Analysis of Energy Recovery Out of the Water Supply and Distribution Network of the Brussels Capital Region

François Nuc () and Patrick Hendrick
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François Nuc: Departement ATM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
Patrick Hendrick: Departement ATM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: Water Supply and Distribution Networks (WSDNs) offer underexplored potential for energy recovery. While many studies confirm their technical feasibility, few assess the long-term operational compatibility and economic viability of such solutions. This study evaluates the energy recovery potential of the Brussels Capital Region’s WSDN using four years (2019–2022) of operational data. Rather than focusing on available technologies, the analysis examines whether the real behavior of the network supports sustainable energy extraction. The approach includes network topology identification, theoretical power modeling, and detailed flow and pressure analysis. The Brussels system, composed of a Water Supply Network (WSN) and a Water Distribution Network (WDN), reveals strong disparities: the WSN offers localized opportunities for energy recovery, while the WDN presents significant operational constraints that limit economic viability. Our findings suggest that day-ahead electricity markets provide more suitable valorization pathways than flexibility markets. Most importantly, the study highlights the necessity of long-term behavioral analysis to avoid misleading conclusions based on short-term data and to support informed investment decisions in the urban water–energy nexus.

Keywords: water supply network; water distribution network; turbine; pump as turbines; energy recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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