Energy

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, present day water and energy systems are interdependent. Water is used in all phases of energy production and electricity generation. Energy is required to extract, convey, and deliver water of appropriate quality for diverse human uses, and then again to treat wastewater prior to their return to the environment. Resources available in this sub-theme include reviews of diverse technologies and information on alternative energy sources such as biogas and solar, as well as other energy and water resources.

Energy Resources

Energy and Water in the Western and Texas Interconnects

Publication date:
March 1, 2014
U.S. Department of Energy
View and download energy and water data collected in support of long term transmission planning in the western U.S.. Data categories include thermoelectric water use, water availability, water cost, future water use and an ecorisk calculator.Read more

Geographic Footprint of Electricity Use for Water Services in the Western U.S.

Publication date:
June 25, 2014
U.S. Department of Energy
A significant fraction of our nation’s electricity use goes to lift, convey, and treat water, while the resulting expenditures on electricity represent a key budgetary consideration for water service providers. To improve understanding of the electricity-for-water interdependency, electricity used...Read more

Potential Impacts of Electric Power Production Utilizing Natural Gas, Renewables and Carbon Capture and Sequestration on U.S. Freshwater Resources

Publication date:
June 21, 2013
U.S. Department of Energy
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has important implications relative to future thermoelectric water use. A bounding analysis is performed using past greenhouse gas emission policy proposals and assumes either all effected capacity retires (lower water use bound) or is retrofitted (upper bound...Read more

Exploring the Water-Thermoelectric Power Nexus

Publication date:
September 1, 2012
U.S. Department of Energy
In 2005, thermoelectric power accounted for 41% of all freshwater withdrawals and roughly 3% of all consumptive use in the United States. With the demand for electricity projected to increase by 24% by 2035 concerns have been raised as to the availability of water for this growing industry;...Read more

Water Prism Volume 1

Publication date:
January 1, 2012
Electric Power Research Institute
The report includes a high level summary of the conceptual design of Water Prism, and walks the reader through the major steps of a Water Prism analysis. The report explains in detail the calculations for free flowing rivers, impoundments and rivers below impoundments, and groundwater. The report...Read more

Managing Water Resource Requirements for Growing Electric Generation Demands

Publication date:
January 1, 2009
Electric Power Research Institute
This report is a general guide to analytical techniques used to address water resource management as related to long-term sustainability planning, and short-term regulatory requirements, including total maximum daily loads, endangered species, and relicensing of hydropower facilities. The example...Read more

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