Efficiency evaluation of a micro-generation system for energy recovery in water distribution networks

The paper deals with the efficiency evaluation of a micro-generation unit for energy recovery in water distribution networks. The analyzed system includes an electric motor-driven pump working as turbine/generator, connected to the electrical grid through a bi-directional power converter. The micro-generation unit is implemented in an experimental setup which simulates a real water network in a reduced scale. The unit was tested and analyzed in order to monitor some critical electrical quantities as well as to evaluate its generating efficiency. In the measurements campaign, various operating conditions were analyzed. The corresponding results are reported and discussed.