Project title: Turning rainwater into energy

Team: OIKO-Detectives

1st Experimental General High School of Maroussi   Marousi   Greece   20 Student’s age: 14-15 years old

In recent years, intense and destructive rainfall phenomena have been observed in urban environments . Is it possible that this volume of rainwater, instead of causing damage, can be used positively? For example in the production of hydroelectric power in the urban fabric?
Τα τελευταία χρόνια παρατηρούνται φαινόμενα εντονων και καταστροφικών βροχοπτωσεων σε αστικό περιβάλλον . Είναι δυνατόν αυτός ο ογκος του βρόχινου νερού αντί να προκαλέσει ζημιές να χρησιμοποιηθεί θετικά; Πχ στην παραγωγή υδροηλεκτρικής ενέργειας μέσα στον αστικό ιστο;

The enormous importance of water in all areas of life is well known. But water, as
a natural resource, is not always available in the necessary quantities and forms. We cannot
ensure that it rains for example on the days we need it. The management of
so it should be done in the most optimal and efficient way.
Rainwater is a clean source of water, which falls to the earth in huge quantities, which
but they end up in the sewers and the sea. In addition, many times due to the intensity and
its volume causes serious damage. Does the collection and reuse of rainwater or the
energy production from it will solve many of the problems we face? Will it
contributes to the development of a region and the resource economy;
Instead of rainwater causing damage and flowing into the sewers, it can be collected in order to
used in domestic or municipal operations not requiring drinking water or used for
the production of hydroelectric power
We contacted Meteo and they sent us rainfall measurements of the last 10 years from
local weather station.
We spoke with a forester who analyzed the rainfall data we got from the
meteo platform. We learned how different cataclysmic events can affect the urban landscape.
Even when the rain falls on the mountain if we don’t have a forest there to retain the water eventually the water
will end up in the urban fabric.
We studied the map of Maroussi and identified the streams that exist.
We studied from the EO Browser images of our municipality on days of heavy rainfall.
We experimented by making homemade rain gauges and a water turbine.
We searched the internet, asked people who have used the water of the river for
energy production, and the basic idea can also be applied to rainwater.

What can we do to take advantage of rainwater? The answer needs imagination and
definitely a lot of study. In our area, in Maroussi, we are very lucky as we have many streams
and very close to us is the Sygrou forest. A forest with quite a large area and rich
vegetation, which inspired us for our idea. So we decided to propose, to transform
those tons of water that fall from the rain into electricity. This is an idea that not
not only does not harm the environment but also has an economic benefit.
With a system of pipes we will collect rainwater in one large tank or in several
smaller. The main tank must, however, be located in the appropriate position, which will be
decide the engineers of our municipality. But we who have come up with the idea will suggest to them
to place it at the highest point of the Sygrou forest. Inside the tank there will be a
a hydro turbine, which will generate electricity. In the beginning the amount of electricity production
energy will be small. But after a year of our proposal being in place and
the necessary improvements have already been made, production will increase. The current will be generated,
they will probably sell it to the PPC (Public Power Corporation), which will distribute it. This of course
will result in great economic gain.
This simple idea can be applied on a smaller scale. That is, in flooded neighborhoods
systematically in Maroussi, as well as in the neighborhoods where the two largest streams of the municipality
(next to the OTE building and the stream that descends from Melissia). So the fear
damage caused by heavy rainfall will be reduced and there will be a positive output.

Informing and raising awareness among our peers about the importance of the management of
rainwater.
Creation of an information brochure.
Contact with local associations in every neighborhood of the Municipality of Maroussi and discussion about the
problems they have faced with rainfall in recent years.
Contact with the National Technical University of Athens, description of our idea and request to
undertake the technical support of our proposal so that when we present it to the Municipality
to be integrated and sustainable.
Contact with the technical department of the Municipality of Maroussi and presentation of our proposal
Writing an article in the local newspaper to inform the local community.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Bl02I-Cc2iLAHbyXNfl_z4JRL-95i-_dBGoMSZR5kU8/edit?usp=sharing

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This project was automatically translated into English.
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