Clean power in water supply systems as a sustainable solution: from planning to practical implementation

• Published in: Water science & technology. Water supply Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 39 - 49
• Main Authors: RAMOS, H. M, MELLO, M, DE, P. K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London International Water Association 01.03.2010; IWA Publishing
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide emissions; Clean energy; Climate change; Climate policy; Computer applications; Computer simulation; Distribution. Storage; Drinking water; Energy consumption; Energy dissipation; Energy efficiency; Energy exchange; Energy resources; Environmental management; Environmental policy; Exact sciences and technology; Experimental research; Hydraulic systems; Laboratory experimentation; Mitigation; Pressure; Project development; Renewable energy; Renewable energy sources; Renewable resources; Resource management; Rivers; Stochasticity; Sustainability; Turbine engines; Turbines; Water conveyance; Water supply; Water supply systems; Water supply. Pipings. Water treatment; pump as turbine; Micropower plant; Water management; renewable energy sources; Water supply; Energy recovery; Water distribution; Experimental study; Modeling; Implementation; Dynamical climatology; Case study; Climate change; Renewable energy; Energetic efficiency; energy efficiency; Valve; Pressure reducer; pressure reducing valves; water supply systems
• ISSN: 1606-9749; 1607-0798
• DOI: 10.2166/ws.2010.720

Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources have drawn a greater attention by EU, in particular for climate change policies as it can substantially cut down CO2 emissions to meet EU environmental obligations. It is well established that in drinking pipe systems Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV) are used as a mean for excess energy dissipation for the purpose of pressure control. This type of solution can be adopted, as a mitigation method to control the system losses, in particular, the available overload, which must have to be dissipated to avoid leakage or rupture occurrence in the pipe system. The use of micro-hydro systems seems to provide a better approach as a sustainable solution in terms of controlling the system pressure as well as to provide a non-negligible income by producing clean energy. Computational simulations, experimental research and engineering project development are carried out to analyse and compare the hydraulic system behaviour between a PRV and a pump working as a turbine (PT). This research creates an important challenge for seasonal stabilization of the energy supply by using water supply systems, due to the stochastic nature of river-hydro resources.