Case Study (26 KB PDF)

Summary

Is it possible to produce electricity from drinking water supply systems in mountain areas? In order to answer this question, a programme of studies and analyses of the conditions of implementing such equipment has been initiated in 1999 in four European regions (France, Switzerland, Portugal and Austria). This project made it possible to develop a software of technical and economic pre-sizing which aim is to measure opportunity to install a turbine in a drinking water supply system (or at the exit of wastewater treatment plants).

Results

A total of about 40 feasibility studies were realised over the last 5 years, for a 1.5 MW (non-exhaustive) potential of electricity production.

Currently 3 small plants are in study in Rhône-Alpes (average power of 50 kW).

Consultants specialised in microhydraulic are now able to widen their sphere of activity to the technique of production of electricity from drinking water supply system. The main advantage of this technology comes from the fact that it has absolutely no environmental impact (using existing water supply systems), has a low cost (for the same reason) and produce a completely renewable source of energy.