Electricty from turbines installed in city water pipes

[RANDY $]

Water flowing through the city’s pipes will generate electricity like a dam with none of the environmental consequences.
You’d be forgiven if the phrase “Portland goes green with innovative water pipes” doesn’t immediately call to mind thoughts of civil engineering and hydro-electric power. And yet, that’s exactly what Oregon’s largest city has done by partnering with a company called Lucid Energy to generate clean electricity from the water already flowing under its streets and through its pipes.

Portland has replaced a section of its existing water supply network with Lucid Energy pipes containing four forty-two inch turbines. As water flows through the pipes, the turbines spin and power attached generators, which then feed energy back into the city’s electrical grid. Known as the “Conduit 3 Hydroelectric Project,” Portland’s new clean energy source is scheduled to be up and running at full capacity in March. According to a Lucid Energy FAQ detailing the partnership, this will be the “first project in the U.S. to secure a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for renewable energy produced by in-pipe hydropower in a municipal water pipeline."

Portland Now Generates Electricity From Turbines Installed In City Water Pipes

Water flowing through the city’s pipes will generate electricity like a dam with none of the environmental consequences.

www.good.is

 

[Ole Waru]

Does it make sense to pump water through pipes and put obstructions (turbines) to generate energy from the pumped water, unless the water moves by gravity the net energy gain will be negative

 

[RANDY $]

Does it make sense to pump water through pipes and put obstructions (turbines) to generate energy from the pumped water, unless the water moves by gravity the net energy gain will be negative

Fast Company points out that, in order to be cost and energy effective, Portland’s new power generators must be installed in pipes where water flows downhill, without having to be pumped, as the energy necessary to pump the water would negate the subsequent energy gleaned. However, Fast Company also notes that the system does more than simply provide electricity: It can monitor both the overall condition of a city’s water supply network as well as assess the drinking quality of the water flowing through it.

 

[Gus Weyne]

I think about this when I walk down Valley Road towards town... deep trenches, kwanza hapo karibu na junction ya statehouse ...lots of water flowing downhill at a considerable speed...but what do I know?

 

[shocks]

Does it make sense to pump water through pipes and put obstructions (turbines) to generate energy from the pumped water, unless the water moves by gravity the net energy gain will be negative

Lazima the water is flowing by gravity down a steep slope, anything other than that then the guys running the pipelines are bonkers

 

[Aviator]

Cunt work here.
Our pipes are dry.