Technical & Social Visits
Technical Visit: Polanco Process at the Pinedo WRRF
The Pinedo Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) is the largest of its kind in Valencia and a key component of the region’s circular economy strategy. The facility provides reclaimed water and high-quality biosolids to local rice farmers while safeguarding the sensitive ecosystems of the Albufera Natural Park.
The plant currently serves approximately 1.78 million population equivalents across the city of Valencia and 18 surrounding municipalities.
In recent years, the Pinedo WRRF has undergone major upgrades aimed at enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency. These improvements include advanced automation systems, replacement of equipment with high-efficiency units, optimization of aeration processes, expansion of biogas cogeneration capacity, installation of a 1-MW photovoltaic array, and modernization of electrical and pumping infrastructure. Collectively, these measures have substantially reduced energy consumption and strengthened operational reliability.
The highlight of this technical visit will be one of the plant’s most transformative innovations: the Thermal Hydrolysis Process (THP) by teCH4+. This pretreatment step significantly enhances anaerobic digestion by increasing biogas yields, reducing sludge volumes, and ensuring effective sludge hygienization, all while maintaining a compact footprint and modest energy demand. Full-scale operation has demonstrated the robustness of this technology, enabling greater resource recovery, improving energy self-sufficiency, and reinforcing the facility’s essential role in Valencia’s environmental protection and circular-economy objectives.
Social TOUR – L’Albufera de Valencia
From the Pinedo WRRF, we will continue to L’Albufera de Valencia, one of the most iconic and ecologically valuable coastal wetlands in the Valencian Community and the western Mediterranean. Located just a few kilometers south of the city, the Albufera Natural Park is designated both as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds and a Site of Community Importance (SCI) in Europe. Its landscape features a serene freshwater lagoon surrounded by rice fields, pine forests, and traditional Valencian scenery, making it a symbol of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
The excursion will begin with a traditional Valencian lunch, where attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of dishes, including the authentic Paella Valenciana. This will be an excellent occasion to discover one of the most renowned elements of Valencian gastronomy while sharing a relaxed and friendly moment with fellow participants.
The visit will conclude with a boat tour across the lagoon, giving participants the chance to take in the tranquil surroundings and appreciate the unique atmosphere of this remarkable ecosystem.
