A pioneering cold energy recovery system at the Enagás plant in the Port of Barcelona

The EU’s ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality has spurred innovations aimed at making industrial processes more energy efficient. In this context, Enagás, through its technology subsidiary E4Efficiency, launched a groundbreaking project at its LNG plant in the Port of Barcelona. Partnering with Ecoenergies Barcelona—partly owned by Veolia and the City of Barcelona—this initiative follows Ecoenergies’ 2022 concession to build and operate a cooling network at the port, the tenth largest in Europe.

This project stands out for its innovative use of residual cold energy produced during the regasification process at the Enagás plant. LNG is offloaded at the port at a temperature of -160°C, then converted back into gas using seawater before being fed into the transmission network. Central to the project’s uniqueness is its application of circular economy principles. The residual cold energy—generated at -20°C during this process—is captured and channeled into a pipeline network operated by Ecoenergies. This low-carbon energy is then distributed to the southern part of the city and portions of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, contributing to a sustainable energy solution.

The new urban cooling network, the largest in Southern Europe, serves Fira de Barcelona (the city’s exhibition centre), offices, industrial facilities, hotels, shopping centres and residential buildings, to give just a few examples.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in the EU’s path to achieving net zero. It highlights the strong commitment of Veolia, Enagás, and the City of Barcelona to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more sustainable, eco-friendly city.

The new system currently consists of three 3 MW units, with the potential to add two more, increasing the total capacity to 15 MW.

As part of the project, Ayesa was awarded a contract by E4Efficiency to deliver both basic and detailed engineering services. These services encompassed the design of essential processes, mechanical equipment, pipelines, public works, electrical installations, and instrumentation. Ayesa was also tasked with conducting preliminary studies, preparing technical specifications, generating equipment and material purchase lists, determining costs and measurements, and providing ongoing support throughout the procurement process.

The new facilities are equipped with all necessary safety and control systems, ensuring optimal operation and reliability.

This pioneering and innovative project has positioned Barcelona at the forefront of emission reduction efforts, showcasing the vital role of public-private sector collaboration in tackling this pressing challenge.

The solution supplies Barcelona with 131 GWh of clean, locally sourced, low-cost energy annually—enough to power a city of 100,000 people. In addition, it prevents the release of 32,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.

Serving a diverse range of users, including industry, the tertiary sector, and residential buildings, the system has boosted the competitiveness of local businesses.

Moreover, the project has played a key role in modernizing the Port of Barcelona and its surrounding area, enhancing sustainability and supporting the region’s long-term environmental goals.