Hillsboro In-pipe Hydroelectric Project

Print Feedback

Font Size: + -

Smart water. Clean energy. Better world.

In fall of 2020, City of Hillsboro pioneered a new form of renewable energy production that transforms excess pressure within a pipeline into electricity. The project uses a micro-hydro system (In-PRVTM), developed by Portland-based InPipe Energy, to transform excess water transmission pressure into clean energy, while still performing the pressure reduction necessary for delivery of water to homes and businesses.

This site generates 200,000+ kwH of carbon-free electricity per year that can power the Gordon Faber Recreational Complex. This revolutionary and environmentally friendly system helps the City of Hillsboro meet its sustainability goals and initiatives, while leading the way to a more water-and energy-efficient future.

Mayor InPipe

Mayor Steve Callaway launches Hillsboro hydropower.

How does it work?

The In-PRV generates electricity by harvesting excess pressure from the City’s water transmission pipeline – helping Hillsboro Water maintain safe pressure in the water distribution pipeline, while reducing both energy expenses and the city’s carbon footprint. (See the diagram below for a quick tutorial of this innovative process.)

(01) Gravity is used to rapidly push Hillsboro’s drinking water through large pipes from the treatment plant in Forest Grove to Hillsboro. That high pressure must then be reduced to make it appropriate for smaller water pipes in homes and businesses.
(02) Normally, Hillsboro Water uses pressure reducing valves that simply “burn off” the pressure as heat that dissipates into the air.
(03) The In-PRV pressure recovery valve is a micro-hydro turbine combined with pressure control that instead converts excess pressure into electricity that is fed to the power grid.
(04) Sensors and software allow Hillsboro Water to monitor pressure, flow and electricity production 24/7. Precise pressure management helps save water and extend the life of the pipeline.
(05) This In-PRV system will generate up to 200,000 kWh of electricity per year or more to help power lights, concessions and EV charging stations at the stadium.

straightforward option 2 diagram

What does this amount to?

200,000 kWh of electricity is enough to power 20 homes for a year.
The system will reduce more than 162,000 pounds of carbon annually – that equates to over 240,000 driven miles off the road every year.
The In-PRV will produce nearly a $1M worth of electricity for the City over the next 30+ years – that’s good for ratepayers and for the planet.

This project has been made possible by customers participating in PGE’s Green Future program through the Renewable Development Fund. Additional funding was provided by Energy Trust of Oregon.

Data for Calendar Year

Data for 2024
Total Kilowatt Hours (kWh) Produced This Year:	195,018 kWh
Total Generator Runtime:	7319 hours
Total Flow Volume:	817 Million Gallons (MG)
Average Daily kWh	286 kWh/d

Data Since Installation

*Total Kilowatt Hours (kWh) Produced Since October 2020 (Installation):*	854,088 kWh
Total Generator Runtime to Date (Since Installation):	32,336 hours
Total Flow Volume to Date (Since Installation):	3600 Million Gallons (MG)
Average Daily kWh	571 kWh/d

System Benefits

Benefits of the In-Pipe Hydroelectric system includes:

This new technology will generate more than 200,000 kWh of electricity annually that will help power the lighting, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and concessions at Hillsboro’s Gordon Faber Recreation Complex. (This amount of energy is also enough to power 20 homes for a year.)
The system provides pressure management that helps save water and extend the life of the pipeline while reducing more than 162,000 pounds of carbon annually – that equates to over 240,000 driven miles off the road every year.
The In-PRV will produce nearly a $1M worth of electricity for the City over the next 30+ years – that’s good for ratepayers and for the planet.
The in-pipe hydropower provides the opportunity to capture the energy of flowing water in a controlled environment—the electricity produced is predictable and not subject to weather conditions.
This revolutionary and environmentally friendly system helps the City of Hillsboro meet its sustainability goals and initiatives, while leading the way to a more water-and energy-efficient future.