Innovation

TEMSAN, a Turkish state-owned company under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, has developed an innovative energy solution called Hidrotem. This compact, portable hydroelectric power system is designed to harness energy from existing pressurized water lines such as those used in municipal water supply, irrigation, and transmission infrastructure. Traditionally, pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) are used to manage flow and pressure, but they waste the kinetic energy in the process. Hidrotem replaces these systems with micro-hydropower turbines that generate electricity from the flowing water—without requiring major infrastructure changes or civil construction.

The idea emerged in response to the high cost and complexity of small- and mid-scale hydroelectric projects in Turkey. Beginning with R&D in 2021, TEMSAN's engineering and innovation teams developed the first prototypes and performed successful field tests across different regions of Turkey. The system can produce between 0.5 kW and 1 MW of electricity, depending on the pressure and flow of the water line. Hidrotem includes smart control systems and can be remotely monitored, making it not only sustainable but also user-friendly and scalable.

By transforming previously untapped water pressure into clean energy, Hidrotem addresses multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 13: Climate Action. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves energy efficiency in public infrastructure, and supports national goals for renewable energy and technological self-sufficiency. This forward-thinking innovation offers a replicable model for sustainable development in both developed and emerging economies.

Inspiration

The inspiration behind Hidrotem arose from a deeply rooted awareness of untapped energy potential in Turkey’s existing water infrastructure. TEMSAN’s leadership and engineering teams noticed that countless pressure-breaking points in water distribution networks were wasting energy daily. This energy could instead be harnessed to produce electricity in a sustainable, decentralized way.

The initial motivation came from a practical challenge: small and mid-sized hydroelectric systems were often dismissed due to their high construction costs and logistical complications. TEMSAN’s leaders envisioned a system that didn’t need major infrastructure changes, civil works, or extensive installation time. They believed in creating a compact, cost-effective solution that could be integrated easily into existing systems.

“We kept asking ourselves a simple question,” said the TEMSAN engineer during the interview. ‘Why are we letting energy go to waste at every pressure valve across the country? There had to be a smarter way.’ That question became the driving force behind months of R&D, prototype testing, and field trials. The team was further inspired by Turkey’s national goals to strengthen local technology and reduce dependence on foreign energy systems.

The project aligned with TEMSAN’s core mission: developing locally-produced, innovative technologies to contribute to Turkey’s energy independence and sustainability. It was not just about efficiency. It was about empowering public institutions, municipalities, and even rural infrastructures with renewable energy solutions that are both practical and affordable. Hidrotem was born from this vision of combining technical ingenuity with social and environmental impact.

Overall impact

The Hidrotem innovation by TEMSAN has had a meaningful impact both in the short and long term across technical, environmental, and economic dimensions. In the short term, pilot installations in municipalities and water authorities in Turkey demonstrated immediate reductions in energy costs and carbon emissions. By replacing traditional pressure-reducing valves with Hidrotem units, facilities began generating clean electricity from water pressure that would otherwise be wasted. This reduced grid dependency and allowed local governments to redirect energy savings toward other public services.

In the long term, the innovation holds the potential to transform how decentralized energy systems are integrated into water infrastructure. The system's scalability and affordability make it a viable solution for remote or rural areas, where building conventional hydro plants may not be feasible. Furthermore, its modular design and AI-based control systems support integration with smart grid technologies that paving the way for a more resilient and intelligent energy infrastructure.

Evidence of the impact can be seen in both operational reports and continued demand for deployment. According to internal project assessments, Hidrotem units have achieved efficiency levels that meet international micro-hydropower benchmarks while operating with minimal maintenance. More importantly, the project has attracted attention from other state institutions and development agencies, indicating growing recognition of its replicability. TEMSAN’s innovation is not only reducing emissions and utility costs today but also setting a precedent for how public infrastructure can contribute to achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) in practice.

Business benefit

Because TEMSAN developed Hidrotem, the company has strengthened its position as a national leader in sustainable energy technologies and expanded its presence into new markets, particularly within the public utilities and municipal infrastructure sectors. By offering a unique, locally-produced micro-hydropower solution that addresses energy efficiency and sustainability, TEMSAN differentiated itself from traditional engineering firms and positioned itself as an innovator aligned with global clean energy goals. As a result, the company has opened new sales and partnership opportunities with local governments and water authorities throughout Turkey.

The success of Hidrotem also had a positive internal impact. The innovation process encouraged cross-departmental collaboration—especially between R&D, manufacturing, and executive leadership—and fostered a culture of creativity and ownership among engineers and technical staff. This has contributed to improved employee engagement and retention, especially among young engineers who are motivated by meaningful, climate-focused work. Moreover, as demand grows, TEMSAN anticipates increasing production capacity, which may lead to new hiring needs in both its Ankara-based facilities and field operations.

Financially, the project has created a new revenue stream through product sales and consulting services related to system installation and optimization. It has also sparked interest from investors and state institutions seeking scalable clean energy models. Because TEMSAN pursued this innovation, the company has not only created a high-impact product but also unlocked long-term business resilience and sustainable growth opportunities—firmly tying its commercial success to its commitment to solving global environmental challenges.

Social and environmental benefit

TEMSAN’s Hidrotem innovation delivers substantial environmental and societal benefits by transforming existing water infrastructure into a source of renewable energy. Traditionally, pressure-reducing valves in municipal and agricultural water systems dissipate energy as waste. Hidrotem captures this energy and converts it into clean electricity—reducing dependence on fossil fuels and helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This directly supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by making sustainable energy more accessible and integrated into daily infrastructure.

From a societal perspective, the innovation promotes energy equity by enabling public institutions—such as municipalities, water utilities, and irrigation cooperatives—to generate their own energy locally. This reduces operational costs, which can translate into better public service delivery and reduced utility expenses for citizens. Additionally, because Hidrotem is a compact and non-invasive system, it avoids the environmental disruption typically associated with hydroelectric construction. It requires no major civil works, preserving natural landscapes and minimizing ecological impact.

The system also encourages knowledge sharing and technological self-sufficiency. By being locally developed and produced, Hidrotem strengthens national capacity for clean tech innovation and creates opportunities for job growth in green engineering fields. Its success serves as a replicable model for developing countries looking to meet sustainability goals without the burden of massive infrastructure investments. In sum, Hidrotem offers a forward-thinking solution that empowers communities, protects ecosystems, and brings clean energy closer to the people who need it most.

Interview

Elif Erin, Electrical and Electronics Engineer