Assessment of Pan-European Potential for Hidden Micro-Hydropower (MHP) and Energy Harvesting in Water Infrastructure

Europe has mainly focused on large-scale wind and solar projects. However, an abundant renewable energy resource remains untapped within the existing water infrastructure. The continuously flowing energy through the drinking-water pipelines, irrigation canals, and wastewater systems has not been noticed. Yet, tapping into this hidden hydropower is crucial for building a decentralized, carbon-neutral future.

This research assessed Europe’s potential for hidden hydropower through comprehensive technical analyses. For open-channel and natural systems, GIS-based modelling combined with custom Python algorithms mapped and measured the available resource. Within pressurized pipelines, we focused on Pump as Turbine (PaT) technology, demonstrating how to retrofit existing infrastructure for energy recovery.

To complement these large-scale recovery approaches, dedicated hydropower models were developed to estimate the potential of piezoelectric energy harvesting. These models investigate how micro- and nano-hydropower can exploit flow-induced vibrations to supply power for distributed sensor networks. The results show that there is a wealth of untapped power across Europe, underscoring the viability of low-impact and cost-effective micro-hydropower (MHP) technologies. By integrating these energy solutions with smart sensors and real-time monitoring, this research contributes to the development of a more efficient, resilient, and interconnected "energy-water networks" in Europe.

 

Keywords: Hidden Micro-Hydropower (MHP); Energy Harvesting; GIS-Based Modelling; Water Infrastructure; Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting (PEH), Pump as Turbine (PaT).