Energy storage pilot aims to enhance irrigation canal efficiency in Spain

The project AGISTIN is piloting the potential of using an irrigation system as an energy storage system in Catalonia in northeastern Spain.

Infraestructures de la Generalitat de Catalunya S.A.U. (Infraestructures.cat), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and Segrià Sud Irrigation Community are leading a pilot at the Segrià-Sud canal, in the Catalonia region, testing the integration of energy storage technologies in an irrigation pumping station.

This will enhance water management and energy efficiency in the region, contributing to reduced costs for the irrigation community and farmers overall.

The pilot is part of the European project AGISTIN, which focuses on integrating advanced innovative energy storage technologies into industrial processes, such as irrigation schemes.

The Segrià Sud canal plays a crucial role in supplying water to farms and fields, enabling irrigation for crops in the Segrià region. It has multi-reservoir irrigation systems designed to manage water resources effectively but consumes substantial energy annually due to the pumping stations that transfer water between these reservoirs.

This design resembles other hydropower schemes on a smaller scale, with the particularity that it has been designed purely for pumping purposes.

The pilot proposes updating local energy generation by combining solar panels (275kWp) with short and long-duration energy storage. This will enhance irrigation system performance and water management capacity, optimising pumping operations and thus reducing operational costs.

“The emerging technology in the AGISTIN project represents a decisive step towards a more sustainable and efficient Catalonia in resource use,” said Eduardo Prieto Araujo, Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and pilot leader.

“Integrating energy storage solutions into irrigation infrastructures will not only improve water management and energy efficiency but will also directly benefit farmers and the irrigation community.”

Oriol Güell, Energy Services Manager at Infraestructures.cat, said that in eastern Catalonia, the three years from 2021 to 2023 saw some of the worst droughts in recorded history.

“This initiative responds boldly and decisively to the environmental and economic challenges of our time. Collaboration with our international partners within the project framework underscores our commitment to innovation and European cooperation in the search for cutting-edge solutions to major problems.

“This not only reflects Catalonia’s leadership in transitioning to a more sustainable energy model but also highlights our commitment to creating synergies on an international scale.”

Sustainable agriculture

By promoting a sustainable and efficient agricultural model, this project not only preserves the future of the agricultural sector in a climate-change-affected world but also lays the groundwork for a more prosperous and competitive Catalonia within the new green economy.

The integration of solar panels improves the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the scheme. With the addition of storage and smart controls, it will also help alleviate stress on water resources.

Promoting sustainable agricultural practices by optimising water resources and reducing energy costs ensures agriculture remains viable amidst changing climatic conditions.

The pilot, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, has already begun extending its impact to other irrigation communities in the region.

Alongside Infraestructures.cat and CITCEA-UPC, a research centre at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, the pilot is supported by research at the non-profit research institution CARTIF, the public research organisation CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas), Finnish clean tech startup Geyser Batteries, consultancy RINA and the research institution EPRI Europe.

This pilot is one of two within AGISTIN, a four-year Horizon Europe supported project designed to help energy companies rapidly deploy renewables through advanced integration of innovative energy storage technologies.