The Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya (IREC) has commissioned the engineering firm Colomer-Rifà, SLP to design the PRIMA Platform for Testing and Demonstration for the Energy Transition and its experimental fields. The design of the basic and executive project will be completed within 22 weeks, including the initial processing of permits and the development of the executive project.
The PRIMA Platform will be built in the Polígon Industrial La Ronda in Gurb, Osona, and will cover an area of 12,825 m². This leading facility will serve for the testing and demonstration of energy technologies in real environments and at a semi-industrial scale, promoting technological development and innovation in the energy sector to facilitate the decarbonisation of the Catalan economy.
On 26th June 2024, the Comissió Territorial d’Urbanisme de la Catalunya Central approved a modification of the municipal planning of Gurb, which will allow the implementation of the PRIMA Platform. This modification updates the occupancy parameters of the equipment system plot without increasing its buildability and incorporates uses related to research and investigation.
The PRIMA Platform will feature six pilot plants dedicated to several areas of the energy transition, such as hydrogen systems, the digitisation of distribution networks, energy storage, sustainable buildings, sustainable mobility, and bioenergy. The planned industrial building and outdoor spaces will occupy land provided by the Gurb Town Council, with a constructed area of 2,900 m².
This project is an example of collaboration between institutions and territorial participation, involving the Generalitat de Catalunya through the Institut Català d’Energia (ICAEN), the Fundació IREC, the Consell Comarcal d’Osona, the Ajuntament de Gurb, the Ajuntament de Vic, and the Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC).
The director of the PRIMA platform project, Mr Ramon Jané, highlighted: “The selection of Colomer-Rifà, SLP as the engineering firm will allow us to advance securely and efficiently in the construction of a platform that will be a benchmark for innovation and energy sustainability.”
Mr Josep Colomer, project director at Colomer-Rifà, SLP, stated: “This project represents a great opportunity to demonstrate our technical capability and commitment to innovation. We are proud to contribute to such a significant project for Catalonia’s energy transition.”
The related press release is available (in Catalan) for more information:
The PRIMA project is funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya through the Institut Català d’Energia (ICAEN). IREC is the CERCA research centre leading the PRIMA project to achieve a new demonstration platform to promote research and innovation in the energy sector in Catalonia, identified as a key strategy in the National Pact for the Energy Transition and the Climate Change Law.
