Projects
water
Wastewater Purification
We are designing and installing mechanical and natural systems for wastewater purification. Our focus is on the reuse of water for gardens and vegetables patches reducing the use of water. You can take advantage of existing facilities such as septic tanks thanks to our systems.
On Isabela Island there is the largest constructed wetland in Ecuador purifying the sewage water of 1,500 inhabitants and 100,000 annual tourists. A metal tank serves as a primary treatment area by separating the sludge. From the sedimentation tank, the wastewater passes to the second phase of treatment that is divided into two parts. First, two artificial wetlands of 20mx50m are purifying the wastewater. Then the water is distributed in two secondary wetlands, both running in parallel to facilitate maintenance. The cleaned sewage water is discharged to the environment. Every year external monitoring is carried out to check the efficiency of the plant.
In addition, we have several projects with hotels and homes in Galapagos. You can take a tour to learn more about the projects and the different ways you can take advantage of the purified sewage water.
sun
SOLAR HEATER
One of the most efficient ways to use solar energy is through a solar heater. The functioning of the solar heater is the same as that used by the marine iguana. With its dark skin, it absorbs solar radiation and heats up. Its thick skin functions as insulation to maintain its temperature. Once at its temperature, it enters the cold sea and searches for food. When its body temperature decreases, it returns to land and rests on volcanic rocks. Once dawn breaks, the sun announces the start of a new cycle. The solar heater works in an analogous way.
Orcatec has installed more than 200 solar heaters in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador since 2012. CHROMAGEN systems come from Israel and have been on the market for more than 30 years. They are robust, the interior is washable of salt and sediments and contain an electrical backup in case solar radiation does not supply the system. The guarantee is 10 years with its own maintenance. The systems also work during cloudy days.
In Galapagos we have facilities at Hotel Casa Marita in Isabela, Hotel Fiesta and Isla Azul in Santa Cruz and Hotel Arena Blanca in San Cristobal. Maintenance is done once a year.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
The best known form of harnessing solar energy is through a photovoltaic system. It consists of photovoltaic panels, solar chargers, an inverter and a battery bank. As batteries are pollutants we opt for systems with more solar energy use during the day and the lowest possible battery use.
There are two forms of systems: Systems WITH grid connection called "grid-tie" and systems WITHOUT grid connection are called "island" or stand-alone systems.
Grid-tie systems are typical for housing developments, these systems can inject surplus energy into the grid and can collect this energy at night. In other words, the utility grid functions as a giant battery. These systems are very interesting for customers with high electricity costs.
The island system is more common in remote sites such as farms or tourist sites. They are typically more expensive because they include a battery bank. At the same time they also work when there is a power outage.
You can also combine the two systems to receive both benefits. Write us to tell us about your project.
TESTIMONIALS
“We have chosen to use renewable energy as a good environmental option”
Andrew Balfour
“The use of clean energy promotes good environmental practices on the island”
Cecilia Baquero
Hotel Posada del Mar
“Implementing renewable energy is an obligation of any responsible business”
John Garate
Hotel Torre Mar
"The use of the solar heaters represents a key saving for the hotel regarding economic and energy issues"
José Ignacio Gutierrez
Hotel La Isla
AIR
Iguana Cup
En este proyecto estamos promocionando la reutilización de productos. El uso de productos desechables causa mucho daño al medio ambiente y al mismo tiempo existen sistemas retornables que puedan reducir esta contaminación y nuestra salud. Comenzamos con la iniciativa de Iguana Cup cual objetivo fue la implementación de un sistema retornable de vasos reusables en Galápagos. Iguana Cup fue creado para mostrar que existen todavía unas pocas especies en el mundo que todavía no tuvieron contacto con plásticos desechables, uno de ello la Iguana rosada de la isla Isabela. ¿Qué podemos aprender de esta especie? Reusar, rechazar desechables y pasar la voz. Desde 2021 estamos parte del proyecto Pacific Plastics – Science to Solutions y iniciamos soluciones retornables. Nuestro objetivo es de reducir al menos 2.5 millones de vasos desechables por año implementando vasos retornables en los patios de comida de los malls en Ecuador continental. De tal forma reducimos la basura marina que llega a las Islas Galápagos. Desde 2022 el Mall El Jardín en Quito usa vasos retornables evitando aprox. 500.000 vasos desechables por año.
