Abstract
The use of micro-hydropower (MHP) for energy recovery in water distribution networks is becoming increasingly widespread. The incorporation of this technology, which offers low-cost solutions, allows for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions linked to energy consumption. In this work, the MHP energy recovery potential in Spain from all available wastewater discharges, both municipal and private industrial, was assessed, based on discharge licenses. From a total of 16,778 licenses, less than 1% of the sites presented an MHP potential higher than 2 kW, with a total power potential between 3.31 and 3.54 MW. This total was distributed between industry, fish farms and municipal wastewater treatment plants following the proportion 51–54%, 14–13% and 35–33%, respectively. The total energy production estimated reached 29 GWh∙year−1, from which 80% corresponded to sites with power potential over 15 kW. Energy-related industries, not included in previous investigations, amounted to 45% of the total energy potential for Spain, a finding which could greatly influence MHP potential estimates across the world. The estimated energy production represented a potential CO2 emission savings of around 11 thousand tonnes, with a corresponding reduction between M€ 2.11 and M€ 4.24 in the total energy consumption in the country.
Highlights
The increase in global energy consumption [1] has been transformed into a rise in fossil fuel demand, led by natural gas, representing 44% of the global annual primary energy demand [2]
The use of water by sectors is clearly led by the primary sectors, while industry and municipal water supply represents around 8% of total water use [3]
It is not easy to estimate real values of water consumption in industries, nor is it easy to access to real data for specific products
Summary
The increase in global energy consumption [1] has been transformed into a rise in fossil fuel demand, led by natural gas, representing 44% of the global annual primary energy demand [2] This growth is driven by an economy with increasing energy requirements due to the technological revolution and, above all, the demand for cooling, heating and transport. In this context, global energy-related CO2 emissions grew by 1.7% in 2018 to reach a historic high of 33.1 annual Gt CO2 , which represents an increase of around 0.5% for every 1% growth in global economic output, despite the growth of renewable energies [2]. Energy requirements related to the industry sector reached 261 million tonnes
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