With the start of the new hydrological year – the new “water cycle” that began on October 1 – Aden also begins a new cycle of national action for more efficient use of water in our country.
With the support of the Ministry of Environment, Aden launches projects to enhance water use efficiency
At a time when efficiency and reduction of waste in water use are becoming increasingly important, ADENE – Energy Agency puts its long and consolidated experience, gained in implementing energy efficiency in Portugal, at the service of water efficiency.
With its 33 years of history and experience in the field of energy efficiency, ADENE now intends to contribute its expertise in leveraging behavioral change and adopting innovative water efficiency solutions in various sectors, particularly in the urban sector and in buildings.
So, in the week that National Water Day is celebrated, and after being in Water Innovation Week in PortoAden presents two projects it is developing in the field of water efficiency and water-energy nexus, targeting the urban sector and already progressing on the ground, with the support of the Environment Fund and the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission. The projects are particularly important in a year marked by severe drought in 80% of the territory, with the risk of water shortages in some areas of the country and also with a significant impact on the national production of renewable energy, the country’s energy bill and the level of greenhouse gas emissions.
AX Aqua eXperience – Education, awareness and action project for water efficiency and the water-energy nexus
Coordinated by ADENE, and with EPAL as partner – Águas Livres Portuguese CompanySA, The “AX Aqua eXperience” project aims to promote education, awareness and action for water efficiency and the water-energy nexus. This project, approved with co-financing by the Environment Fund within the framework of the National Environmental Education Strategy, promoted by the Ministry of Environment, aims to bring about a change in the behavior of water users in urban areas, particularly in urban buildings (residential, public and commercial).
Buildings have the potential to save 30% of water, which is essential to reduce water waste that still occurs today. On the other hand, water and energy consumption in buildings has a very significant impact on the costs of national households, whose expenditures on housing, water, electricity and gas exceed 30% (National Institute of Statistics, July 2017).
The AX Aqua eXperience project aims to contribute effectively to reversing this situation, through an innovative communication and intervention approach, with a high level of impact. To this end, it will focus on intergenerational action and communication, supported by the development of digital tools, practical education initiatives within the school community and a digital marketing campaign, based on innovative messages adapted to different types of water users, ages and desires.
Water Skills Project – ADENE leads strategic partnership to qualify water efficiency experts
As part of the measures aimed at enhancing the efficiency of water use in the urban sector, Aden is leading the Water Skills Project – Water Efficiency and Water-Energy Relationship in Building Construction and RetrofittingA strategic partnership to qualify water efficiency experts, certified by the European ERASMUS+ programme, responsible for co-financing the project.
Launched in September, and under development until August 2020, in partnership with entities from three European countries (FLC – Construction Workers Association in Spainformdale – National Authority for Vocational Education and Training in Construction In Italy and CRES – National Energy Agency of Greece), the project will allow the creation of a common national and European framework for the training, professional qualification and European mobility of water efficiency experts and technicians in buildings – a measure that encourages the creation of new professions and jobs and allows the mobility and employment of these professionals in the European market.
In Portugal, the Advisory Board is currently part of ERSAR (Regulatory Authority for Water and Waste Services) and ANQIP (National Association for Quality in Building Installations), also accompanied by APA (Portuguese Environment Agency) and ANQEP (National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education). The official inaugural meeting with partners and members of the National Advisory Council will take place on October 9 and 10.
With WATTer Skills, ADENE expects to respond to the needs of modernization and qualification of technicians in the sectors of construction, urban rehabilitation and network construction. It is intended, therefore, that the implementation of new water efficiency solutions in buildings will be ensured by specialized technicians qualified for the new legal requirements, technological solutions and opportunities in this field, providing guarantees of trust, safety and high efficiency for users. It will also allow you to strengthen communication (The Association) between water and energy in buildings, multiplying the resulting savings for consumers and resource efficiency.
Aden also has other water efficiency projects under development, targeting the industrial and agricultural sectors, and on the water-energy nexus, targeting entities managing water supply and sanitation services.
