City of Hillsboro begins generating renewable energy from an underground water pipeline

With help from Portland General Electric and Energy Trust of Oregon, Hillsboro is pioneering a new technology for water utilities, the In-PRV from InPipe Energy, that converts excess water pressure into carbon-free electricity

Oct. 14, 2020

Hillsboro, Ore., – The City of Hillsboro, Oregon, Energy Trust of Oregon, Portland General Electric (PGE) and InPipe Energy today jointly announced the completion of the Hillsboro In-Pipe Hydroelectric Project – the first renewable energy project featuring the In-PRVTM, a new smart water and micro-hydro system that generates electricity by harvesting excess pressure from a city water pipeline. The In-PRV bypasses an existing pressure control valve, only instead of dissipating the pressure, it converts it into electricity that is fed to the grid. This new technology will generate from 185,000 up to 200,000 kWh or more of electricity per year that will help power the lighting, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and concessions at Hillsboro’s Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, which includes Ron Tonkin and Hillsboro Stadiums. It will provide 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. “As a growing city, we’re excited to pioneer this very practical new form of renewable energy that will help us continue to meet our climate action goals and build resilience,” said Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway. “The City of Hillsboro’s innovative new project is a great example of how we can support on-demand, cost-effective renewable energy generation right here in our community,” said Maria Pope, president and CEO of Portland General Electric. “From the In-Pipe Hydroelectric Project to sourcing their power from 100% clean wind, Hillsboro is a leader in sustainability. Thanks to PGE’s Green Future customers’ support for local renewable energy projects, we were able to help fund this work, along with Energy Trust and InPipe Energy. Only by working together will we build a clean energy future.”

“The City of Hillsboro is tapping into a new, local source of renewable energy that communities across the region can deploy, and we support these projects through funding to offset costs,” said Dave Moldal, senior program manager at Energy Trust of Oregon. “The relationships that Hillsboro, PGE, Energy Trust and InPipe Energy have developed provide a successful model for how we can come together to implement new, innovative sources of clean energy for Oregon.” “Water and energy are the most critical resources on the planet,” said Gregg Semler, President and CEO of InPipe Energy. “Water agencies across the country are being challenged with rising costs and aging infrastructure. Our In-PRV is a product that easily integrates into existing water pipelines and helps water agencies with both of these issues by enabling them to precisely manage pressure, save water, extend the life of their infrastructure and offset costs by producing renewable energy.” How it Works Throughout the world, water agencies use control valves to manage pressure in their water pipelines – this helps protect the pipeline from leaks and delivers water to customers at a safe pressure. These control valves normally burn off excess pressure as heat. InPipe Energy’s In-PRV pressure recovery system performs like a highly precise control valve, but takes the process one step further by turning the excess pressure -- that would be otherwise wasted -- into a new source of carbon-free electricity. This new form of renewable energy – in-pipe hydropower – has previously been used in large-scale projects, however the In-PRV is the first system that combines software, micro-hydro and control technology as a turnkey product that can be installed quickly, easily and cost-effectively throughout water systems with smaller-diameter pipelines and wherever pressure must be reduced. “We’re always looking for ways to improve our water operations and reduce costs for our ratepayers,” said Eric Hielema, Engineering Manager for the City of Hillsboro Water Department. “This technology provides us with a solution to help us precisely manage pressure while also producing renewable energy.” “Distributed energy resources are a critical component in meeting the state’s carbon goals, and this is a great addition to the renewable energy options available to cities, reducing both carbon and energy costs.” added Moldal.

About the City of Hillsboro
Hillsboro is one of Oregon’s most diverse and dynamic cities, with a steadily growing population of 101,540 residents, as of 2017. Hillsboro is the largest city in Washington County and serves as the county seat. During the workday, more than 50,000 employees commute to Hillsboro to work at companies such as Intel, Nike and Genentech. Known as the “high-tech hub of Oregon” and the “tallest tree in the Silicon Forest,” Hillsboro has some of the best land, power and water resources in the country. With its thriving economy, Hillsboro is the home of Oregon’s fourth-largest school district, two higher-education campuses and 28 parks with more than 1,500 acres of designated green spaces. Annual community events include the Oregon International Air Show, the Hillsboro Latino Cultural Festival and one of the largest Fourth of July parades in the Northwest. The Hillsboro Hops, the only professional baseball team in the Portland metro area, entertain fans during home games at the city’s baseball stadium, Ron Tonkin Field. Learn more at www.Hillsboro-Oregon.gov .

About InPipe Energy
InPipe Energy is a renewable energy and smart water technology company that produces renewable energy from existing infrastructure. InPipe Energy has developed a new product called the In-PRV, it is a pressure recovery valve. It performs the function of a typical pressure reducing valve (PRV), but it converts excess pressure into a new source of renewable energy from existing water pipelines. InPipe Energy’s novel, modular approach integrates into water and energy infrastructure with software controls to improve operational efficiencies, save water, reduce carbon and make both water and energy more resilient. What could be more sustainable? For more information visit inpipeenergy.com .

About Portland General Electric Company
Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, with operations across the state. The company serves approximately 900,000 customers with a service area population of 2 million Oregonians in 51 cities. PGE owns 16 generation plants across Oregon and other Northwestern states and maintains and operates 14 public parks and recreation areas. For over 130 years, PGE has delivered safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. PGE and its 3,000 employees are working with customers to build a clean energy future. In 2020, PGE, employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.6 million and volunteered 18,200 hours with more than 400 nonprofits across Oregon. For more information visit portlandgeneral.com/news.

About Energy Trust of Oregon
Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable power. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista save $8.2 billion on energy bills over time. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future. Learn more at energytrust.org Energy Trust of Oregon or call 1-866-368-7878.

For more information contact:

Elizabeth Lattanner, PGE