Apprentice beats old hands in invention competition

A Scottish Water apprentice has won Scottish and UK awards for an invention that could generate electricity by deploying a turbine to harness energy from water flowing in mains pipes.

Zac Mooney, 22, presented his idea at the recent UK-wide Pipeline Industries Guild Professional Development Network Competition held in Coventry, coming up against experienced industry professionals. He had earlier won the Scottish award.

Addressing an audience of over 100 industry experts, Mooney described how a turbine installed on a critical clean water main at Carron Valve Chamber would provide nearly 20% of the energy needs for the nearby Dalderse Waste Water Treatment Works.