Assessment of water-energy-waste resources in rural houses in Gran Canaria Island, as a tool for the climate change mitigation

Abstract

The potential application of renewable energies is diverse, which have demonstrated their suitability in their application to the size and operation of activities. Rural tourism is one of the products with the greatest potential for growth within the tourist offer of Gran Canaria island, as it combines sustainable development and respect for the natural environment. Among the renewable energies with high applicability in rural environments, we highlight: the solar photovoltaic, as low temperature thermal, and methanization of the waste and wastewater generated in the tourist activity. This work shows a methodology adapted and developed for the study of the water-energy-waste nexus, considering parameters of waste generation, water and energy consumption, occupied area and potential renewable energy generation in rural houses in Gran Canaria island and evaluate their environmental profitability. It has been concluded that applying these renewable technologies can significantly reduce the carbon and ecological footprint of the activity of rural houses based on the available surface. This contributes to achieving the energy and environmental objectives proposed by the EU to achieve decarbonization by 2050.