After completing São Paulo project, Fluxus looks to expand elsewhere in Brazil

Brazil’s Fluxus Soluções em Energia is expanding its operations in the country. 

The company recently completed the implementation of a gas pumping system at the João XXIII pumping station, owned by São Paulo state water utility Sabesp, to guarantee water supply even during power outages. 

The São Paulo metropolitan region has experienced at least three power outages in the last 12 months. 

Responsible for pumping water from the Guarapiranga system to the municipalities of Taboão da Serra, Cotia, Embu das Artes and Itapecerica da Serra, the João XXIII station is one of the largest in the metropolitan region.

With the new gas-powered pumps, the station now has greater energy security, reducing the impact of any outages on the conventional power grid – which is vulnerable because it is exposed to winds, storms and accidents, among other things.

According to the executive director of Fluxus, Caio Mutz, after six months of assisted operations, the new system has achieved total approval, consolidating its success with 100% acceptance by Sabesp.

João XXIII has six pumps of 800HP each. Its standard operations are carried out with four of them – the other two are reserves. Its average energy consumption is approximately 1.4MkWh per month, which would be enough to supply around 7,000 homes. In addition to João XXIII, five other Sabesp pumping stations use the gas solution.

While continuing to make progress on strategic initiatives with the São Paulo company, Fluxus is developing new projects in the northeast and south of Brazil, in partnership with local utilities, also focusing on water pumping.  

Mutz said the Fluxus pumping system can also be powered by biogas, which is formed from the activity of anaerobic microorganisms in the degradation of organic matter present in sewage.

“Biogas stands out for being renewable and more economical, reducing the user's carbon footprint and becoming a more advantageous option in terms of cost-benefit,” he told BNamericas.