CFD STUDY OF SMALL-SCALE HYDROPOWER ENERGY RECOVERY AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION IN THE ATHENS WATER SUPPLY NETWORK

This paper investigates the potential of integrating Small Hydropower Plants (SHPs) into the Athens Water Supply Network (AWSN) to recover otherwise wasted hydraulic energy and support green hydrogen production. Five candidate sites, Evinos, Kirfi, Helicon, Kithairon, and Mandra, are evaluated in terms of their energy recovery potential, economic viability, and contribution to low-carbon hydrogen generation. The proposed approach promotes the sustainable use of existing water infrastructure, reducing energy losses while supporting the transition to cleaner energy systems. In addition, preliminary Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are presented to examine the hydrodynamic behavior of the proposed installations. Flow-3D results provide initial insights into flow patterns and system performance, highlighting key design considerations. Although the findings are encouraging, further research is needed to fully assess environmental impacts and optimize system integration.