The LIFE TURBINES project has marked an important milestone in the city of Tortosa with the initiation of its pilot installation, one of the first demonstrations of how water pressure in urban drinking water networks can be transformed into a source of clean, renewable energy.
The energy recovered is used to fuel the filtration and refrigerate a fountain. While specific technical details of the Tortosa installation remain under wraps, the pilot reflects a key step in the project’s mission to demonstrate the viability of micro-hydropower systems in real urban environments. The installation, now operational, aligns with LIFE TURBINES’ overarching goal: to recover wasted energy from water distribution systems, helping cities reduce emissions, boost energy efficiency, and achieve their climate goals, without affecting water quality or supply.
This milestone coincided with the project’s 21st-month consortium meeting, also hosted in Tortosa, which brought together project partners, local stakeholders, and a LIFE Programme monitor to assess progress and plan future actions. Morning presentations explored the project’s growing impact across Europe, while a site visit offered a first glimpse at Tortosa’s contribution to reshaping the urban energy landscape.
“This installation represents more than a technical achievement,” said a representative from Global Omnium. “It’s a practical example of how sustainable innovation can be seamlessly integrated into daily life, bringing clean energy to public spaces while improving the efficiency of water networks.”
