Wedoany.com Report-May 26, Iberdrola España has completed the installation of a microgrid at Schneider Electric’s Molins de Rei plant in Barcelona, marking its first microgrid project in Spain. The system, designed to enhance sustainability, includes 990 solar panels, five electric vehicle charging stations, and 216 kWh of battery storage, supporting the plant’s transition to a “Zero CO2 factory” after achieving its decarbonization objectives.

The microgrid integrates solar power, battery storage, and energy management software, enabling efficient energy use and reduced carbon emissions. Iberdrola España’s institutional delegate in Catalonia, Andrés Carasso, stated: “This microgrid project is an example of how electrification will allow a company to be more economically competitive, more sustainable, and have a more resilient facility by combining self-consumption, battery storage and energy management in a single project.” The initiative aligns with Iberdrola’s “microgrids as a service” model, aimed at helping customers decarbonize.

The project was financed through Spain’s Institute for Diversification and Energy Savings, supported by the EU’s Next GenerationEU recovery plan. The solar panels are expected to generate 670 MWh annually, covering about 10% of the plant’s energy needs, under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Iberdrola España. Since 2019, the Molins de Rei plant has improved energy efficiency by 24%, with an additional 11% from a new electric boiler, and reduced CO2 emissions by 2,250 tons per year since 2017, achieving zero emissions in Scopes 1 and 2.

Josu Ugarte, president of Schneider Electric in the Iberian region, highlighted the project’s significance, saying: “Most importantly, it is a replicable and scalable model that can be applied to any factory seeking to move toward a more decarbonised and resilient model.” The microgrid not only supports Schneider Electric’s sustainability goals but also demonstrates the viability of combining electrification and digitalization for industrial transformation.

Located in Barcelona, the Molins de Rei plant serves as a model for sustainable industrial operations, showcasing how renewable energy solutions can lower costs and environmental impact. The project’s scalable design offers a blueprint for other facilities aiming to enhance resilience and reduce carbon footprints, contributing to Spain’s broader clean energy objectives.