
The Electronic Engineering department participates in the project "Improving the sustainability of drinking water distribution systems through the application of hydroelectric technology (TURBINES)"
Summary of the initial objectives of the project
The main objective of the project is to take advantage of the excess pressures produced in the drinking water supply networks of cities to generate electricity from a renewable resource such as water and the use of turbination systems. To achieve this, the following specific objectives are defined: to develop a tool to support decision-making in the selection of the most appropriate generation equipment; to electrically characterise the turbination equipment to maximise the available energy; and to implement four case studies, each with different characteristics and uses in order to demonstrate that hydraulic energy and its use in the supply networks of cities has the potential to be profitable and contribute to climate neutrality.
Results achieved
In the project, 4 energy production installations have been installed by means of turbination, 3 of them in the drinking water distribution network of the city of Valencia and 1 in the municipality of Manises. The energy generated in the València supply network is used for self-consumption in the network itself and to supply public services, such as a PUSDAR cold water fountain located between Avenida Tomás Sala and Calle San Vicente. On the other hand, the Manises turbine uses the energy for self-consumption on the grid. The most relevant results also include the development of a tool to support the selection of the optimal power generation equipment and its most profitable operating model. In addition, an electrical characterisation of the synchronous turbine equipment has been carried out and regulation strategies have been defined.
Differential value compared to other market alternatives
The differential value of the project and its results lies in the adaptation of conventional and standard equipment to take advantage of the energy dissipated in drinking water distribution networks. Specific tools are available to select the most suitable equipment and installations capable of adapting to consumer demand, producing electricity continuously. This approach allows a simple and economical implementation at a global level, contributing to the development of smart cities and promoting their decarbonisation.
Commercial interest and proximity to the market
The project is consolidated as a benchmark in sustainable innovation as it has been implemented in four use cases with different working conditions, pressures and flow rates, which not only gives it diverse technical characteristics, but also demonstrates its high replicability in different environments. The use of hydropower in distribution networks, together with the methodology developed and the use of a digital tool for the optimal selection of equipment, positions it as a highly relevant project in the market. Furthermore, its alignment with EU green policies contributes to the generation of clean energy and the decarbonisation of cities, reinforcing both its commercial proximity and its impact on the energy transition.
Contribution of partners and/or contracted entities
The project is led by EMIVASA, responsible for the design and implementation of the hydraulic generation equipment in the supply network of the city of Valencia. EMIMET, for its part, has been responsible for the implementation of the equipment in the metropolitan area of Valencia, as well as optimising its regulation to improve energy efficiency. The University of Valencia (UVEG) is responsible for the electrical characterisation of the turbines and PATs under different conditions, in order to develop strategies that allow the equipment to adapt to the variability of flow and pressure in the drinking water supply networks, maximising energy production. Finally, the Instituto Tecnológico de la Energía (ITE) has developed an application to support decision-making in the installation of turbines, considering technical, economic and social factors.