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.

AIR

IGUANA CUP

In this project, we are promoting the reuse of products. The use of disposable products causes a lot of harm to the environment, and at the same time, there are returnable systems that can reduce this pollution and improve our health. We started with the initiative of Iguana Cup, whose goal was the implementation of a returnable system of reusable cups in the Galapagos. Iguana Cup was created to show that there are still a few species in the world that have not yet come into contact with disposable plastics, one of them being the pink iguana of Isabela Island. What can we learn from this species? Reuse, reject disposables, and spread the word. Since 2021, we have been part of the Pacific Plastics – Science to Solutions project and have started returnable solutions. Our goal is to reduce at least 2.5 million disposable cups per year by implementing returnable cups in the food courts of malls in continental Ecuador. In this way, we reduce the marine trash that reaches the Galapagos Islands. Since 2022, the El Jardin Mall in Quito uses returnable cups, preventing approximately 500,000 disposable cups per year.