The city of Manitou Springs has taken yet another step toward utilizing the benefits of renewable energy.
In partnership with the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, an in-pipe hydropower system developed by Rentricity Inc. has been installed. The Flow-to-Wire™ system will use the high-pressure water delivered from the Manitou Reservoir to generate electricity.
The water is piped into the water treatment plant at around 250 pounds per square inch. Instead of using valves to lower the water pressure, the high-pressure water turns a hydro turbine that generates electricity. By turning the generator, it reduces the water pressure to a much more manageable amount of around 16 psi.
During the summers, when water usage is at its highest, the water treatment plant will be 100 percent self-sustaining. With a more than 30-year operating expectancy, the hydro turbine will provide clean and renewable energy for decades to come.
In addition, due to the city’s Sun Share contract with Colorado Springs Utilities, the remainder of Manitou’s energy will be generated by solar panels from outside Manitou Springs — resulting in a water treatment plant that is fully sustained by renewable energy year-round.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, with speeches from city engineer Dole Grebenik and Mayor John Graham, and a tour of the system. The plant is at 1000 Water Treatment Plant Road.