Energy recovery in water distribution networks and investigation of the use of water turbines applications to reduce water losses: The example of Antalya city

The aim of this study is to investigate the use of water turbines to reduce water losses from water distribution networks and to recover energy at the same time. This study was conducted using data sets collected from a selected number of the District Metered Areas (DMAs) of the drinking water distribution network in Konyaaltı district, Antalya City. At first, the average hourly, monthly and yearly flow rates and water pressures were calculated using the 5-minute interval monitoring results of flow rates and water pressures at the DMAs starting from June 2009 till May 2010. Excess water pressure values were determined using the previously determined optimum pressure values by another study. Afterwards, the suitable turbine types were determined and the expected energy productions were calculated. Also, the energy productions were calculated under the scenario of reducing total water losses to 25% of the supplied water volumes. Cost analyses of applying the turbines in the selected DMAs were performed. Moreover, reductions of CO2 emissions as a result of using the turbines were calculated. Reducing the CO2 emission which triggers the global warming can lead to several benefits for the environment. The conducted study showed that the use of turbines in water distribution networks is visible and has many economical and environmental advantages.