Aurora Water, Colorado’s second-largest water provider, will install an in-conduit hydroelectric system to generate renewable energy from its drinking water system. The project, using InPipe Energy’s HydroXS technology, aligns with the city’s sustainability goals and aims to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
The HydroXS system integrates with existing water pipelines, converting excess water pressure into clean electricity. The system, which replaces a pressure-reducing valve at Aurora Water’s Gun Club pressure regulator facility, will generate 255,000kWh of energy annually when it goes online in June 2024. Over its lifespan, it is expected to offset 3,400 tons of carbon emissions.
“Aurora Water is always looking for opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to fighting climate change,” said Marshall Brown, General Manager at Aurora Water. “This approach from InPipe Energy makes sense, and we’re happy that we can evaluate this project and look for future opportunities to deploy the HydroXS across our service area to achieve our efficiency, sustainability, and resilience goals.”
The project is the first HydroXS installation in Colorado and features a new pump-as-turbine technology co-developed by InPipe Energy and Grundfos.
“Millions of miles of pipelines carrying enormous amounts of potential energy lie beneath our streets and can be tapped to generate carbon-free electricity,” said Gregg Semler, CEO of InPipe Energy. “This project in Aurora is a view into a future where we can use water in pipelines to create an abundant, predictable, and reliable source of renewable energy that will help make water more available and affordable for people all over the world.”
Beyond energy generation, the HydroXS system provides operational data, reduces water loss, and benefits from Colorado’s recent net metering rules, which make green energy investments more economical. The project also qualifies for incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
