Hydropower Potential Assessment in Water Supply Systems

Abstract

Energy recovery in water supply systems (WSS) is environmentally friendly, since it is a renewable energy based on exploiting the excess pressure existing in water pipes for obtaining electricity. This paper presents the methodology development for the identification of the hydropower potential in WSS and the possible installations by means of a Matlab rutine. The results showed the interactions among the design flow and maximum head have provided the possible scenarios with electric potential and the selection of possible turbines. The methodology proposed allows determining the suitability of electricity production in the urban water cycle by MHPs, in order to avoid the need for the installation of dissipation devices for this energy.

Keywords

• energy recovery
• pico-hydroelectric plant
• hydro turbines
• PAT
• design steps