Potential Micro-Hydropower Generation in Community-Owned Rural Water Supply Networks in Ireland

Abstract

The potential of micro-hydropower generation has been evaluated in seven community-owned rural water supply networks (CORWSN) in Ireland. The replacement of the existing infrastructure in place to reduce pressure in the networks with micro-hydropower turbines (Scenario 1) was considered. New potential locations for additional pressure reduction were also considered (Scenario 2). An assessment of the energy potential and economic viability of each site was carried out, including quantification of leakage reduction impacts. While only one of the seven CORWSNs showed two potential sites with power higher than 1 kW, the power generated can still have significant impacts on local energy demands. The estimated total energy saved in Scenario 2 ranged from 0.63 MWh year−1 to 84.5 MWh year−1 according to the micro-hydropower potential in each CORWSN. Furthermore, water savings from 4348 € m−3 to 73,264 € m−3 were estimated due to the reduction of leakage volume after installing micro-hydropower turbines at the potential sites detected in Scenario 2. Thus, the water cost saving associated to the reduction of leakage volume makes the incorporation of this element in the networks feasible.

Keywords

• energy recovery
• hydropower
• water distribution network
• water saving