Rentricity Inc.
Rentricity Inc. is a United States-based clean energy technology company specializing in the recovery of energy from the excess pressure and flow within existing and new water infrastructure. Established in 2003 and headquartered in New York City, the company is a pioneer in the field of In-Conduit Hydropower, transforming what was once untapped hydraulic energy in gravity-fed water pipelines into clean, renewable electricity. The core mission of Rentricity is to revolutionize water management by providing a sustainable, clean energy source that empowers water operators to achieve operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. The company's technology has no adverse environmental impact and represents a new class of clean, renewable hydrokinetic energy.
Continue…Core Business and Technology
Rentricity's primary focus is on simplifying the sustainable power generation process for water utilities, irrigation districts, and large industrial users of gravity-fed water. The company's systems are designed to harness the excess pressure that would otherwise be dissipated using pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) and convert it into usable electricity. This innovative approach allows water-sector entities to generate a new source of revenue, offset their rising electricity rates, and contribute to clean energy goals. Rentricity's solutions are applicable across a versatile range of water applications, including potable drinking water distribution systems, irrigation networks, and industrial processes in sectors like dairy, chemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and food processing.
The company's systems integrate proprietary equipment and advanced control software directly into solid pipe infrastructure. This is often accomplished by replacing traditional pressure reduction valves with Rentricity???s energy recovery equipment, thus managing the necessary pressure while simultaneously generating power. This dual function of pressure management and energy recovery is a key differentiator in their technology offering.
Products and Services
Rentricity Inc. offers a comprehensive suite of equipment, systems, and engineering services centered around its hydrokinetic energy recovery technology.
Flow-to-Wire??? System
The Flow-to-Wire??? system is Rentricity???s flagship energy recovery solution. This robust system is designed to convert the kinetic energy of flowing water, specifically the excess pressure in water mains, into clean electric power. The system utilizes pump-as-turbines (PATs), which are exclusively certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for compliance with NSF 61 and 372 standards. This certification is crucial, particularly for drinking water systems, as it ensures that the water-facing components meet stringent safety standards and prevent contamination, adhering to low-lead requirements.
- Power Output: A single Flow-to-Wire??? system typically produces a range of clean, renewable electricity from 5 kW to 350 kW, which can then be sold back to the electric grid or used for on-site consumption at the facility, such as a water treatment plant or pump station.
- Application: The high-capacity systems are primarily installed in municipal water systems and larger irrigation or industrial pipelines where significant excess pressure and flow exist.
Sustainable Energy & Monitoring Systems (SEMS???)
The SEMS??? line represents a suite of pre-packaged, pre-engineered, skid-mounted energy recovery systems. They are designed to extend the Flow-to-Wire??? technology into the lower power generation range, specifically between 5 kW and 30 kW.
- Design: SEMS??? are "plug and play" systems, facilitating easier and faster deployment.
- Integrated Monitoring: A unique feature of the SEMS??? product line is the integration of water quality sensors. The system is designed to be a self-powered water monitoring station, utilizing a portion of its own generated clean power to operate the integrated sensors. This provides real-time data and monitoring capabilities to the owner/operator.
- Control Systems: The SEMS??? encompasses a suite of control and switchgear NEMA 4 enclosures. These enclosures feature UL508A certified panels, a utility-grade multi-function relay, and a fully adaptive SCADA interface with an on-board Program Logic Controller (PLC). This advanced control system allows for the management and responsiveness to multiple, independent demands for downstream water flow and pressure, while also optimizing power output for various hydraulic conditions.
Professional Services and Support
Rentricity provides an end-to-end service offering to ensure successful project implementation and operation.
- Engineering and Design: This includes mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering design services required for seamless integration of the hydrokinetic system into the existing water infrastructure.
- Project Management: The company offers construction management, permitting assistance, and full support for system start-up and training for the client???s personnel.
- Assessments: Historically, the company has offered initiatives, such as the Hydrokinetic Energy Recovery Opportunity (HERO) Program, to provide municipalities with free assessments of their water and wastewater treatment systems to determine the potential for generating clean, renewable electricity.
Rentricity Inc. is a key player in the in-conduit hydropower market, dedicated to providing reliable and environmentally friendly solutions for clean energy generation within the global water sector.
