H-HOPE Project Accelerates Digitalization of Water Networks

H-HOPE addresses a critical gap in the renewable energy landscape by developing innovative technology to recover "hidden" hydropower—untapped energy typically dissipated in existing water conduits and open streams.

By harvesting this energy to power IoT sensors and autonomous monitoring devices, the project aims to accelerate the digitalisation of water and wastewater networks without relying on external power grids. The impact of this innovation extends beyond energy generation; it enhances the resilience of water networks against environmental stressors. 

As the project enters its final phase, the consortium has successfully validated key harvesting technologies, expanded its open-source data initiatives, and fostered a robust community of stakeholders dedicated to sustainable water management. 

Major Events: Mid-Term Success and European Engagement

A highlight of the year was the successful organization of the H-HOPE mid-term event, "Hidden Hydropower: Unlocking the Digitalization of Water Networks," held in Padova in April 2025. The event convened over 50 participants, including industry experts and policymakers, to discuss the future of energy harvester design and city resilience. 

Building on this momentum, the H-HOPE consortium also actively participated in EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2025, further cementing the project's role in the broader European narrative on clean energy transition and renewable innovations. 

Technological Breakthroughs in Energy Harvesting 

Throughout 2025, the project made critical advances in the design and validation of its hidden hydro technology:

•  Advanced Modeling & Design: The team successfully developed and correlated a 1D multi-physics model and scalable design tools. This work has led to the finalization of optimal design configurations for energy harvesters in different applications (pressurised pipes, open streams, and open channels).
•  Prototyping & Tests: Engineering teams developed prototypes for piping and openstream applications and these prototypes have been successfully tested in laboratory environments.
• Pilot Site Optimisation: A rigorous analysis of the different pilot sites has identified the most promising ones in terms of energy harvesting potential and guidelines for optimal applications is under development. This was supported by a comprehensive assessment and risk analysis tool developed to evaluate the environmental and resilience impact of the technology as well as its hydropower potential across Europe.
• System Realization: Significant progress was made in the hardware realisation of Power Take-Off (PTO) and electronics for the scaled-up prototype, with power curve testing now underway.

 Data Access and the "Do-It-Yourself" Ecosystem 

 True to its commitment to open science, H-HOPE launched a dedicated Data Hub on GitHub in 2025 to facilitate the sharing of code and resources. This initiative supports the project’s "DoIt-Yourself" (DIY) approach, which now includes detailed technical guidance available on the HHOPE webpage and YouTube channel. 

Furthermore, the project has deepened its academic integration, embedding H-HOPE research into university courses and initiating three joint PhD programs, ensuring that the knowledge generated today supports the energy leaders of tomorrow. 

Looking Ahead 

With maintenance work by Vattenfall completed to facilitate upcoming experiments and data collection from major utilities like IZSU (Turkey), H-HOPE is poised for a dynamic final year. The focus now shifts to finalising the pilot analyses for high-potential energy recovery sites and delivering a comprehensive set of opportunity maps and deployment recommendations for the EU water sector.