As part of its Shaping The Future of Energy initiative, the World Economic Forum has flagged up technology which uses turbines placed inside gravity-fed water pipeline networks to generate electricity for export.
Image source: Lucid Energy
The world’s leading international political and business organisation, WEF has tweeted about the technology this morning and using the power of gravity to generate energy.
According to US-based manufacturers Lucid Energy, the LucidPipe Power System does not inhibit water delivery and operates in a wide range of pipe diameters and pressure/flows, unlike conventional hydropower and in-pipe PRV replacement technologies.
The LucidPipe™ Power System (LPS) can be placed in-line in the pipes of a water transmission network and can generate electricity from excess pressure in the pipeline, reducing the work done by pressure-reducing valves.
LPS uses patented, spherical turbines installed inside large-diameter (24” – 60”) gravity-fed water transmission pipelines. The turbines spin as water passes through them, converting an otherwise untapped energy source, the excess head pressure, into electricity. Multiple turbines can be mounted in series, one after the other, to maximize energy output.
The electricity generated by the LucidPipe Power System can be used behind the meter or turn the excess pressure into a revenue stream through power purchase agreements (PPA) sold to energy utilities.
Lucid Energy said that pipeline repairs and installations provide opportunities for water companies to deploy LucidPipe on a wide scale. For many cities and towns around the world, drinking water comes from mountain reservoirs and high elevation storage tanks.
As the water flows downhill through gravity-fed pipeline systems, it builds up considerable pressure – pressure that can be far too high for residential and commercial water delivery.
Two water utilities in the US have deployed the first generation 42” LucidPipe Power System in their transmission pipelines:
- a four-turbine system in a Portland Water Bureau pipeline in Portland, Oregon
- a single-turbine system at Riverside Public Utilities.
Image source: Lucid Energy 4 turbine system
The installations have proven the concept and now serve as models for water agencies around the world to explore the value of in-pipe hydropower.
The LucidPipe Power System is designed for use by water utilities that have:
- Gravity-fed water delivery pipelines
- Large (24” to 60” diameter) pipes with flow and pressure matched to turbine size
- Excess pressure available to be removed
- Planned pipeline repair or installation, or above-ground location
- Grid connection for sale of electricity through power purchase agreements, or
- Off-grid connection for behind-the-meter use, distributed energy, battery charging
The company hopes to work with cities to install new systems as old pipes wear out and is also hoping to expand to the developing world. The technology offers a source of remote power for remote locations outside cities and urban areas which don't have access to an electrical grid.
Lucid Energy is now in the process of filing international patents in countries around the world. It is also developing its second generation LucidPipe turbine design which will utilize advanced manufacturing technologies, significantly increase power output, operate across a wider range of pipe sizes and flows and significantly reduce capital cost.
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