LucidPipe
The LucidPipe turbine designed by Lucid Energy doesn’t make use of PRV sites in the same way the other methods do, however it highlights that there are numerous different ways to exploit the energy of water within the network. It does not implement a bypass loop and is a custom designed lift-based turbine. The LucidPipe extracts only a small amount of energy of the water flow, and multiple turbines are typically employed in series. A modular section of pipe, they are placed into the pipeline and extract up to 100kW but rely on high flow rates with an application suited to large trunk mains, although as they are relatively simple devices issues such as pressure transients are limited. (22)
The power output from the LucidPipe design is dictated by velocity of the flow, rather than the pressure drop, and the system removes only a small percentage of the pressure, between 1PSI (0.069bar) and 6PSI (0.414bar). It is normally implemented as a series of turbines and to produce power at an economic scale the system relies on large flow rates. LucidPipeTM is supplied for water distribution lines from 24-60inches (610-1520mm) with an overview of the power data given in the Table 2. The primary advantage of this system is that is has a wide operating range compared to other turbines. Additionally, as only around 6PSI (0.414bar) is removed from the flow when in operation and 1PSI (0.069bar) when not operational the risk of pressure transients, which can arise from the start up and stopping of conventional turbines. (22)
Although this system has the potential to produce a large consistent baseload with little risk to the water network, there is limited application in Scotland as it requires large diameter pipes over 600mm. Additionally any pipes that meet this size requirement will likely be buried and so a large chamber would be needed, resulting in a significant infrastructure project.
LucidPipeTM power data overview
