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Grant PID2020-114781RA-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.

Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Llácer-Iglesias, RmCorresponding AuthorLópez-Jiménez, PaAuthorPérez-Sánchez, MAuthor

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October 30, 2024
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Hydropower Technology for Sustainable Energy Generation in Wastewater Systems: Learning from the Experience

Publicated to:Water. 13 (22): 3259- - 2021-11-01 13(22), DOI: 10.3390/w13223259

Authors: Llacer-Iglesias, Rosa M; Lopez-Jimenez, P Amparo; Perez-Sanchez, Modesto

Affiliations

Univ Politecn Valencia, Hydraul & Environm Engn Dept - Author

Abstract

Hydropower is a well-known technology, applied worldwide for electricity generation from renewable sources. Within the current framework, some studies have started to consider its application to existing urban water systems, to harness an excess of energy that otherwise would be wasted. This research sought to determine a methodology to assess the potential of hydropower application to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), regarding different aspects of sustainability. Firstly, previously developed methodologies for potential assessment in this sector at a country level were analyzed. Secondly, data from existing real case studies were gathered from publicly available documents and a theoretical analysis of their actual performance was conducted to validate assumptions made in the previous methodologies. As a result, the proposed new approach suggests adapting methodologies for potential assessment at a lower level, considering possible driving factors, other than economic feasibility. To define the study area, the management model scope should be considered. The power to determine the cut-off point for a WWTP to be considered as a potential site, is proposed to be lowered according to technical feasibility. Additionally, bearing in mind the sustainability concept, social or environmental factors should also be introduced in the methodology, tailored to the region being assessed. This novel perspective could provide a closer approach to the most likely decision-making level for these kinds of strategies in the wastewater industry.

Keywords

'currentAffordable and clean energyAlternative energyClean water and sanitationClimate actionDecision makingEfficiencyElectricity generationElectricity-generationEnergy recoveryEnvironmental factorHydraulic machineryHydraulic motorsHydroelectric powerHydroelectric power plantsHydropowerIndustryIts applicationsLearningMethodologyMicro-hydropowerPotential assessmentPowerPower generationReal applicationReal applicationReal applicationsReclamationRenewable resourceRenewable sourcesResearch and methodologyResource recoveryReuseSavingsSewage pumping plantsSustainabilitySustainable developmentSystem learningTreatment plantsUkWaste water systemsWastewaterWastewater managementWastewater treatmentWastewater treatment plantsWater treatment plants

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Water due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2021, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Geography, Planning and Development.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations from Scopus Elsevier, it yields a value for the Field-Weighted Citation Impact from the Scopus agency: 1.88, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 2.79 (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-16, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 14
  • Scopus: 21

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-16:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 74.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 84 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.75.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 4 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/10251/180291
Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 13 - Climate Action, ODS 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, ODS 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, with a probability of 0% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Llácer Iglesias, Rosa María) and Last Author (PÉREZ SÁNCHEZ, MODESTO).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Llácer Iglesias, Rosa María.