| Projects
periods average three-to-five years, with levelized cost of energy (LCOE) between $0.05 and $0.06 per kWh, and potentially lower for large-scale sites. One HydroXS equates in energy output to acres of solar panels. Importantly, the modular nature of the HydroXS allows for system wide deployment. Any point in a pipeline where pressure is intentionally reduced – through altitude changes, junction points, or end-of-line dissipation – becomes a candidate site for energy recovery. Multiple units can be distributed throughout a system to build up meaningful capacity and increasing the benefits.
A complement to renewables While in-conduit hydropower is still gaining
recognition, its operational profile complements that of traditional renewables. Unlike solar or wind, pressure recovery from water pipelines is non-intermittent. If water flows, power is generated – day or night, regardless of weather. That consistency has opened the door to microgrid
integration. HydroXS units can serve as a baseload anchor in distributed energy systems, especially when paired with battery storage. This could prove especially attractive in areas dependent on diesel backup generators, which are expensive to run and maintain, and carbon intensive. “We’re working on replacing or supplementing diesel gensets with HydroXS and storage,” Semler explains. “That’s huge for resilience and security goals, especially in rural or infrastructure-critical environments like mining, agriculture, and data canters.” InPipe’s systems are grid compatible, using
standardized interconnection protocols modelled on those developed for distributed solar. Power is exported under net metering, and generation data can be tracked in real time via onboard telemetry. This includes flow rate, pressure, kWh output, and carbon emissions savings, offering customers a measurable path toward sustainability metrics.
Environmental considerations From a regulatory standpoint, in-conduit hydropower
benefits from a lighter footprint than traditional hydro projects – but it’s not without oversight. In the US, systems must conform to electric utility
interconnection rules, as well as drinking water standards where potable water is involved. The HydroXS avoids the common environmental challenges of conventional hydropower: no dams, no diversion, no aquatic habitat disruption. As a result, it faces fewer permitting barriers and a clearer path to deployment.
“It’s an easier sell – both technically and politically,” Semler says. “Environmentalists really like the HydroXS. It’s the only source of electricity they’ve seen that has no environmental impact.”
From US to global opportunity Until now, InPipe has focused primarily on the U.S.
market, where more than 2.2 million miles of drinking water and wastewater pipelines represent a vast, underutilized energy resource. However, international demand is growing rapidly. “We’re currently building our first internationally bound HydroXS system for a major industrial water user in Bangkok,” says Semler. “That will lead to a
broader expansion into Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.” Interest is also coming from Europe, where
regulatory drivers around carbon accounting and grid flexibility are accelerating demand for decentralized renewables. InPipe sees strong alignment with European water utilities and industrial users looking to decarbonize without major infrastructure overhauls. Semler is particularly keen to tap the agricultural, mining, and industrial cooling sectors, all of which rely heavily on pressurized water systems with recoverable energy potential. These are often gravity- fed, high-volume flows – ideal conditions for HydroXS deployment. “We’ve seen great sites from mining, agriculture and data centers, where large amounts of water are being used in pipelines,” he says. “In those cases, the payback is even faster.”
Unlocking the potential of non-
powered infrastructure Beyond pressurized pipelines, Semler is evaluating the opportunity for the HydroXS in non-powered dams and conduits, particularly in the U.S., where over 90,000 dams exist – only 3% of which produce electricity.
“In-conduit hydropower could be a retrofit pathway for these sites,” he says. “We don’t require a full-scale build out with a powerhouse – just drop in the HydroXS on outlet works, drains, or bypasses where pressure exists.”
He acknowledges that working with federal
bureaucracy remains a challenge – particularly with agencies like the Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers – but believes growing attention to energy security, grid resilience and energy demand will drive future policy shifts. “There’s no reason why these assets shouldn’t be generating electricity. It’s low impact, it’s local, and it’s ready.”
The road ahead
Looking ahead, Semler envisions HydroXS evolving into a core component of distributed energy and storage networks, where water infrastructure can become an important asset for ensuring stability and resilience. “Think of it as distributed pumped storage,” he says. “Every time water is released from a reservoir or tank, you can recover some of that energy. With two-way flow and storage integration, the same system could act as both a load and a generator. Increase the amount of water flowing out of the reservoir when you need it to balance the grid.” This could be particularly valuable for urban utilities,
where battery storage alone may not meet backup requirements, or for climate-sensitive infrastructure seeking redundancy during extreme weather events. With rising electricity demand from electrification – especially in transport and data – engineers are increasingly being asked to find creative, low-impact generation options. InPipe’s HydroXS presents a plug- and-play solution for precisely that: clean, dispatchable power built directly into infrastructure that already exists. As Semler puts it: “We’ve been burning off pressure in pipelines for centuries. Why not turn it into electricity?”
Above: Maintenance is easy with the InPipe’s HydroXS
More information
Questions about InPipe’s HydroXS? Connect with Semler at
gregg@inpipeenergy.com
www.waterpowermagazine.com | May 2025 | 33
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