Tualatin Installs Micro Hydro Turbine to Boost Energy Resilience

The new turbine will save the city money and help it reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The city of Tualatin, Oregon is installing a new micro hydro turbine that will use the excess pressure and flow of water in the city's distribution system to generate electricity. The turbine will power the City Services Center and is part of the city's plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Why it matters

This project demonstrates how small-scale renewable energy projects can provide both cost savings and increased energy resilience for local communities. As cities work to reduce their carbon footprints, innovative solutions like this micro hydro turbine can serve as a model for other municipalities looking to integrate renewable energy into their infrastructure.

The details

The new turbine is replacing an existing valve that reduces pressure in Tualatin's water distribution system. By capturing the excess pressure and flow, the turbine will generate electricity to power the City Services Center. The project was funded primarily through grants, incentives, and tax credits from Portland General Electric, the Oregon Department of Energy, and Energy Trust of Oregon.

  • The city of Tualatin is currently installing the new micro hydro turbine.

The players

Nic Westendorf

The deputy public works director for the city of Tualatin.

Dave Moldal

The senior program manager for the Energy Trust of Oregon.

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What they’re saying

“I hope our project can serve as an example of both how this can be integrated into the water system without impacts to the water customers and to showcase the funding and partnership opportunities to get these designed and in the ground.”

— Nic Westendorf, Deputy Public Works Director, City of Tualatin (statenews.net)

“This hydro turbine, well maintained, is going to operate for 50 to 100 years in the future. They're creating a piece of equipment that has significant economic returns for the community.”

— Dave Moldal, Senior Program Manager, Energy Trust of Oregon (statenews.net)

What’s next

The city is exploring pairing the new micro hydro turbine with a microgrid, battery storage, and possibly solar capacity to further enhance Tualatin's energy resilience.

The takeaway

Tualatin's innovative use of a micro hydro turbine to generate renewable energy and reduce costs demonstrates how small-scale infrastructure projects can help cities work towards their sustainability goals. This model could be replicated in other communities looking to integrate renewable power into their existing water systems.