The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) has teamed up with InPipe Energy, a California-based clean energy company, for a project that generates electricity from the flow of water within its water system. This investment aligns with EBMUD's ambitious energy policy goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and marks the first implementation of InPipe Energy's HydroXS technology in California.
The newly introduced in-conduit hydroelectric system operates similarly to traditional pressure regulating valves in EBMUD's water distribution system but incorporates a turbine to reduce water pressure in the distribution pipeline while simultaneously producing electricity. This approach establishes a reliable and clean source of power.
Installed alongside EBMUD's Piedmont Regulator, InPipe's in-conduit hydroelectric system mirrors the function of the existing regulator while yielding approximately 130,000 kWh of emission-free energy annually for onsite use. This system is projected to offset nearly 6 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
"EBMUD is always looking for innovative opportunities to meet our goal to become a carbon-neutral enterprise and contribute to fighting climate change,” said Marguerite Young, EBMUD Board Member. “This project generates clean energy while accomplishing our mission of providing clean, safe water to our customers. I'm looking forward to seeing more projects like this in our service area and around the country."
Since 2000, EBMUD has significantly reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately half through initiatives such as solar energy generation, biogas utilization, and hydroelectricity production. This latest venture into in-conduit hydroelectricity generation presents another promising avenue for reducing EBMUD's carbon footprint.
As California's second-largest water and wastewater retail utility, serving 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, EBMUD plans to assess the performance and economic viability of the pilot program. The evaluation will determine whether this site or other locations can serve as a cost-effective source of zero-emission energy.
"We will continue to implement cutting-edge solutions to meet our energy and sustainability goals, which is good for our community and the planet," affirmed EBMUD General Manager Clifford Chan.
