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UK & Ireland
SEaB Energy, a WEConnect International certified women-owned business and one of the UK’s brightest innovators of waste to energy technology, has fully implemented its containerised power plant at a hypermarket owned by Portugal’s largest retailer. This is the first time that an anaerobic digestion system, that converts inedible food waste to energy, has been installed at a supermarket site anywhere in Portugal.
The strategic partnership agreement, signed with Modelo Continente, part of the Sonae Group (link is external), was conducted through SEaB Energy’s Portuguese agent, Biowaste SA. The conclusion of the deal has resulted in SEaB Energy’s ‘Flexibuster’ technology being installed at Continente’s hypermarket in Gaia, located in the south of Porto.
SEaB Energy’s patented ‘Power in a box’ small-scale power plant is now fully operational and will deliver an immediate revenue stream for Modelo Continente as well as having a significant positive environmental impact to the site.
Sandra Sassow, CEO of SEaB Energy commented:
“This is a ground breaking deal for the adoption of small-scale renewable energy systems within the retail sector – and not just for Portugal but for Europe as a whole. It also demonstrates Continente’s continued commitment to adopting sustainable solutions that also improve their operational performance and enhance their environmental credentials.”
The Flexibuster will convert approximately 600kg per day of inedible supermarket food waste into energy that will generate around 80,000Kwh of electricity, as well as 180 tonnes of fertilizer per annum. The electricity will be used on site whilst the fertilizer will be sold on, creating another valuable revenue stream for the supermarket.
The total offset savings for the first year is projected to be around €27,000 which includes income from energy generation and cost savings from the elimination of waste transport and landfill costs as well as other operational expenses.
Modelo Continente is a pioneer in the adoption of low-carbon, environmentally-friendly measures that reduces its demand for energy and includes LED-only lighting in all new stores, installation of over 112 photovoltaic power plants and the use of more efficient heating and cooling equipment. The company also has a strong focus on resource recovery including the recycling of product and transport packaging and the implementation of bins at its stores so that consumers can recycle items such as batteries, clothing, consumables and electricals.
