- At the WEX Global event, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, spoke about LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, the innovative technology to transform putrescible organic waste into biogas
- During the session, the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards were explained, the new awards that will be presented on 20 and 21 September in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in FYCMA
- Life Ecodigestion 2.0 Startup Europe Awards seeks startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition and energy efficiency through the tools offered by the EU
29/03/2023, Seville. Yesterday, Tuesday 28th March, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, presented the European Life Ecodigestion 2.0 project at a conference held as part of WEX Global, the leading event in the water sector. In the roundtable he also announced the next edition of the Life Ecodigestion 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, which seek startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change.
The panel was moderated by Frank Rogalia, Director of Innovation and Technology at Aqualia, and included Helge Daebel, Emerald Partner at Technology Ventures; Juliette Douglas, Business Development Liaison at Water Alliance; Beverley Ferrara, European representative of The Water Council; and Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova.
The session began with brief presentations by each of the panellists, followed by a question and answer session, analysis and discussion in which both the audience and the panel of experts were able to participate.
The LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project
Revuelta’s intervention began with the presentation of Life Ecodigestion 2.0, a project financed by the Life programme to generate biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, HORECA, etc.). This initiative, led by Global Omnium (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal), transforms wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy.
The technology used in LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 “combines digitalisation, climate change and the European Green Pact with the use of Artificial Intelligence”, explained Finnova’s CEO in his speech. This innovative European project also uses the Startup Europe methodology of public-private partnership and digital tools to control and automate the digesters of wastewater treatment plants with the aim of transforming putrescible organic waste into biogas.
LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards
Revuelta also presented the new LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, launched on 17 February at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). These awards seek startups that provide innovative solutions to the challenges of ecological transition, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change.
These SEUAs are made up of two challenges. The first one: “Improvement of biogas generation in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement” aims to achieve a technology for wastewater treatment (biogas generation), which allows saving energy costs and improving the efficiency of its production. The second, “Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP)” seeks a technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge for its subsequent valorisation, for example, as a co-production of biofuel.
The awards ceremony will take place on 20 and 21 September at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA) in the framework of S-Moving and Greencities. The winning proposal may become a real demonstration project as a LIFE, funded by the EU with up to 5 million euros.
Below, you can register to participate in the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 call for proposals.
About WEX Global
WEX Global occupies a unique place in the water conference calendar. Business meetings and conversations are at the heart of WEX, along with the principle of ‘exchange’; the sharing of ideas and philosophies, business cards, solutions and methodologies, to form strong networks on which to build stronger relationships. We will also host more than 80 speakers, from over 40 countries, who will discuss critical issues related to water, energy and climate change: smart circular solutions to build a better world.
About Startup Europe Awards
The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative promoted by the European Commission, launched by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.
About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0
This is a pilot demonstration project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.
About Finnova Foundation
Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities for European projects is combined with a proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.