Assessing enablers and challenges for the deployment of energy harvesters in water networks through stakeholder interviews

The growing demand for green energy triggered the development of innovative technologies, such as energy harvesters. Energy harvesters can harness and convert ambient kinetic energy into electric energy. The harnessed energy can be utilised to power small monitoring devices within water networks, particularly in remote or off-grid locations. Integrating energy harvesters within water systems offers a promising opportunity to enhance network monitoring, thereby improving resilience and reducing the risk of system failures. However, successful deployment requires a complex understanding of the technical, economic, and social risks involved.

This research, conducted as a part of the H-Hope Horizon project (https://h-hope.eu/), synthesises insights from seven case studies through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders involved in each case, including industry professionals, policymakers and researchers. The aim is to identify and analyse the enablers and challenges associated with implementing energy harvesters. Relevant stakeholders were identified through the snowball sampling method. To understand the dynamics, this research employs two methods: the Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) and Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs). The DPSIR model categorises and evaluates the various risks by identifying the driving forces, pressures, current system conditions, impacts and necessary responses. CLDs are used to visualise the interconnections between factors and to highlight enablers and barriers to deploying energy harvesters within water networks.

The results reveal that providing a power supply to remote sensors for enhanced monitoring is a key enabler for water and energy systems. Enhanced monitoring is widely perceived as reducing the risk of failures across most systems, thereby increasing the resilience of the water networks. In cases where energy harvesters enable successful monitoring, the benefits generally outweigh most other concerns. Specifically, providing power to sensors in remote locations has been identified as a significant opportunity for improving water network operations. The main barriers identified are related to pipe diameter compatibility, maintenance requirements and the risk of mechanical obstructions, all of which can increase the likelihood of system failure and complicate maintenance. Additionally, conflicting institutional interests between owners and operators pose further barriers to deploying energy harvesters within water networks.

Overall, stakeholders emphasise the transformative potential of energy harvesters to unlock energy savings, reduce operational costs and enhance resilience in water networks. This abstract underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to risk assessment, integrating stakeholder feedback to guide the design, policy development and operational strategies. Addressing these risks is essential to ensure that the energy harvesting technologies in water networks can achieve their full potential, advancing sustainable water-energy solutions on a global scale.