.

At Genesal Energy, we have already taken important steps along this path: we have been calculating the Scope 1 and 2 emissions which contribute to our carbon footprint since 2019, and our CF calculation will improve when we add Scope 3. In the meantime we will continue to work on strategies to reduce and offset our emissions.

Mainstream climate action

A5. Contribute to mitigating the impact of economic growth on the environment by optimising the use and reuse of outflows and waste.
A6. Fight energy poverty. At Genesal Energy we are committed to all aspects of the energy transition, including our social responsibility. As part of this responsibility, we are working on a plan to provide energy to vulnerable families free of charge.