Water industry could help create renewable energy

16/06/2011

A research project by Bangor University and Trinity College Dublin has investigated how upgraded water systems can help generate renewable energy that can be used by businesses to help make their gas and electricity consumption more efficient.

The institutions have been awarded £500,000 to develop hydropower turbines, which will help reduce the cost of energy in the water supply process.

Both the universities believe that the new initiatives will provide enough energy to help make firms be self-sufficient and any extra electricity they create can be sold back to the national grid.

Dr Prysor Williams, of Bangor University's School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, said: "The water industry is very energy intensive. This project could help reduce its associated environmental impact and economic cost."

And Dr Aonghus McNabola from Trinity College Dublin added that the new hydropower turbine systems technology could help improve efficiency, sustainability and electricity provisions within the industry.

The experts noted that making changes to break pressure tanks, which are installed in water networks, should be able to make them recover waste electricity, which will reduce carbon emissions and create a new source of renewable energy.

Recently, chairman and chief executive of Water Wessex Colin Skellett claimed that the water industry can help turn the tide turned in providing cheaper bills for commercial customers in the UK.

Mr Skellett told the Guardian that there are plenty of ways the sector's systems can be improved for the future and that investment will help improve its overall efficiency in the services it provides.

He noted that it is important that infrastructure projects are delivered in the UK to improve the way water is supplied to people and businesses, but also believes the right projects can help create renewable energy for the future, which will benefit many businesses.