InPipe Energy has expanded its HydroXS energy recovery system deployments from municipal and utility projects in the United States to its first international site in Thailand, marking a milestone in pipeline-based renewable energy innovation.
The HydroXS system generates electricity by capturing energy from pressurised water moving through existing pipelines. This approach enables utilities and industries to reduce emissions and costs without the need for dams, new construction, or additional land use. InPipe reports that the modular system is delivering baseload electricity in several regions, supporting both climate goals and energy resilience.
Project Highlights
- Aurora Water, Colorado: Now in its second full year of operation, HydroXS produces around 255,000 kWh annually. The project offsets an estimated 3,400 tonnes of CO₂ over its lifetime and is saving the city approximately $40,000 per year in energy costs.
- East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), California: The first HydroXS installation in California generates about 130,000 kWh annually. The project supports EBMUD’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
- Skagit PUD & Mount Vernon High School, Washington: A community-scale HydroXS system launched in July 2025 powers school operations and EV chargers, generating around 300,000 kWh per year and offsetting more than 9.3 million pounds of CO₂ across three decades.
- Rayong, Thailand: Scheduled for completion in December, this installation at an industrial site is designed to generate nearly one million kWh of electricity per year. It is expected to eliminate over 350 tonnes of CO₂ annually, aligning with Thailand’s national target for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Hydropower Within Existing Infrastructure
InPipe Energy describes its HydroXS technology as a way to make use of existing assets. “Every drop of water under pressure is potentially an untapped opportunity to generate low-cost electricity,” said Gregg Semler, Founder and CEO of InPipe Energy.
The system has operated across sites for more than 55,000 runtime hours, with reported availability rates of 99%. The company argues that the technology demonstrates how utilities and municipalities can increase renewable capacity quickly and without environmental disruption.
Why It Matters
The HydroXS system offers several potential benefits for utilities and water operators:
- Electricity production at reported costs of 3–5¢ per kWh.
- Installation within three to four weeks.
- Zero land-use impact, as it leverages existing water infrastructure.
- Behind-the-meter power generation to improve local energy resilience.
With deployments expanding beyond the US, HydroXS could play a role in supporting both municipal and industrial climate goals globally.
