[미국] GE, 인텔의 물재이용 노력 인정

미국의 세계적인 제조업체 GE가 인텔의 오리건(Oregon)주 힐스버러(Hillsboro) 론러 에이커스(Ronler Acres) 지구의 새로운 물재이용 프로젝트에 에코매지네이션 상(Ecomagination Award)을 수여할 예정이다.

인텔이 추진 중인 프로젝트로 물재이용 시설이 완공되면 연간 약 10억 갤런 이상의 물을 재활용할 수 있을 것으로 예상되며, 수질 또한 개선될 것으로 기대를 모으고 있다.

일단 가동이 이뤄지면, 제조 공정으로부터 버려지는 산업용수가 쿨링 타워(cooling towers), 스크러버(scrubber) 등의 시설 내 시스템을 통해 재이용된다. 이에 더해 지자체 폐수처리 시스템을 통해 배출된 물은 냉각되고 정화된다.

한편, 인텔은 환경에 대한 책임의 일환으로 지속 가능한 수자원 관리를 핵심 목표로 추구하고 있다. 이에 따른 인텔의 수자원 전략은 크게 △물절약 △물재이용 △물 보존을 위한 스마트 기술 활용 등이다.

[원문보기]

Intel’s water reuse efforts recognized by GE

GE is honoring Intel Corporation with an Ecomagination Award to celebrate a new water recycling project at Intel’s Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro, Oregon. When complete, the facility will have the potential to recycle over a billion gallons of water annually while also improving the quality of water that leaves the facility.

“Intel is committed to being a leader in environmental sustainability, especially in the communities where we operate. Reducing our environmental impact not only benefits our business, but is the right thing to do,” said Neil Tunmore, vice president and director of corporate services, Intel. “We are honored that GE has recognized us with an Ecomagination Award.”

Once operational, the facility will recycle industrial water discharged from the manufacturing process for reuse in facility systems such as cooling towers, scrubbers and abatement equipment. In addition, the water discharged to the municipal wastewater treatment system will be cooler and cleaner.

“In recognition of Intel’s sustainability initiatives and its commitment to protect our planet’s precious resources, we are pleased to present Intel with the GE Ecomagination Award,”said Kevin Cassidy, global leader, engineered systems GE Water & Process Technologies. “This water recycling facility is a great example of how industry can use existing, integrated technology solutions to help further global sustainability and drive business value through water reuse.”

Intel’s founders instilled a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, and the company has been pursuing sustainability through environmentally responsible operations and innovative technology solutions for decades. GE’s Ecomagination Award recognizes the achievements of its global industrial users and top GE customers that implement innovative solutions driving business value and environmental benefit. GE presented Intel with the Ecomagination Award at today’s celebration ceremony, which was held in conjunction with World Water Day.

“Water scarcity is an increasing challenge both globally and locally. Industrial water use is expected to grow 250 percent by 2030, which is nearly one-third of all global water use. Today, we only reuse about 4 percent of wastewater, so using technology and processes designed to minimize water use will be key to adapting to a water constrained world,” said Deb Frodl, global executive director, Ecomagination, GE.

Sustainable water management is key to Intel’s continuing commitment to environmental responsibility. The company’s water strategy includes:

Reduce: Investing in innovative water conservation practices within their global operations. Since 1998, Intel has conserved more than 52 billion gallons of water. In 2015, it saved 820 million gallons of water in Oregon through water conservation efforts.

Return: Returning a significant portion of the water used back to local communities. In 2015, Intel returned 80 percent of the water its used in Oregon.

Reinvent: Empowering others to reinvent water use by integrating smart technologies that drive conservation.

[출처 = Water World / 2017년 3월 28일]