Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Water Consumption in Electricity Generation Using Different Technologies

1. Water consumption in electricity generation (including water consumed during fuel extraction and processing)
Note: 

OT: Once-through
CL: Closed-loop/cooling pond


Source: Mielke, E., Anadon, L. D., & Narayanamurti, V. (2010). Water Consumption of Energy Resource Extraction, Processing, and Conversion. Energy Technology Innovation Policy Discussion Paper, 2010-15. Harvard Kennedy School. [Full-text at http://j.mp/Water_KSG]

2. Comparison of water withdrawal across fuel cycles
Generation Technology
Water Consumption
(gal/MWh)
(l/MWh)
Nuclear, once-through
31,701
120,000
Nuclear, recirculating
1,321
5,000
Nuclear, cooling pond
1,030
3,900
Coal, once-through
25,995
98,400
Coal, recirculating
660
2,500
Coal, cooling pond
17,250
65,300
Oil/Gas, once-through
22,692
85,900
Oil/Gas, recirculating
608
2,300
Oil/Gas, cooling pond
7,899
29,900
Wind
61
230
PV, multi-Si
502
1,900
PV, CdTe
211
800
Hydro
21
80
Biomass, Southwest
115,707
438,000
Biomass, Midwest
528
2,000
Source: Fthenakis, V., & Kim, H. C. (2010). Life-cycle uses of water in U.S. electricity generation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews14, 2039-2048. [Full-text at http://j.mp/Water_LCA]

3. Water intensity of electricity by fuel source and generation technology
Generation Technology
Water Consumption (gal/MWh)
Total
Wet Cooling
Generation
Producing Fuel Source
Nuclear
475-900
400-720
30
45-150
Fossil Thermal
335-584
300-480
30
5-74
Coal IGCC
342-414
200
137-140
5-74
Natural Gas Combined Cycle
198-201
180
7-10
11
Wind
0
0
0
0
PV
5
0
5
0
Solar Trough
840-1000
760-920
80
0
Solar Tower
830
750
80
0
Biomass
330-510
300-480
30
Highly variable depending on whether biomass is irrigated
Hydroelectric
4500
Not applicable
0
Highly variable, avg. 4,500 due to evaporation
Geothermal
1400
1400
Not available
Not available
Source: Carter, N. T., & Campbell, R. J. (2009). Water Issues of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Electricity in the U.S. Southwest. CRS Report for Congress, R40631 (June 8, 2009). Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service. [Full-text at http://j.mp/Water_Power]


4. Percentage distribution of cooling technology by generation type in the United States

Generation Type
Percentage (%)
Wet Recirculating
Once-Through
Dry
Cooling Pond
Coal
48.0%
39.1%
0.2%
12.7%
Fossil Non-Coal
23.8%
59.2%
0.0%
17.1%
Combined Cycle
30.8%
8.6%
59.0%
1.7%
Nuclear
43.6%
38.1%
0.0%
18.3%
Total
41.9%
42.7%
0.9%
14.5%
Source: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). (2009). Estimating Freshwater Needs to Meet Future Thermoelectric Generation Requirements: 2009 Update (DOE/NETL-400/2009/1339). [Full-text at http://j.mp/Power_vs_Cooling]

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