Wind Energy for Thermoelectric Generation Water Supply
In 2000, the largest category of water withdrawals was thermoelectric power, accounting for 48% of total withdrawals in the United States. The primary use of water at plants is for condensing steam or cooling steam back into water. Water is also used in thermoelectric power plants to generate electricity, purge boilers, and wash stacks. Although newer plants recirculate water or use dry cooling, once-through cooling methods are the most common technology in use. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) estimates that over the next 20 years, the majority of new generation plants will use recirculating, closed-loop cooling technology, which will result in a 10% reduction in withdrawals but a dramatic increase in water consumption.
Wind energy does not consume water during electricity generation. Greater additions of wind to offset fossil, hydropower, and nuclear assets in a generation portfolio will result in a technology that uses no water, offsetting water-dependent technologies. By diversifying the generating portfolio energy mix, a utility can manage its water supply risks.
Related Information
To read more about wind energy for thermoelectric generation water supply click on the links to publications and organization below.
Organizations
Publications
Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
- Pace University's Power Scorecard
- The Last Straw Water Used by Power Plants in the Arid West, Clean Air Task Force, Land and Water Fund of the Rockies
April 2003 (PDF 508 KB)