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In every water delivery system throughout the United States, pressure-reducing values (PRVs) continually lower the high pressure of water so that it is suitable for customer use. A team of researchers is investigating the potential for this process to also generate electrical power, using waste energy from the reduction process.
The water in delivery systems is at a higher pressure than is ideal for customer use and the role of pressure control valves is to reduce this pressure. The team says it is a renewable energy source that converts the wasted energy in PRVs to electricity. Water distribution stations can use the generated power to supply their local loads and even sell the extra amount to power companies.Image credit: M. Etezadi-Amoli
