Barcelona Aquarium renovated with new species and new technology 

Barcelona Aquarium has been renovated, entering a new phase with a focus on technology, sustainability, and environmental education. 

General director Maria José Peretó says that the aquarium is unveiling a "complete transformation," taking advantage of new technologies to "show the beauty of the sea, its importance, and the need to protect it." 

Among the innovations is a 300-square-meter digital floor at the entrance and an immersive room, plunging visitors into the marine world. Some of the fish tanks have also been renovated, introducing new species. 

Walking further into the aquarium, visitors find themselves in an immersive room called "Journey to the Depths," where people can interactively explore the ocean floor through advanced technology and 360-degree projections and visuals.  

"We took advantage of a moment when technology made this transformation possible," emphasized Peretó. The immersive room invites visitors to explore marine ecosystems while placing particular focus on the effects of climate change and pollution on the oceans. 

As part of the experience, marine creatures and underwater landscapes are shown alongside common types of marine litter, such as nets and cans, with explanations of how this pollution affects marine life. 

According to the aquarium’s director, the transformation also includes the renovation of tanks and the introduction of new species. One of the newcomers is seahorses, a species they are now trying to breed.  

The aquarium currently houses over 11,000 organisms from 600 different species. The completion of the renovation also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the aquarium.  

To make the facility more sustainable, a photovoltaic solar power system has been installed on the roof, covering between 13% and 15% of total energy consumption. 

Other upgrades include low-energy HVAC systems, aerothermal heating, and LED lighting, expected to reduce energy use by up to 70%. Natural light tubes have also been installed, achieving 100% energy savings in the penguin area, along with automatic shut-off protocols in technical and work zones. Altogether, these measures are expected to reduce total energy consumption by 21%.