Payback Period Research Articles

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Different Buildings Through Reuse of Treated Greywater

The fact that the impacts of climate change cannot be prevented in the short term has increased the importance of climate change adaptation activities, and many national and international studies have been initiated in this regard. Greywater reuse (GWR) activities have become important methods recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for adaptation to climate change. This study selects GWR from 3 different real typologies, a hotel, a residential building, and an industrial plant planned in Izmir Province of Türkiye, to design greywater systems followed by cost-benefit analyses. The applicability of GWR systems in these typologies has been analyzed, and comparisons have been made. GWR systems at the project design stage eliminate the need for installation modifications. Therefore, it is concluded that new buildings should be designed to integrate these alternative water resource systems. Recovered water through the installation of GWR systems is recommended to be used as flushing water, and the excess for garden irrigation, car washing and cleaning. The payback periods were calculated as 12 years for the hotel and industrial plant and 6 years for the residential building. The water savings were calculated as 46% for the hotel, 44% for the residential building, and 29% for the industrial plant. The results put forth the feasibility of this alternative water resource.

Simulation and Economical Analysis of Hydro-Nd Process for the Recovery of Rare Earth from End-of-Life Permanent Magnets: NEW-RE and INSPIREE projects

The growing demand for rare earth elements (REEs) and sustainable development issues have made the REEs recovery from permanent magnets (PMs) attract the attention of many researchers in the last decade. The NEW-RE and INSPIREE projects have been introduced to evaluate the recovery of REE elements from permanent magnets on a pilot and industrial scale. In this research, the economic aspect of the mentioned projects was performed using SuperPro software. The main aim of the work is to highlight the critical aspects of the process for a targeted optimization. The results showed that the CAPEX and OPEX for treating 3,600 tons/year of permanent magnets are 9 and 110 million euros, respectively, and an EBITDA of 4.8 million euros can be achieved (payback period less than two years). In the economic model, the cost of spent PMs was considered equal to 50% of its REEs value (14,251 €/ton). Also, it was found that the main OPEX costs are raw materials (65%) and energy (16%), respectively. It needs to be pointed out that the maximum price of permanent magnets can be 15,230 €/ton (BEP).

Comprehensive evaluation of CCUS technology: A case study of China's first million-tonne CCUS-EOR project

CCUS, an emerging technology for reducing carbon emission, plays a crucial role in achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. CCUS technology exemplified by CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is gradually progressing from project demonstration to large-scale application. However, the commercial application still faces uncertainties in economic cost, energy efficiency and environmental benefits. This paper takes China's first million-tonne CCUS-EOR project (Qilu Petrochemical-Shengli Oilfield CCUS-EOR project) as an example, and establishes a comprehensive research framework for evaluating CCUS from the three dimensions of energy, environment, and economy, based on economic viability, energy input-output analysis, and carbon input-output analysis. The results demonstrate that during the project lifecycle, when the average oil price is $90/bbl, the project's NPV is $56.09 million, the project's IRR is 13.4 %, the payback period is 8.34 years, and the threshold oil price for the project to be economically profitable is $81.52/bbl. Furthermore, the Energy Return on Investment (EROI) of the project is 9.09, which considerably superior to that of the Shengli Oilfield's non-EOR, and the net energy output is approximately 18,472.57 kilobarrels. The Carbon Return on Investment (CROI) of the project is 4.12, with significant environmental benefits, and the cumulative net carbon emission reduction is approximately 8078.55 kilotonnes. Furthermore, the trends in EROI and CROI of the CCUS-EOR project demonstrate nearly opposite trajectories. The variation trends in EROI emerge N-shaped curve, while that of CROI emerge S-shaped curve. In summary, the Qilu Petrochemical-Shengli Oilfield CCUS-EOR project exhibits notable advantages in terms of energy efficiency and environmental benefits. However, the threshold oil price for triggering economic profitability is relatively high, which may pose certain economic risks to investors during periods of low oil price.

Об экономической целесообразности применения мобильных пунктов воздействия в Краснодарской противоградовой службе

The article presents a classification of the causes of hail omissions in the Krasnodar Anti-Hail Service, made on the basis of the results of investigations of cases of large hail strikes in recent years, presented in the annual reports of the service. Of all the reasons for hail skips, the main attention is paid to a group of reasons due to shortcomings in the layout of impact points in the protected area, namely the presence of an extensive non-shootable area located on the borders of the Western, Chamlyk and Mostovsky anti-hail detachments. The article examines the issue of the economic feasibility of using mobile points of influence on hail processes in the Krasnodar anti-hail service to solve the problem of the non-shooting area between detachments located in the south-west of the protected area. The calculation method is described, according to which the maximum num-ber of mobile impact points was determined, which, from the point of view of profitability, it is advisable to deploy to solve this problem in the non-shootable area between anti-hail detachments. The article also evaluates the payback period of measures related to the deployment of a given number of mobile impact points, in the sense of exceeding the cost of prevented damage over the costs necessary to deploy a given number of mobile impact points.

New methods of investment prioritization in the development of cellular networks in Russia

Subject. The article presents a new enhanced method of prioritizing investments in the construction of mobile networks to increase the effectiveness of management decisions. Objectives. The study aims to develop an improved methodology for prioritizing investments in the construction of cellular networks in Russia, taking into account market dynamics. Methods. I apply a comprehensive approach to the exploration of investment prioritization methods, general scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge, like system and functional-structural analysis, observation, classification, analysis of the best practices, synthesis and generalization of existing scientific and practical data. Results. The article offers a new method of investment prioritization based on more accurate forecasting of incremental revenues, considering the impact of the time lag between the change in market share by base stations and the change in market share by revenue. Conclusions. The proposed method relies on the assessment of incremental revenues, considering the impact of the time lag on increasing market share by revenue with an increase in market share for base stations. This factor directly affects the payback period of investments and allows more accurate ranking of regional branches of telecommunications operators, when deciding on investments in network construction for various subjects of the Russian Federation.

Strategic investments in mobile and stationary energy storage for low-carbon power systems

The main feature and trend of the distribution system is the integration of renewable energy with high penetration rates. The variability and zero marginal cost characteristics of renewable energy will lead to drastically fluctuating locational marginal prices. In the deregulated electricity market, merchants have incentives to utilize energy storage and price arbitrage. Mobile energy storage has a short capital payback period and is widely recognized for transferring energy in the temporal and spatial dimensions. This paper analyses the interaction between merchants and distribution system operators and presents a hybrid energy storage strategic investment framework using bi-level programming. In the upper-level problem, the merchant formulates the capacity, location, and operation strategy of different energy storage to maximize the market revenue of hybrid energy storage, which is paid for by the locational marginal price. In the lower-level problem, the distribution system operator develops an optimal dispatch strategy considering renewable energy and merchant investments. A joint energy and reserve market clearing procedure is performed to derive the locational marginal prices. In the lower-level problem, a data-driven solution strategy based on machine learning is introduced. It uses deep neural networks to approximate the mapping relationship between distribution system states and locational marginal prices. The presented methodology is implemented in an IEEE-33 node system. The results demonstrate that, compared to the basic case, the hybrid energy storage investment strategy has led to an 8.1 % increase in merchant profits and a 12.9 % reduction in the operational costs of the distribution network. The deep neural network approximator fully avoids the lower-level problem with less than 5 % optimality loss.

Optimal solution for PV integrated with smart grid connected fast charging EV station: A case study for Jaipur

Current research study investigates the optimal solution for integrating photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with a smart grid-connected fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) station in Jaipur, India, using HOMER software for simulation. The study aims to develop a cost-effective and sustainable charging infrastructure specifically designed for e-rickshaws and personal vehicles, targeting reduced electricity costs. The findings demonstrate that a hybrid Solar and Grid-integrated EV charging station significantly lowers operational costs while promoting renewable energy adoption. The optimized Solar + grid system, compared to a traditional grid-only model, achieves substantial savings, with an average annual energy bill reduction of ₹26,17,806. Despite an initial capital expenditure of ₹50,22,895, the system's financial viability is affirmed by a rapid payback period of 1.9 years (simple) or 2.1 years (discounted) and an impressive internal rate of return (IRR) of 51.3%. Over a 25-year project lifespan, the system is projected to generate total savings of ₹6,54,45,150. The analysis considers various financial metrics, including monthly and annual energy costs, demand charges, and fixed charges, providing a comprehensive overview of the economic benefits. The results underline the importance of incorporating solar power into EV charging stations to reduce overall energy expenses and enhance long-term sustainability. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers, energy managers, and stakeholders, highlighting the economic and environmental advantages of solar-integrated charging solutions in urban settings.

Optimization of Solar PV System Efficiency in Bangladesh

This paper presents a comprehensive review and analysis of Sarishabari Engreen Solar Plant Ltd., a 3.3 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system located in Sarishabari, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. The study evaluates the plant's economic and operational performance, revealing a competitive payback period of 10.1 years and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.11 USD/kWh. These metrics highlight the plant's financial viability, largely due to the low cost of public land used for construction. However, profitability may be challenged if similar projects require significant investments in private land acquisition. Key areas for improvement identified include optimizing the tilt angle and integrating smart automation systems. Additionally, the potential for hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar and wind power is discussed. The paper also provides actionable recommendations for future renewable projects, emphasizing the importance of advanced technologies, and supportive policies. These insights aim to inform the optimization of existing solar PV systems and guide the development of future renewable energy projects in Bangladesh, contributing to the country's sustainable energy goals.

Life cycle carbon emission assessment and carbon payback period analysis for the regeneration of old residential areas in cold regions: Case study in Qingdao, China

Communities urgently need to explore green and low-carbon transformation pathways due to high energy consumption and carbon emissions. However, existing studies lack a comprehensive assessment of carbon emissions and analysis regarding carbon reduction during renovation of old residential areas in cold regions. Therefore, this study employs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the payback period method to evaluate carbon emissions throughout the life cycle comprehensively. It constructs a carbon-emission calculation model based on LCA, specifically tailored to the retrofitting of old residential areas in cold cities. Additionally, it investigates the effectiveness of three typical retrofit measures undertaken in Qingdao, a region located in the cold A zone, focusing on whole-life-cycle energy savings and carbon reduction. The findings reveal that the average annual carbon emission intensity per unit area for Cases 1, 2, and 3 is 12.59 kg-CO2 e/(m2·a), 27.05 kg-CO2 e/(m2·a), and 23.39 kg-CO2 e/(m2·a), respectively. Their corresponding carbon payback periods were 6.06, 7.23, and 16.00 years, respectively, which could be further shortened through material recycling. The environmental impact assessment of typical retrofitting measures contributes to the promotion of sustainable development. Furthermore, this study offers guidance for establishing an effective assessment system that supports the design of energy-saving retrofits.

Kinerja Finansial Usaha Ternak Babi di Kecamatan Rahong Utara Kabupaten Manggarai

A study was conducted in North Rahong District, Manggarai Regency. This research aims to analyze the income and financial feasibility of pig farming businesses in North Rahong District, Manggarai Regency. The sampling method is carried out in two stages. In the first stage, sample villages were determined from 12 villages, 4 sample villages were purposively determined by considering having the largest number of pigs. The second stage of determining sample breeders was carried out non-proportionately at random, where 15 respondents were taken from each village to obtain 60 respondents. Primary data was obtained through direct observation and interviews with breeders based on a list of questions that had been prepared, while secondary data was obtained through documented reports from relevant agencies and literature. The data analysis method is income analysis and financial analysis using the criteria for net investment B/C, BEP unit, BEP rupiah, and Payback Period. The research results show that the average total income is IDR 9,079,804.89/year, namely 37.61% is cash income and 62.99% is non-cash income. The results of the financial feasibility analysis show that the pig farming business in North Rahong District is financially feasible with a B/C value of 0.85, unit BEP of 0.33 ST, Rupiah BEP of IDR 3,200,999.78 and PP value of 1 year (12 month).

Analisis Kelayakan Investasi Smart Homestay Bu Ai Di Situs Wisata Gunung Padang

The research aims to assess the investment feasibility of Bu Ai's smart homestay. Bu Ai's smart homestay investment feasibility assessment is one of the Matching Fund Grant programs. The subject of this research is Bu Ai's Smart Homestay Business located in Kp.Gunung Padang, Karyamukti Kec.Campaka Kab.Cianjur West Java. This research was conducted for 5 months starting from August-December. The data used in this study are primary data. The methods used in this research are Payback Period, Net Present Value, Profitability Index and Internal Rate of Return. The results found that the feasibility assessment using PP, NPV, PI, & IRR is not feasible. However, at this time the investment is still accepted due to other factors including the location of the homestay which is located in the Gunung Padang site tourism area which has the potential to continue to increase.

Thermodynamic and Economic Analysis of the Green Ammonia Synthesis System Driven by Synergistic Hydrogen Production Using Alkaline Water Electrolyzers and Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers

Green ammonia and hydrogen from renewable energy sources have emerged as crucial players during the transition of the chemical industry from a fossil energy‐dominated economy to one that is environmentally friendly. This work proposes a green ammonia synthesis system driven by synergistic hydrogen generation using alkaline water electrolyzers (AWE) and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEMEC). The effects of hydrogen‐production ratios of PEMEC and AWE on the thermodynamic and economic performance of the system are compared and analyzed via multi‐objective optimization. The findings showed that an increase in the amount of hydrogen produced by PEMEC improves the system's energy efficiency, but the payback period is delayed because of the PEMEC high initial investment cost. The techno‐economic performance of the system at a 1:1 ratio of PEMEC to AWE hydrogen production are investigated considering the system level heat integration based on the pinch point analysis method to maximize the heat recovery. The results show that increasing the operational temperature, the pressure of the electrolyzer, and the ammonia synthesis pressure will enhance the system's thermal performance. Economic analysis shows that reducing electricity prices and electrolyzer investment costs will be the key to achieving the economic feasibility of the green ammonia system.

Perencanaan Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya (PLTS) Sistem Hybrid Pada Jaringan Kelistrikan Di Rumah Sakit Umum Yarsi Pontianak

Electrical energy is very important in everyday life to support the activities of various sectors. Fossil fuels as an energy source are a top priority, therefore renewable energy is an alternative to replace the limitations of fossil fuels which is the main priority in efforts to generate electrical energy in Indonesia. The high intensity of sunlight in Indonesia, especially in Pontianak City, is very suitable for building a Solar Power Plant (PLTS). The aim of this research is to find out how much potential PLTS has using applications PVsyst 7.3by utilizing the roof of the hospital building. This research uses three methods for economic analysis and analyzing the feasibility of PLTS. The method used isNet Present Value (NPV), Profitability Index (PI), and Discounted Payback Period (DPP). The results of research carried out using Software PVsyst 7.3 It was found that the PLTS system was installed on the roof of YARSI Pontianak General Hospital with a slope angle of 4O namely 115 kWp with the type of solar panel used being the Jinko Solar Tiger Neo N-type 72HL4-BDV 580Wp 198 units, 3 inverters of the SUN2000-30/36/40KTL-M3 type with a capacity of 40 kW, and batteries with type Sunlight RES OPzS with a capacity of 3060 Ah. Based on the results of calculations that have been carried out, the initial investment required is IDR. 1,578,472,422. Analysis of the economic feasibility of PLTS using 3 methods has been carried out to obtain an NPV value of Rp. 797.610.941,86, PI value of 1.505, and DPP value of 14 years. The three methods used in this research show that PLTS is feasible.

Thermo-economic-environmental analysis of a biomass-fueled natural convection dryer with thermal storage materials

Using biomass as a fuel in dryers decreases reliance on fossil fuels and encourages the adoption of renewable energy sources, contributing to the overall energy security of the region. In order to achieve this, a biomass-fueled natural convection dryer has been developed, and the effects of thermal storage materials like paraffin wax and pebbles are assessed to evaluate the thermo-economic-environmental analysis of the dryer for ginger drying. The research aims to examine the energy and exergy efficiency and to verify the environmental and economic feasibility of using these thermal storage materials in the dryer. The experiments are conducted under different circumstances, including cases without thermal storage materials, using only paraffin wax or pebbles, and simultaneously using both materials. The results indicate that combining thermal storage materials yields the highest heat energy retention, maintaining higher temperatures for longer durations, and demonstrating superior energy and exergy efficiency. The dryer is also found to have a positive environmental impact with an energy payback period of 1 year and the potential to mitigate 22.82–22.89 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime. The financial assessment of the dryer shows that it has a payback period of 0.31–0.37 years and can produce 2218.38–2223.91 kg of dried ginger annually.Graphical

Hydrogen production from treated wastewater powered by solar–wind energy: Feasibility analysis and optimal planning

Wastewater treatment plants can provide a sustainable solution for hydrogen production by harnessing renewable energy and using treated water as feedstock as hydrogen demands in the future are expected to increase significantly. This study provides a decision-making model that enables the determination of optimal capacities of solar power, wind power, reverse osmosis, electrolyser, storage tank, and optimal hourly grid import. Such a project simultaneously provides electricity for hydrogen production and wastewater treatment, and sells hydrogen and renewable energy certificates. The planning aims to maximise the annual profits and renewable energy ratio. The case study shows that coupling a 120,000 m3/day plant scale with a 5 ton/day hydrogen facility shows a gross profit margin of 35.2%, a payback period of 7.2 years. This outperforms scenarios that exclude land and energy constraints in wastewater treatment plants. The influence of renewable energy ratios, hydrogen demand, and the prospective water usage for future regional scenario are further discussed.

Techno-economic feasibility of CO2 utilization for production of green urea by Indian cement industries

The cement industry contributes substantially to global carbon emissions, necessitating urgent adoption of mitigation pathways aligned with climate goals. This study investigates the technical and economic viability of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from cement plants in India and using that captured CO2 to produce green urea. The research aims to determine the feasibility of the CCUS approach as a practical way to reduce CO2 emissions from cement production while also boosting India's self-sufficiency in producing urea, a crucial fertilizer. The research uses a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) framework to assess various factors, including the technological readiness of CCUS technologies, the capital and operating costs of setting up and running such a system, the market demand for green urea, and the potential reduction in CO2 emissions. The study focused on 32 major cement plants in India, using data from their annual reports to inform the MCA model with an assumption of a post-combustion Monoethanolamine (MEA) scrubbing capacity CO2 capture capacity of 0.5 million tonnes per year per plant and used existing data and modeling techniques to analyze the feasibility of converting the captured CO2 into urea. The key findings indicate that this approach is promising and projects a 12.4% reduction in CO2 emissions from the cement industry if these 32 plants implement the CCUS technology. Additionally, it highlights a favorable market for the green urea produced, with an estimated output of 21.82 million tonnes per year, enough to offset a significant portion of India's reliance on urea imports. Financially, the study projects a six-year payback period and a 16.7% return on investment. It concludes that implementing CCUS technology to create green urea in Indian cement plants is technically and economically feasible. The approach has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions while also supporting India's goal of self-sufficiency in urea production. However, further investigation and pilot-scale projects are recommended to validate the model's findings and optimize various aspects, such as managing flue gas impurities and leveraging waste heat for energy efficiency.

Multi-objective optimal sizing and techno-economic analysis of on- and off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for EV charging stations

Integrating electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) with renewable energy systems requires the consideration of several factors during the planning stage, including environmental impact, economic viability, grid reliability, and self-sufficiency. Therefore, this study conducts a multi-objective optimal sizing of on- and off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for EVCSs. The sizing problem is solved using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). Subsequently, the best suitable solutions from the obtained non-dominated solutions are selected using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, prioritizing the objective functions based on diverse interests of different stakeholders (large and small private investors and governmental entities). Finally, a techno-economic analysis is made considering payback period, profitability index (PI), and internal rate of return (IRR). The results show that on-grid systems show high economic viability with payback periods between 1.98 and 7.72 years, an average PI of 5.07 and an average IRR of 23.97%. Although off-grid systems present lower economic viability with payback periods between 8.77 and 22.42 years, an average PI of 1.68 and an average IRR of 4.91%, in certain cases they reach investable levels with payback periods below 10 years, PI above 2, and IRR above the interest rate.

Techno economic analysis of PV pumping system for rural village in East Java

Renewable energy systems offer a sustainable alternative for addressing energy needs, especially in rural settings. This study investigates the optimization of a hybrid photovoltaic (PV) pumping system by minimizing the Cost of Energy (COE), maximizing the Renewable Fraction (RF), and reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions (ECO₂). The optimization process was carried out using Python to implement the Queen Honeybee Migration (QHBM) algorithm, which evaluated three distinct scenarios to determine the most efficient system configuration. The optimal setup comprised 48 units of 600 Wp PV panels, 17 units of 250 Ah batteries, and 3 units of 8,000 W inverters. This configuration achieved a COE of $0.041 per kWh, an RF of 43.96 %, and an ECO₂ reduction of 118.49 kgCO₂e, with a cumulative objective value of -146.76. A comparative analysis with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm indicated that QHBM excels in optimizing RF and ECO₂, whereas PSO demonstrates marginally superior performance in reducing COE. The economic evaluation reveals a Net Present Value (NPV) of $40,206.11 over a 35-year period, a Return on Investment (ROI) of 398 %, a Break-Even Point (BEP) of 6.45 years, and a Payback Period (PP) of 13.25 years. The system is projected to yield daily and annual cost savings of $6.33 and $2,310.90, respectively. These results underscore the efficacy of QHBM in achieving superior techno-economic and environmental performance in hybrid PV pumping systems.

Ethanol from Bagasse Obtained During Non-centrifuged Sugar Production. A Comprehensive Sustainability Analysis in the Colombian Context

AbstractThe production of biofuels is an alternative to reduce the impacts of the transformation of fossil fuel sources. In this work, the evaluation of ethanol production from the bagasse obtained during non-centrifuged sugar production (BNCS) to determine its sustainability in the Colombian context is proposed. Two pretreatments (i.e., dilute acid and alkaline) are proposed, followed by enzymatic saccharification to release glucose from cellulose. Both liquors rich in C6 sugars were followed by a fermentation stage with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the obtained ethanol concentration was measured. The process was simulated and evaluated to obtain metrics in technical, economic, environmental, and social terms. Also, an evaluation of the sustainability index of the process in the Colombian context was proposed. Diluted acid was the best processing pretreatment, reaching glucose and xylose concentrations of 15.13 g/L, and 12.15 g/L respectively, and a final ethanol concentration of 3.45 g/L. The technical analysis yielded results for Process Mass Intensity (PMI) of 38.14 and Renewable Material Index (RMI) of 5.09. The minimum process scale for economic feasibility (MPSEF) was 19.6 Ton/h. In this sense, the payback period and turnover ratio were 12 years and 35.01%, respectively. Values of 1.85 kg CO2 eq/kg ethanol for carbon footprint and 1.02 m3/kg ethanol for water depletion were also obtained. For the social analysis, the minimum-to-living wage ratio (M/L) was 1.03. Finally, the sustainability index was 75.19%, and the social and environmental values were the most influential aspects affecting the sustainability index. The results of this work allows a novelty vision related to the integral analysis of sustainability for one of Colombia’s native raw materials, and to propose viable solutions for its use, without threatening food security. Graphical Abstract

Techno-economic design and placement tool for energy recovering pressure regulating turbines in water distribution systems

Water distribution systems present poor energy efficiency due to the significant amount of energy that dissipates in the form of excess water pressure. Besides energy losses, excess pressure increases water losses due to leakages and may result in pipeline damage. The employment of micro-turbines that concurrently harness excess energy and achieve pressure management is proposed by many researchers as potential replacements to the currently used pressure reduction valves. This work relies on previous work that determines the optimal design and operating point of such turbines integrated in the power distribution system, in order to develop an algorithm that considers the economic viability of such projects. The suggested algorithm has been applied to a simulated large-scale WDS in Kentucky that contains several locations where pressure regulation is currently performed or planned due to immense local pressure. Involving the economic viability of pressure regulating turbines within the design optimization process improves pay-back period and levelized cost of energy by more than 10 % and 20 %, respectively, compared to when their design is optimized solely for pressure regulation and maximum energy yield. The application of this approach to a typical WDS allowed more than 161 MWh/year of clean energy to be produced.