Assessment of Hydropower Potential in Wastewater Systems and Application in a Lowland Country, Lithuania

Abstract

This paper focuses on possible power generation by micro-hydro turbines integrated into lowland wastewater systems, which convert the potential energy of effluents in pipes into electric power. While other European countries have widely invested in this technology, Lithuania and other Baltic countries are still behind with their potential development rate. A search for potential micro-hydro sites was carried out, and a methodology for assessing water resources for an ungauged wastewater network is proposed herein. Particularities of wastewater flow patterns are briefly reviewed, and turbine operational constraints are analyzed. The hydro turbines available on the market to be installed in wastewater systems that meet lowland conditions are discussed. Available tools on the hydropower market to conduct a preliminary assessment of potential sites for urban water networks are considered. Multicriteria analysis is performed to select optimal projects by assessing the relevant economic, technical, and environmental criteria in water networks. The outcomes of this study can be used for unlocking the hydropower potential of wastewater systems in low-lying areas.

Generation of Electricity From a Hydraulic Turbine in the Djonou River (Benin)

“…The geometric and hydraulic characteristics of Archimedean screws collected in the works of Brada, 1993Brada, , 1999, Lashofer et al [51,52,53], Lubitz et al [54], Lyons [55], Yulistiyanto et al [20], Maulana et al [12], Saroinsong et al [8], Alonso-Martinez et al [7], Khan, et al [17], Rohmer et al [36], Erinofiardia et al [38] and Dellinger et al [48] indicate that the interior and exterior radius of the Archimedean screw vary respectively from 0.030 m to 0.525 m and from 0.055 m to 0.265 m. The pitch of the screw is between 0.054 m and 1.22 m with a number of screw blades ranging from 1 to 10. The angle of inclination of the screw is generally chosen between 17 • and 45 • The length of the screw and the water flow rate can reach 5.3 m and 1.2 m 3 /s respectively.…”

“…This is the case of Benin which has an important hydraulic potential unexploited until now. It is therefore necessary to think of means of energy production by hydroelectricity at a lower cost [5,6,7]. The Archimedean screw which is a technology that makes it possible to exploit low water flow rates and low head heights on hydroelectric sites such as small rivers or streams [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and in areas remote areas that are difficult to access via the national electricity grid [17] is therefore an asset for Benin.…”

The pump as a turbine: A review on performance prediction, performance improvement, and economic analysis

“…Additionally, when operating in reverse mode, pumps can be utilized to generate electrical power. PAT technology finds application in various fields, including Pico/micro-hydropower projects [ [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] ], water supply/distribution systems [ [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] ], reverse osmosis systems [ 29 , 30 ], pressure-reducing systems [ 31 , 32 ], and power recovery in irrigation and industrial piping networks [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Assessment of a Francis Micro Hydro Turbine Performance Installed in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

“…Another advantage is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in such plants, which can use water energy as a supplement to conventional sources based on non-renewable fuels, e.g., hard coal and lignite, natural gas, and petroleum [9]. Moreover, in contrast to hydropower plants located on rivers or water reservoirs, siting such a solution in an existing anthropogenic facility limits several environmental impacts, for example, the migration of aquatic organisms, alteration of conditions for transport, and accumulation of bottom sediments, resettlement of people, or effects on oxygen and thermal conditions of water within hydropower plants [10,11]. Anthropogenic objects are also usually monitored in the context of various water quality parameters and environmental impacts, which facilitates using such a solution [12].…”