Innovative mini-hydro device for the recharge of electric vehicles in urban areas

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of supplying recharge points for Electric Vehicles converting water pressure in excess into electric energy from a water distribution network. A real water distribution network was analyzed, by designing a power station consisting of three components: a Pump-as-Turbine, an ad hoc generator, and a control system. The last one controls the flow rate trend at the inlet of the Pump-as-Turbine to regulate the rotational speed corresponding to the optimal range of efficiency. Energy produced permits to supply a recharging point for Electric Vehicles on site with the aim to convert water pressure generally dissipated and, consequently, lost into a renewable energy and to reduce power grid congestion. The economic analysis confirms the convenience of the proposed power station, and overall, a comparable cost with pressure reduction valve devices normally adopted to control pressure pattern and leakages of a water distribution network.

Pump as Turbine for the Energy Recovery in a Water Distribution Network: Two Italian (Apulian) Case Studies

“…Specifically, an opportunity is represented nowadays by the possibility to insert a turbine into an existing water distribution network (WDN) for energy recovery, where an excess of pressure is available and, actually, in many cases, is wasted by using pressure reduction valves (PRVs) [5]. Several studies and efforts have been carried out on this theme [6][7][8][9][10][11] with promising results, which highlighted the technical feasibility of this technology and the return in terms of the recovered energy and economic viability of the investment. Generally, the collection of reliable information about the costs and benefits of a specific renewable energy technology is an essential phase in the assessment of the most appropriate renewable energy technology to be used.…”

Coupled Electric and Hydraulic Control of a PRS Turbine in a Real Transport Water Network

“…In order to maintain hydraulic control of the network, PATs [19,20] and crossflows [21] are often coupled with electronic systems for regulation of runner rotation velocity or with installation of PRV valves in series or parallel with the PAT [22]. This type of solution to produce energy from hydro sources is also applied for the recharge of electric vehicles in urban areas [23].…”

Advances in Water Distribution Networks

“…Instead of being dissipated at control valves, the surplus of service pressure can be recovered by installing turbines or pumps operating as turbines (PATs) [22,23]. While the performance of these devices has been analysed in many contexts, e.g., [24][25][26][27], including real WDNs, e.g., [28,29], little attention has been given so far to the effects of transients generated by turbines or PAT.…”