In 2015, Portland put four turbines inside a 42-inch drinking-water pipe; they generated about 900 MWh a year while the city kept delivering water normally

In Portland, Oregon, a groundbreaking initiative has been implemented where turbines are installed within drinking water pipes to harness electricity. By capturing energy typically lost through pressure-reducing valves, this innovative system, in operation since January 2015, successfully powers around one hundred homes each year. This project showcases how urban water infrastructure can be optimized to maximize renewable hydropower without interrupting local water services.