Turning Water Infrastructure into Clean Power: Rentricity and St. Mary’s Area Water Authority Launch In-Conduit Hydropower Project in Pennsylvania to Advance Clean Energy and Support Growing U.S. Energy Demand

MENDHAM, N.J., Dec. 2, 2025 — Rentricity Inc., a leading developer of in-conduit hydropower systems, announced a new project with the St. Mary’s Area Water Authority (SMAWA) in Pennsylvania to convert the energy of flowing water into clean, renewable electricity. The project furthers Rentricity’s effort to transform water infrastructure into a distributed network of energy-generating assets that support local sustainability goals and growing U.S. energy demand driven by AI and data center expansion.

Project Overview

The St. Mary’s In-Conduit Hydropower Project will install Rentricity’s proprietary Flow-to-Wire™ turbine-generator system inside SMAWA’s gravity-fed raw water line operating at approximately 26 psi (less than 60 feet of head). This is Rentricity’s lowest-head Flow-to-Wire™ installation to date, demonstrating the technology’s ability to capture clean energy from low-pressure systems while preserving water quality and service reliability.

The system is turnkey — designed, engineered and supplied by Rentricity — and provides a scalable model for municipalities seeking improved sustainability and operational efficiency even when head pressure is limited.

Harnessing Water for a New Energy Era

U.S. energy and water demands are rising, in part due to AI-powered data centers and high-performance computing facilities. These facilities require substantial power and water resources, prompting utilities and planners to pursue decentralized clean power solutions at the local level. Rentricity’s in-conduit hydropower captures energy at pressure-reducing points in water systems and converts excess flow into renewable electricity, reducing load on regional grids and creating a potential new revenue stream for utilities.

“Turning water infrastructure into clean power is no longer just an environmental choice — it’s an operational necessity,” said Frank Zammataro, CEO and Co-Founder of Rentricity. “This project with St. Mary’s demonstrates how existing municipal systems can become distributed clean energy producers, helping communities lower costs, reduce emissions, and build resilience into the grid. As data centers and AI systems drive future energy demand, energy recovery solutions like this will play an essential role.”

Local Benefits and Environmental Impact

The St. Mary’s installation is expected to generate approximately 157,680 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually — roughly the equivalent of powering 12 homes per year. Over a 40-year life cycle, the system will offset more than 2,400 metric tons of CO2e and reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions, directly supporting Pennsylvania’s greenhouse gas reduction and clean air goals.

“This project helps us do more with the resources we already manage,” said Randy Gradizzi, Chairman of the St. Mary’s Area Water Authority. “By capturing clean energy from our own system, we’re lowering operating costs and supporting regional sustainability. It’s a win for our customers, our community, and the environment.”

A Model for Sustainable Utilities Nationwide

Rentricity’s Flow-to-Wire™ systems are NSF 61/372 certified for drinking water use and are also available for irrigation and industrial applications. Each installation is custom-engineered for site-specific hydraulics to maximize power recovery, efficiency and operational performance. Designed for continuous operation with minimal maintenance, these systems are built to last 40 years or more, reducing equipment turnover and material waste while extending the life of existing water infrastructure.

With more than 30 projects across North America, Rentricity is expanding in-conduit hydropower as a key component of the Water-Energy Nexus — the intersection of water management, clean energy, climate policy and infrastructure resilience. The company’s technology supports U.S. Department of Energy objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance distributed renewable energy by converting excess water pressure into sustainable electricity.

Project at a Glance

• Location: St. Mary’s Area Water Authority, Pennsylvania
• Technology: Rentricity Flow-to-Wire™ Turbine Generator System
• Annual Energy Output: ~157,680 kWh
• Annual GHG Reduction: ~60 metric tons CO₂e
• Environmental Impact: 40-year electricity offset: ~2,400 metric tons CO₂e; equivalent power for 12 homes annually
• Applications: Drinking Water Treatment Plant

About St. Mary’s Area Water Authority (SMAWA)

The St. Mary’s Area Water Authority is a municipal water utility serving the City of St. Mary’s and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania. SMAWA provides high-quality drinking water through a gravity-fed system sourced from regional headwaters and managed with a focus on operational efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility. The authority seeks innovative solutions to improve service reliability, reduce costs and support Pennsylvania’s climate and energy goals.

About Rentricity

Rentricity Inc. is a U.S. developer of in-conduit hydropower systems, providing turnkey Flow-to-Wire™ solutions that convert excess pressure in water, irrigation and industrial pipelines into clean electricity. The company’s patented technologies and engineering expertise help utilities reduce energy costs, generate revenue and meet sustainability targets, supporting the clean energy transition and the pursuit of net-zero emissions.

Headquarters: Mendham, New Jersey
Website: www.rentricity.com

Media Contacts

Rentricity Inc.
Attn: Media Relations
Email: [email protected]

St. Mary’s, PA
Attn: Dwight Hoare
Email: [email protected]

Source: Rentricity Inc.