EIP Water has got talent: Candidates pitch innovation to panel of judges

Integrated Approach on Hydric Efficiency

and Recovery of Nutrient in Buildings (INTHERN)

Armando Silva Afonso, Chairman of the Board/ANQIP

21 November 2013

EU Parliament, Brussels

Innovation potential

The efficient use of water not only contributes to the

conservation of the resource, but also for greater energy

efficiency, through the nexus between water efficiency

and energy efficiency.

Similarly, the recovery of minerals from the wastewater

becomes ever more important (Eco-innovation

Observatory Thematic Report: Water Innovation, May

2011).

Innovation potential

The diminishing reserves of phosphates (among other nutrients) is a known issue and buildings can play an important role in this field through its recovery from the urine gathered in sanitary installations.

This require new concepts for the bathrooms, with new types of sanitary wares that promote the separation of urines, implying also new conceptions for the drainage systems in buildings.

Innovation potential

The rejection of domestic and industrial effluents rich in P and fertilizers leaching to water bodies is the major cause of eutrophication process, which is probably the most significant unresolved problems at water resources protection level.

More than 53% of the lakes are eutrophic and this is the main pressure responsible for the failure of the aim of 'good status' by 2015 prescribed by EU Water Framework Directive.

Innovation potential

The resolution of these problems can be done in an integrated manner at the level of buildings as, for example, nutrients recovered can be used in green roofs.

This can encourage the adoption of green roofs and the development of new sanitary appliances, promoting in Europe the development of companies with environmentally friendly products and solutions, as well as the necessary regulatory and normative adaptation to the operation of these integrated systems.

Innovation and Market opportunities

Among the more significant innovation potential and

market opportunities that may result from this integrated

approach may be noted the following:

a) Development of new conceptions for sanitary

appliances and new systems for drainage in buildings

(implying the study of the necessary regulatory and

normative adaptations), seeking the recovery of

nutrients;

b) Development of specific solutions for the recovery of

nutrients in buildings (e.g. from urine);

Market opportunities

c) Development of appropriate solutions for hydric

efficiency in buildings with green roofs, including the

optimization of its energy performance, improved

combinations of substrates, plants and bio fertilizers,

utilization of recovered nutrients and rainwater

harvesting;

d) Development of smart technologies applied in the

integrated context;

e) Construction of a pilot plant/building, allowing not only

the improvement of the process but also the analysis of

market opportunities and receptivity of end users.

The partners

PARTNER COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

ANQIP (Lead) Portugal Civil Society Association (Building Services)

T. U. KOSICE Slovakia Tech. University (Water balance in green roofs)

UTAD Portugal University (Treatment and reuse of wastewater)

NEOTURF Portugal Company (Construction of green roofs)

ITECONS Portugal Technol. Institute (Energy optimization in green roofs)

ROCA Spain Company (bathroom products)

UCP-ESB Portugal University (Substrates, plants and bio fertilizers)

VITRA Turkey Company (bathroom products)

UNIV. MINHO Portugal University (Phosphorus recovery)

LUCIUS Portugal Construction Company

PASSIVHAUS Portugal Association (Sustainability solutions)

Questions? Please contact:

ARMANDO SILVA-AFONSO

www.anqip.pt

Thank you very much for your attention