Scottish Water tests plug-and-play hydropower technology

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Scottish Water is testing a hydropower technology described by project partners as "plug-and-play" at the Shieldhall Wastewater Treatment Works in Glasgow, to assess its potential to generate renewable energy from existing water and wastewater flows.

The publicly owned water utility is collaborating with Fish Friendly Hydro (FFH) and WGM Engineering to test a floating turbine that can generate electricity without requiring major modifications to existing infrastructure. As part of the trial, FFH's PicoStream turbine has been installed at the Shieldhall Wastewater Treatment Works. The system captures energy from flowing water in the treatment process, utilizing water flows that would not otherwise be used for power generation.

The project stems from a collaborative innovation initiative driven by the Hydro Nation Chair, involving Scottish Water, WGM Engineering, Zero Waste Scotland, RMAS, and the Universities of Edinburgh and Stirling. The partners explored circular economy opportunities in the water and wastewater sector and identified the PicoStream turbine as a technology capable of providing continuous renewable energy generation with minimal installation requirements.

Fraser Simpson, Product Lead for Major Projects at Scottish Water, said the company is committed to exploring innovative solutions to help reduce its carbon footprint and enhance site energy resilience. Sam Maitland, Managing Director of Fish Friendly Hydro, said the trial is a step toward demonstrating the important role of low-impact hydropower in the transition to net zero, noting the vast untapped energy potential within water infrastructure. Jason Crum, Director of WGM Engineering, said the company is pleased to collaborate with FFH to introduce this technology to the water industry, showcasing how the combination of innovation, engineering expertise, and new technologies can unlock practical renewable energy solutions.

Scottish Water stated that if the trial is successful, the technology could be deployed at other sites to increase renewable energy generation using existing infrastructure and support its net-zero goals.

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