The project, which is currently going ahead at Scottish Water’s Shieldhall Wastewater Treatment Works in Glasgow, will involve the installation of a ‘PicoStream floating turbine’ - technology which produces renewable electricity from water and wastewater flows.

The trial came from a partnership facilitated by the Hydro Nation Chair involving Scottish Water, WGM Engineering, Zero Waste Scotland, RMAS, Edinburgh and Stirling universities. The collaboration was centred around looking into circular economy strategy alongside water and wastewater sector technology.

The turbine was seen as a possible producer of ongoing renewable energy.

Billions of litres of water move through pipes, channels and treatment works on a daily basis in the UK , but only a small amount of this energy is being captured.

With solar and wind being dependent on weather, water differs in the sense that it flows continuously, providing a reliable source of renewable energy.

The PicoStream turbine system is positioned within water channels, producing electricity from the flows. 

Sam Maitland, managing director at Fish Friendly Hydropower Company Ltd: “This trial is a major step forward in demonstrating how simple, low-impact hydropower can play a meaningful role in the transition to net zero. 

“There is huge, untapped energy in water infrastructure, and technologies like PicoStream allow us to capture that energy quickly, cost-effectively, and with minimal disruption.”

Maitland added: “It is great working with WGM Engineering in close collaboration with Scottish Water who, I believe, are leading the charge to Net Zero within the UK water sector.”

Fraser Simpson, Scottish Water, product owner, major Projects, said: “Scottish Water is committed to exploring innovative solutions that help reduce our carbon footprint while continuing to deliver high quality, reliable services on our journey towards Net Zero.”