Existing Water Infrastructure Can Be Used to Generate More Hydropower

In a new report, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) present potential opportunities in all 50 states to utilize existing water infrastructure to harvest energy.

Researchers at ORNL conducted a systematic analysis of four types of conduits –  water supply pipelines, wastewater discharge, irrigation systems, and thermoelectric cooling water discharge. Based on their analysis, they estimate that conduit hydropower has the potential to add 1.41 gigawatts of electricity to the country’s power grid – enough to power more than a million homes. The researchers state the process to develop conduit hydropower would be relatively easy. For example, dams operators could install hydropower generators at locations with excess hydraulic head – the height of water needed for hydropower generation. In terms of conduit hydropower derived from water supply and wastewater systems specifically, they noted potential was highest in California, which had twice that of the next-highest state, New York. Colorado, Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Pennsylvania also showed significant potential. In one example provided by ORNL, a hydropower turbine was installed into an existing drinking water distribution system in Palmdale, California. The researchers hope their findings and the examples will increase awareness of conduit hydropower’s potential and more real-world applications. “By further understanding the costs and benefits of conduit hydropower, decision makers can leverage what is already available and deliver on the promise of more renewable energy,” said Shih-Chieh Kao, water power program manager at ORNL. Read a press release and the full report at ORNL.