A City Council subcommittee will decide on proposed projects that generate electricity from the city’s drinking water system.
Electricity would be generated by relying on pressure within the city’s drinking water pipes. In a number of locations, including on Awbrey and Overturf buttes, the city relies on valves to artificially decrease water pressure. By replacing those valves with hydroelectric equipment, the city could reduce the pressure while at the same time generating power. Such a setup could generate revenue for the city, either through savings accrued by using the electricity created or by selling it into the grid.
City of Bend Senior Policy Analyst Gillian Ockner told the council there are three to four potential sites where the city could generate electricity within existing pipes, including on Awbrey and Overturf buttes, both on Bend’s west side.
(READ MORE: Bend Bulletin)
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