#United States #Clean Energy #Pennsylvania #Rentricity #Hydropower

Transforming Water Infrastructure into Renewable Energy

In an innovative move to meet the increasing U.S. energy demands while promoting sustainability, Rentricity Inc. has announced a collaboration with the St. Mary's Area Water Authority (SMAWA) in Pennsylvania. This partnership aims to harness the energy of flowing water through the installation of Rentricity's proprietary Flow-to-Wire™ turbine-generator system within SMAWA's gravity-fed raw water line. This project is pivotal as it marks the lowest-head installation of Rentricity's technology to date, demonstrating its capability to capture clean energy even in low-pressure water systems.

A New Model for Energy Generation

The St. Mary's In-Conduit Hydropower Project operates at approximately 26 psi, showcasing Rentricity's scalable model that municipalities can adopt to enhance their sustainability and operational efficiency. This initiative is particularly timely as the nation faces skyrocketing energy and water demands, spurred largely by the growing presence of AI-powered data centers and high-performance computing facilities. These entities require significant energy resources, necessitating alternatives that function optimally at a decentralized level.

Rentricity's technology acts as a solution by capturing energy from pressure-reducing points within water systems, converting excess flow into renewable power. This process not only alleviates stress on regional power grids but also creates additional revenue channels for water utilities.

CEO Frank Zammataro emphasizes, "Transforming water infrastructure into clean power is no longer merely an environmental decision; it's an operational requirement. This project exemplifies how municipal systems can evolve into distributed clean energy producers, driving down costs, reducing emissions, and enhancing energy grid resilience."

Achieving Significant Energy Production

Once operational, the St. Mary's project is expected to generate around 157,680 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. This is enough to power approximately 12 homes for a year, equivalent to removing 13 gasoline-powered cars from the roads. Over its anticipated 40-year lifespan, it is set to offset over 2,400 metric tons of CO₂, alongside reductions in harmful emissions like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, significantly contributing to Pennsylvania's greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

As Randy Gradizzi, Chairman of SMAWA, asserts, the project is a strategic way to optimize existing resources. "By capturing clean energy from our water system, we enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainability — a win for our customers, community, and environment."

Sustainable Utilities: A Nationwide Model

Rentricity's Flow-to-Wire™ systems, certified for drinking water use, exemplify the balance between regulatory compliance and high efficiency. Each installation is custom-engineered to match the unique hydraulic conditions of the site, maximizing power recovery while maintaining performance. Designed for longevity and minimal maintenance, these systems promise an outstanding return on investment for utilities.

With a history of over 30 completed projects across North America, Rentricity exemplifies leadership in the burgeoning sector of in-conduit hydropower. This approach forms an essential part of the 'Water-Energy Nexus,' a crucial intersection of water management, clean energy generation, energy policies, and resilience in infrastructure.

Supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's goals to reduce greenhouse gases and enhance renewable energy, the technology allows water operators to decrease energy consumption, innovate infrastructure, and pursue long-term sustainability objectives while minimizing environmental impacts.

Project Summary

• - Location: St. Mary's Area Water Authority, Pennsylvania
• - Technology: Rentricity Flow-to-Wire™ Turbine-Generator System
• - Annual Energy Output: Approximately 157,680 kWh
• - Annual GHG Reduction: About 60 metric tons CO₂
• - Long-term Environmental Impact: 40-year offset of around 2,400 metric tons CO₂, providing energy for 12 homes yearly
• - Application: Drinking water treatment facility

About the St. Mary's Area Water Authority (SMAWA)

SMAWA provides high-quality drinking water through an efficient gravity-fed system sourced from regional headwaters, emphasizing operational effectiveness and environmental responsibility. The authority actively seeks innovative measures to enhance service reliability and reduce costs.

About Rentricity

Rentricity Inc. specializes in developing in-conduit hydropower systems, offering Flow-to-Wire™ solutions that convert excess water pressure into clean energy. The company's patented technologies assist utilities in lowering energy costs, generating new revenue streams, and achieving sustainability targets, contributing significantly to the clean energy transition and the quest for net-zero emissions.