Using water to power itself
Hydroelectricity is among the cleanest of today’s clean energies. As water flows through a hydraulic turbine connected to a generator — often at a dam — its kinetic energy creates electricity, and it emerges at the other side no worse for the wear. This is a wonderful way to produce power in places blessed with raging rivers.
Israel isn’t, which would make it an unlikely place for a breakthrough in hydroelectric technology. But HydroSpin, based at Kibbutz Lavi in northern Israel, has come up with a new way to power a “smart water network” (SWAN) by marshaling the flow of water in pipes.
“Our system generates one to five watts of electricity,” says HydroSpin CEO Gabby Czertok. “That’s enough to power a network and send the data forward every five minutes or so, instead of once a day in other smart water network systems.”
Water shortages require managers to keep an eye on leaks and water quality, while too much rain can overwhelm water distribution and sewer services. SWANs ensure that every drop is accounted for, with sensors providing real-time data on leaks, water pressure, usage and water quality.