city water pipes used for generating electricity | Alternative Energy | Forums

that is simply brilliant, wonder if it affects water pressure.

PORTLAND, Ore. – A Portland water pipeline is now producing enough electricity to power more than a hundred homes.

The Portland Water Bureau is taking advantage of new technology developed here in the Rose City.

Drinking water flowing through the a water pipe below Southeast 147th Avenue and Powell Boulevard spins four turbines.

That spinning creates energy for PGE customers.

This is the first commercial application of Portland-based Lucid Energy's turbine technology.

Lucid Energy funded the $1.5 million project is sharing the revenue from the electricity sold to PGE with the water bureau.

"Energy is the single large cost, so if we can recapture energy that's already embedded in the flow, we can reduce the cost for everyone who needs it," said Gregg Semler, president of Lucid Energy.

Unlike hydropower generated from dams, this technology will not hurt any migratory fish, like salmon, or have any impact on the environment.

Lucid Energy sees more applications for the technology for companies that use huge amounts of water and also for use in agriculture.

http://www.kgw.com/s...../24085487/