As the world races to meet climate neutrality targets, cities stand at the frontline of the energy transition. This transformative EU-funded initiative, LIFE TURBINES, is tapping into an often-overlooked opportunity: the energy potential hidden within urban water distribution systems. Coordinated by Global Omnium, our groundbreaking Spanish-Italian project will demonstrate how existing water infrastructure can generate clean electricity, without impacting water quality or disrupting supply.
The Challenge
The drinking water sector is a major energy consumer, accounting for up to 7% of global energy use, and as much as 30–40% in smaller municipalities. This heavy footprint not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but also strains municipal budgets. Traditionally, excess pressure in water distribution networks is dissipated as waste. LIFE TURBINES flips this paradigm.
“The idea of harnessing this surplus pressure arises from the principles of potential energy, similar to those applied in hydroelectric power plants,” says Project Manager María Pedro-Monzonís. “Our goal is to convert that pressure into electricity using compact turbines integrated directly into existing urban infrastructures.”
The Solution
LIFE TURBINES recovers this untapped energy through microturbines installed at key pressure control points in municipal water systems. These turbines generate renewable electricity, without compromising water delivery or quality.
Over 13 pilot implementations in Spain and Italy, the project will generate nearly 1 million kWh/year, avoiding over 257 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The recovered electricity will power:
– Public water fountains (refrigerated and filtered)
– Electric vehicle (EV) charging points
– Remote sensors and network devices
– Local energy communities in rural Tuscany
A digital decision-support tool is being developed to help municipalities and utilities identify optimal sites for turbines, dimension equipment, and optimize energy usage, further facilitating replication across Europe.
Case Study Locations
– Valencia City: Energy from 10 District Metered Areas will power public services like water fountains and EV chargers.
– Tortosa (Catalonia): A new ornamental and drinking water fountain in a city park will run entirely on recovered hydropower.
– Scansano (Tuscany, Italy): The electricity will supply a local rural energy community made up of farms, wineries, and eco-tourism facilities.
– Metropolitan Area of Valencia: A powerful installation near the city’s trade fair will support EV charging infrastructure and supply self-consumption in the water network.
Objectives
LIFE TURBINES aims to:
– Decarbonize the urban water cycle
– Promote self-sufficiency and renewable energy use in cities
– Support sustainable public services
– Reduce fossil fuel dependence
– Enable clean mobility through EV charging
– Combat energy poverty by offering free public utilities powered by clean energy
Methodology and Innovation
The project combines smart urban design with cutting-edge technology:
– Use of pumps-as-turbines (PATs) and compact microturbines adapted to variable pressure/flow.
– Integration with SCADA systems and real-time data analytics.
– A multi-criteria digital tool to model efficiency, cost, and optimal use scenarios for replication across Europe.
Partners
The LIFE TURBINES consortium includes stakeholders from Spain and Italy, with Global Omnium as the coordinating entity. Together, the partners bring expertise in water management, energy systems, urban planning, and citizen engagement. REDINN, EMIVASA, EMIMET, Aigües de Tortosa, Ajuntament de Tortosa, Università Politecnica delle Marche, AeioLuz, ITE and Acquedotto di Fiora complete a robust consortium of partners with plenty of innovation experience, as well as a total understanding of drinking water systems.
Project Timeline & Funding
The project will run from July 1, 2022, until its closure on December 31, 2025. With a total budget of €2,695,851, the EU Contribution (LIFE Programme) will be of €1,482,600.
Stay Connected
As LIFE TURBINES powers forward, citizens, municipalities, and policymakers alike are invited to follow the journey.
➡️ Visit www.lifeturbines.eu
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