Energy-Recovery Turbine for Water Pipes

Project Information

Pydro Turbine

Grant agreement ID: 781483

DOI

10.3030/781483

Project closed

EC signature date 19 July 2017

Start date 1 August 2017

End date 31 December 2017

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

PYDRO GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Pydro Turbine (Energy-Recovery Turbine for Water Pipes)

Reporting period: 2017-08-01 to 2017-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Water utilities are under pressure from urbanization, water scarcity, increasing energy prices and ageing water supply networks.
According to a study carried out by Sensus, one-third of the utilities around the world report a loss of more than 40% of clean water due to leaks.
Furthermore, study shows that only 1/3 of the energy used in water supply is needed for water transportation. 60% of the energy is lost through inefficiencies in pipelines.
Smart Water Networks enable utilities to identify leaks, better serve customers and conserve water. But challenges due to power supply and location have prevented the implementation of Smart Water Network (e.g. Sensors and motorized valves). Pipes are difficult to access, and there is no basic power supply in pipes as there is with other electrical utilities.
Most of the water infrastructure is located in remote and difficult to reach areas without electricity. Solutions for an autonomous power supply of smart water technologies, therefore, play a fundamental role in the smart water infrastructure.
During Phase 1, Pydro has performed a systematic and in-depth feasibility study to validate the assumptions made in the proposal.
As a result, Pydro has set for itself the goal of developing a product that offers customers an independent energy source.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first project phase, the customer requirements were further specified through qualified feedback.
The company will position itself with a modular water turbine on the emerging smart water network market.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

"The first Version of the energy recovery turbine will produce electricity for the increased power consumption of self-sufficient IoT systems along the Smart Water Network (sensors, actuators, treatment plants).”
To reduce technological development and market risks, pydro will apply a lean approach to meet the challenges of product development.
The clear demarcation from existing products of the competition lies in (a) very compact ""water-to-wire"" solution in which all necessary components are integrated in a space-saving manner, (b) a modular system which is extendable according to the local power requirements of the customer and the available flowrates and (c) counter-rotating turbine units that allow a maximum power point tracking under conditions like varying pressure and flowrates.
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