HIGRA generates electricity from water in Santa Catarina
Joinville, the largest city in Santa Catarina, is also the first in the state to generate electricity using water flow.
In January 2024, Companhia Águas de Joinville (CAJ) installed a turbine in a water main at the R-5 reservoir in the Vila Nova neighborhood. The technology, developed by HIGRA, takes advantage of water pressure to generate electricity.
Generating clean and sustainable electricity is important for the environment, as it helps to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a renewable source of energy that does not run out.
Production will be up to 40 kWh, corresponding to 28,800 kWh per month, enough to supply the consumption of around 100 homes. The electricity generated will be injected into Celesc’s distribution network and repaid in the form of credits at Águas de Joinville’s operational units. This represents annual savings of approximately R$ 300,000 for the company.
In addition to the economic benefits, the project is also environmentally relevant. This is because it harnesses the energy of water, a renewable and clean source. Furthermore, the installation of the turbine does not interfere with the pressure of the water that reaches the properties.
“It’s a great innovation, not just for Joinville, but for the whole state, to use the force of the water inside a water main to generate energy. This initiative shows that we have to seek sustainability for future generations, bringing energy efficiency, innovation and a better quality of life to Joinville,” said Mayor Adriano Silva.
Lucas Emanuel Martins, CAJ’s Water Manager, points out that “Based on technical studies, we identified a pressure surplus that could be used to generate energy in the R-5 reservoir. In this context, we began researching technologies that we could use to harness this energy potential.” And on the turbine’s operational advantages, he adds: “With it, we have greater control of the flow being directed to this reservoir, we can make commands remotely, doing all this in a more modern way. We’ve already done the study to install it in other reservoirs!”
The project, which involved an investment of R$2.4 million, was completed in just six months. In addition to the turbine, a new water main was also installed to enable the project to be carried out.
Sidney Marques de Oliveira Junior, CEO of CAJ, explains that the technology used is the same as that of a conventional hydroelectric plant, but on a smaller scale. The turbine is installed in the pipe and rotates based on water pressure. The energy generated is then transmitted to the electricity grid.
“Using the turbine to generate electricity is one of our projects focused on sustainability. In addition to the low maintenance cost and ease of operation, it takes advantage of the energy potential of the sanitation system, helps to reduce our expenses and, above all, benefits the environment,” says the CEO.
The project is an example of how innovation can be used to promote sustainability. As well as generating savings for Águas de Joinville, the project also contributes to preserving the environment by harnessing a renewable source of energy.
Photos: Giovani Paim / HIGRA
