Online monitoring instruments and wireless data transmitters are important tools for the management of a modern water supply network. Since these new facilities need convenient and reliable means of power supply, WSD collaborated with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the development of an inline micro hydroelectric generating system for use in confined conditions in end of 2009 to cope with the monitoring and control requirements of the water supply network. The device is designed to generate electric power from water flow in pipes for operating the instruments, such as flowmeters installed at remote locations or under busy streets, where other sources of power supply are not readily available.
The core part of the system is an inline hydroelectric generator. Its basic operating principle is to use a highly efficient inline turbine to transform the residual pressure of water flowing in a pipe and transform it into electric power for storage or direct consumption. When water flows through the pipe, the turbine drives a micro generator to generate electricity.
Two in-line hydropower harnessing devices (IHHD) prototypes suitable for use in 250mm diameter pipes have passed vigorous endurance tests in the pressure management areas (PMA) / district metering areas (DMA) of WSD's Water Intelligent Network in East Kowloon Region. In future, IHHD will provide power supply to the monitoring and data transmission equipment of the Water Intelligent Network for realtime remote monitoring purposes. WSD has successfully procured 20 sets of IHHD for use in Water Intelligent Network with fund from TechConnect Block Vote under the Innovation and Technology Bureau.