Pump-as-turbine for Energy Recovery Applications: The Case Study of An Aqueduct

Pump-as-Turbine (PaT) technology is taking the field in different small-hydro or energy recovery applications. These machines can be installed in water distribution grids to have pressure levels adjustment and electrical energy production. A PaT working in turbine mode has a different best efficiency point due to a variation of the fluid-dynamic operating conditions. In this paper, laboratory tests are performed to investigate its performances in pump and turbine mode. Hydraulic efficiency, torque and mechanical power are evaluated in several load conditions. In conclusion, an energy evaluation is shown considering a test case of a water distribution grid.