Water and energy are two of the most important resources of the 21st century. In particular, cities are a framework where this water-energy nexus is becoming critical due to demographic movements, economic growth and global change pressures. The current context of water scarcity and need for low carbon intensity solutions is making it a challenge to continue to deliver core urban water services without increasing the impact on the environment.

LIFE NEXUS propose a breakthrough by considering urban water networks as a source of renewable energy. The Project will show the potential of mini-hydropower systems to recover the untapped energy deriving from abundant pressure (water head) or kinetic energy (water flow) in existing European water networks.

LIFE NEXUS will be focus on Pump as Turbine (PaT), which is becoming the technological solution for micro-hydraulic projects (≤ 100 kW). A cutting-edge integration of a PaT machine together with electrical storage will be carried out to enhance the possibilities of the energy management. This innovative prototype will be installed at the entrance of the Porma Drinking Water Treatment Plant in León (Spain) and will cover the total energy demand of the installation, in addition to contributing to a significant reduction of water loss through leaks.

Despite the potential of hydropower units to produce “green electricity”, no systematic assessment has been done till the date in Europe. LIFE NEXUS will face this gap by cataloguing the potential energy recovery locations in European cities and will evaluate their technical and economic feasibility.