On August 5th, we had the pleasure of visiting the Institute of Technology at the Canary Islands (ITC) to explore their qualifications for the Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination (GPID). The Canary Islands have already set a global example with El Hierro, an island powered entirely by renewable energy sources like wind and water. This remarkable achievement inspired our visit to ITC, where innovative approaches to desalination are also being explored.
During our visit, Baltasar Peñate Suárez, Head of ITC’s Water Department, shared insights into their ongoing projects. ITC is pioneering desalination technologies that consume up to 20% less energy than conventional systems, reaching an impressive efficiency of 1.85 kW/m³. They are also exploring new ways to utilize brine surplus, from industrial applications to microalgae cultivation.
ITC’s commitment to innovation in desalination makes them a strong candidate for the GPID. Their projects reflect an exceptional commitment to environmental innovation, and their participation to GPID would bring valuable insights into advanced and sustainable technologies.