Energy recovery in the water industry: an assessment of the potential of micro‐hydropower

• Published in: Water and environment journal : WEJ Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 294 - 304
• Main Authors: McNabola, A, Coughlan, P, Williams, A. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Blackwell Pub 01-06-2014; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: carbon dioxide; case studies; CO2 emissions; emissions; energy; energy recovery; hydro-power; industry; infrastructure; society; sustainability; water supply; Ireland; Eire
• ISSN: 1747-6585; 1747-6593
• DOI: 10.1111/wej.12046

Water supply is a core service on which civilised society depends. It involves considerable energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and costs. As such, scientific efforts in the water industry in recent years have focused on improving the sustainability of water supply. This paper examines the potential for energy recovery in the water industry which may be exploited through the use of mini or micro‐hydropower installations. A case study of water infrastructure in Ireland is included in the analysis to highlight the potential of this concept in practice. The results of this investigation show that in certain circumstances significant energy, environmental and economic savings are available with modest investment.