Scottish Water has begun trialling a “plug-and-play” hydropower system designed to generate renewable electricity from the water and wastewater flows already moving through its sites.
The pilot is under way at Scottish Water’s Shieldhall Wastewater Treatment Works in Glasgow, where a PicoStream floating turbine is being installed. The technology has been developed by the Fish Friendly Hydropower Company (FFH) and is being delivered in partnership with WGM Engineering. It is designed to produce electricity from existing flows without major civil engineering work.
How the trial came about
The project originated from a collaboration facilitated by the Hydro Nation Chair, involving Scottish Water, WGM Engineering, Zero Waste Scotland, RMAS and the universities of Edinburgh and Stirling. The group examined circular-economy approaches to innovation in the water and wastewater sector. The PicoStream turbine was identified as a potential source of continuous renewable energy generated from inter-process flows, without significant infrastructure or civil modifications, and the trial is now under way.
Energy from existing water flows
Across the UK, billions of litres of water move through pipes, channels and treatment works each day, yet little of the associated energy is currently captured. Unlike solar and wind, which depend on weather conditions, water flows continuously, offering a potential source of predictable, round-the-clock generation that could support energy resilience.
The PicoStream system sits within existing water channels and generates electricity from inter-process flows that would otherwise be lost. According to the developers, it can be deployed quickly, with no major infrastructure or disruption. Similar thinking is being explored elsewhere in the sector, from green energy generation at a Scottish reservoir to projects that recover heat from wastewater.
Scaling from homes to infrastructure
The trial represents a move from smaller domestic installations into live wastewater infrastructure. The companies involved say thousands of water and wastewater sites — along with mill races, weirs and fast-flowing river channels — could offer similar opportunities. Because the system operates within existing flows and avoids major structural changes, it can in many cases be deployed without requiring a full Environment Agency licence.
The work adds to Scottish Water’s wider efforts to cut emissions across its operations, which have included biogas production at its sludge treatment facility at Nigg as part of its journey towards net zero.
Industry context
Water and wastewater operations are energy-intensive, and utilities across the UK are looking for ways to reduce both costs and carbon. Small-scale, or “pico”, hydropower is one of several approaches being tested to capture value from flows that are already part of day-to-day operations. The Shieldhall trial is intended to test whether the technology can be replicated at scale across the sector.
Quotes
Sam Maitland, managing director of the Fish Friendly Hydropower Company, said: “This trial is a major step forward in demonstrating how simple, low-impact hydropower can play a meaningful role in the transition to net zero. There is huge, untapped energy in water infrastructure, and technologies like PicoStream allow us to capture that energy quickly, cost-effectively and with minimal disruption. It is great working with WGM Engineering in close collaboration with Scottish Water.”
Jason Cramb, director of WGM Engineering, said: “WGM are thrilled to be partnering with FFH to deliver this technology to the water industry, showing how innovation, engineering expertise and new technology can come together to unlock practical renewable energy solutions.”
Fraser Simpson, product owner for major projects at Scottish Water, said: “Scottish Water is committed to exploring innovative solutions that help reduce our carbon footprint while continuing to deliver high quality, reliable services on our journey towards net zero.”
Further information on the PicoStream system is available from the Fish Friendly Hydropower Company.
FAQ
What is the PicoStream turbine?
It is a floating, low-impact hydropower turbine designed to generate renewable electricity from existing water and wastewater flows without major civil works.
Where is the trial taking place?
At Scottish Water’s Shieldhall Wastewater Treatment Works in Glasgow.
Who is involved in the project?
The Fish Friendly Hydropower Company and WGM Engineering are delivering the trial in collaboration with Scottish Water. The pilot stems from a Hydro Nation Chair collaboration that also involved Zero Waste Scotland, RMAS and the universities of Edinburgh and Stirling.
Why generate energy from water flows?
Water flows continuously, unlike weather-dependent solar and wind, so it can provide predictable, round-the-clock renewable generation from infrastructure that is already in place.
