Skagit PUD and InPipe Energy Launch First Community-Scale HydroXS® System to Deliver Clean, Renewable Energy to Local Infrastructure
Groundbreaking Installation with Skagit PUD and Mount Vernon High School Demonstrates How Water Infrastructure Can Power Schools, EV Chargers, and Cities Around the World
Mount Vernon, Wash. – In a groundbreaking and innovative project that underscores the growing importance of infrastructure-driven energy security, Skagit Public Utility District (Skagit PUD) and InPipe Energy, a leader in hydroelectric energy recovery, launched a community-scale deployment of InPipe’s HydroXS energy recovery system. The system converts water flowing in a pipeline into renewable electricity, providing clean energy to power critical infrastructure in a community.
This installation, in collaboration with Skagit PUD and Mount Vernon High School, demonstrates how water infrastructure can be easily transformed into a scalable clean energy source for public institutions, community infrastructure, and smart cities worldwide.
Developed in collaboration with Grundfos, a global leader in water technology, the HydroXS combines InPipe Energy’s patented, modular energy recovery system with Grundfos’ advanced pressure management solutions to ensure optimal efficiency and performance.
“I’m incredibly proud of this project because it shows how shared water infrastructure can do more than deliver water; it can also generate power where it’s needed most,” said Gregg Semler, CEO and founder of InPipe Energy. Energy costs are increasing. I envision a future where we can use existing water pipelines to generate energy to power critical infrastructure. From ensuring safe and reliable water delivery to powering EVs and even data centers, this deployment offers a practical and sustainable path forward for cities everywhere.”
Water Pipelines as a Clean Energy Source
The newly installed HydroXS, located at a Skagit PUD, is a storage facility adjacent to Mount Vernon High School. The HydroXS automatically converts flowing water and pressure in a pipeline into carbon-free electricity that would otherwise be wasted. This electricity is used to power EV charging stations for students, faculty, and staff, while also supplementing the school’s broader energy needs. With an annual output of up to 300,000 kWh, the system will prevent more than 9.3 million pounds of CO₂ emissions over its 30-year lifespan, equivalent to permanently removing thousands of cars from the road. Beyond environmental benefits, the energy recovery system delivers measurable cost savings to the school district, demonstrating how existing infrastructure can be transformed into a valuable community asset that saves money and reduces the costs of water for SkagitPUD’s ratepayers.
“The installation demonstrates how public utilities can deliver long-term efficiency gains and energy security using existing infrastructure,” said George Sidhu, general manager of Skagit PUD. “Through energy recovery projects like this one with InPipe Energy, we’re protecting our ratepayers from rising electricity costs while ensuring we have an efficient, secure, and affordable water supply for our community.”
Funding for this innovative project came from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Rural Clean Energy Grant and TransAlta’s Centralia Coal Transition Grant. It is a U.S.-made product, qualifying it for incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.
“This project is exactly what the Centralia Coal Transition Board was designed to support — community-led solutions that deliver clean, reliable energy. Skagit PUD and InPipe Energy have taken a smart, creative approach to renewable power that benefits local residents, supports education and demonstrates how innovation at the local level can have meaningful impact. We’re proud to be part of it,” said John Kousinioris, President & CEO, TransAlta.
A Blueprint for Global Energy Transition
InPipe Energy is spearheading a new wave of innovation that reshapes the world’s perception of water and energy. Its patented HydroXS system enables water-intensive industries to generate clean power safely, reliably, and cost-effectively wherever pipelines exist.
“This is about unlocking a new energy resource hiding in plain sight,” Semler said. “With system-wide deployments of the HydroXS, every city has the potential to create its own water and energy security.”
For more information about InPipe Energy, visit www.inpipeenergy.com. For more information about SkagitPUD, visit www.skagitpud.org.
About InPipe Energy
InPipe Energy is turning flowing water in pipelines into low-cost, carbon-free electricity. Its flagship product, the HydroXS, is a patented, modular energy recovery system that integrates advanced micro-hydroelectric generation with precision pressure controls to deliver electricity wherever pipelines run. InPipe offers a comprehensive, turnkey solution for water-intensive industries seeking to reduce energy costs and enhance sustainability and resilience. Learn more at www.inpipeenergy.com.
About Grundfos
Grundfos pioneers solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges to improve people’s quality of life. As a leading global pump and water solutions company, Grundfos is committed to respecting, protecting, and advancing the flow of water by providing energy and water-efficient solutions and systems for a wide range of applications in water utilities, industries, and buildings.
About Skagit PUD
Skagit Public Utility District is a community-owned utility that has served Skagit County, Washington, for over 85 years, providing water to 116,000 people. As the county’s largest water provider, Skagit PUD delivers safe, reliable, and affordable water while pioneering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and energy security for the community. Learn more at www.skagitpud.org.
