BARCELONA – The renovation and modernization project for the ASTA building at Port de Barcelona, currently underway, has received public funding within the framework of the Plan for Reducing Energy Consumption in the General State Administration, co-financed by the European Union. This significant investment of 4 million euros, representing 43% of the eligible costs under the Pluriregional FEDER Programme, underscores a commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.
Comprehensive Renovation for Enhanced Functionality and Sustainability
The renovation of the ASTA building, located on Ronda del Port, commenced in 2021. It includes both the main building and an annex dedicated to the Port Police. The primary objective of the work is to improve the functional conditions of the complex, retaining the Conservation, Archive, and Port Police departments and services within the facility. Additionally, a section of the main building will be allocated for leasing spaces to other concessionary companies of Port de Barcelona. The Port Police Control Center, which houses the Headquarters, Control Center, Crisis Room, and Support Office, has been operational since July 2024.
The total budget for the project, excluding VAT, is 18 million euros. The substantial contribution from the EU highlights the project’s alignment with broader European goals for environmental protection and energy conservation.
Pluriregional FEDER Programme 2021-2027: A Focus on Energy Efficiency
The Pluriregional FEDER Programme of Spain 2021-2027 is structured around various political objectives, each containing specific goals. Specifically, within Political Objective 2, Specific Objective RSO2.1 prioritizes “promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” The Plan for Reducing Energy Consumption in the General State Administration, under which this project falls, is a key component of this objective.
This plan primarily targets energy rehabilitation in existing buildings and infrastructures of the General State Administration. The ASTA Building rehabilitation project is a complete and integral renovation, addressing all aspects of the building’s energy efficiency. This includes the installation of new facades, enclosures, and insulation, as well as a comprehensive overhaul of all facilities, which will significantly elevate the building’s energy rating.
In 2023, the project was further modified to adapt the building’s air conditioning system to a hydraulic exchange system connected to the cold and heat network. This innovative network is being developed by Ecoenergies Barcelona in the southern area of Barcelona, marking a pioneering step towards sustainable climate control.
Pioneering Renewable Energy Integration
The future ASTA building will not only consume green electricity with a guarantee of origin, a standard practice for all buildings of the Port Authority of Barcelona, but its air conditioning system and domestic hot water supply will also operate on renewable energy. This commitment aims to minimize the building’s environmental impact, setting a new benchmark for sustainable infrastructure within the port.
Leveraging Regasification Cold for Circular Economy
The cold network represents an innovative example of a circular economy, as it will harness residual cold generated by the regasification of LNG arriving by ship at the Enagás terminal on the Energy Pier. LNG arrives in liquid form, refrigerated at -160°C, and during the transfer process to the natural gas network, it must be heated to 15°C. Previously, this process utilized seawater, leading to the loss of the cold energy. However, the cold recovery system being developed by Ecoenergies at Port de Barcelona since mid-2022 will capture this cold, creating a circuit of refrigerated liquid at -20°C. This chilled liquid will be distributed through the network and primarily used for industrial purposes, although it will also supply cold for building air conditioning.
This groundbreaking system is projected to save 32,000 tons of CO2 annually and eliminate the need for conventional electric chillers, commonly used in industries or traditional air conditioning units. Furthermore, it mitigates noise and visual pollution, significantly reduces maintenance costs, and frees up valuable space within buildings. This holistic approach to energy management positions the ASTA building as a leader in environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
