Answer extracted from the Empowering Industry Podcast - A Production of Empowering Pumps & Equipment podcast — listen to the full episode below.
How smart pump technology is being tested in real building systems?
Hydro runs a dedicated research and development project in its test lab where smart pump algorithms compete in a competitive shootout to prove their real-world performance in building circulation and heating/cooling systems. This shift from pure service-focused testing to innovation-driven research allows Hydro to measure exactly how much energy efficiency and savings each technology delivers.
The methodology behind this R&D initiative is straightforward but rigorous. Rather than relying on theoretical performance claims or vendor specifications, Hydro's test lab puts competing algorithms directly to the test under controlled conditions. This hands-on approach reveals which smart pump technologies genuinely capture the efficiency gains promised to customers and which fall short in practice.
As Glenn Powell explains in the episode, this project represents a meaningful evolution in how Hydro approaches innovation. The company's decades of reliability and service experience are now being channeled into validating emerging technologies before they are deployed in customer installations.
The test lab itself is a critical asset for this work. Equipped to handle up to 5,000 horsepower, 40,000 gallons per minute of discharge flow, and pressures up to 3,000–4,000 PSI, the facility provides the scale and precision needed to simulate real building conditions. This allows engineers to test smart pump algorithms under realistic loads and operating scenarios rather than in isolated lab environments.
"Your integrity and your honesty is kind of a limited resource, and you only ever have the chance to introduce yourself once in your career."
Glenn Powell — Senior Engineer at Hydro. With 13 years at the company, Powell has progressed from CAD drafter and junior engineer during the 2008–2009 economic crisis to a key member of Hydro's global engineering group, leading major innovation projects and customer solutions.
The competitive shootout format is particularly valuable because it forces clarity on performance metrics. Engineers can measure actual energy consumption, compare algorithms head-to-head, and identify which designs deliver measurable savings versus incremental improvements. This data-driven validation protects customers from investing in technologies that promise efficiency but fail to deliver in real operating conditions.
This research direction also signals a broader shift in how Hydro sees its role. Rather than remaining purely a service and repair provider—still core to the business—the company is actively participating in shaping the next generation of pump technology. Learn more about how Hydro's test lab capabilities and global engineering focus drive innovation across the industry.
See also
What testing capabilities does Hydro's pump test lab provide to the industry?
Hydro's test lab facility can accommodate up to 5,000 horsepower, up to 40,000 gallons per minute of discharge flow, and three to 4,000 PSI on the discharge side, making it capable of running comprehensive performance and reliability tests on industrial pump systems.
What is the Centaur system and how does wireless condition monitoring improve pump maintenance?
The Centaur is a wireless condition monitoring system that uses vibration data to diagnose machine health. Instead of traditional route-based monitoring that captures only two data points per year, Centaur collects 24 data points daily, enabling faster detection of equipment degradation and more proactive maintenance decisions.
How did a career in pump engineering begin during the 2008-2009 economic crisis?
Glenn Powell started during the global economic crisis in 2008 and 2009 with a master's degree but nowhere to use it. His first step into the industry was CAD drafting work and assemblies for a manufacturing company, where a colleague recommended he apply to Hydro, a company that took a chance on him despite his lack of pump industry experience.