Review of Hydropower Technology and Potential for Energy Recovery from Water Distribution Networks Towards Improvement of Their Sustainability

The supply and treatment of water is a highly energy-intensive process and is responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and economic costs. There is a worldwide recognition of the requirement for more sustainable water supply systems, and the use of small hydropower turbines within water supply networks offers a viable option for electricity generation in water distribution networks at locations of excessively high flow or pressure without compromising the level of service to consumers. This paper presents a critical review of the current state of the art and knowledge regarding the available energy potential, the hydropower technology options that are under current use and development, existing implementation projects, research activities and economic aspects of this new technological field. The challenges for the improvement of sustainability of water distribution networks through the implementation of small-scale hydropower turbines within water supply networks will be also presented and analysed.