In more areas around the USA and world, water is becoming a
constraint on development. That is increasingly true for power
generation too. Indeed, water is joining the capital and fuel costs of a
new power plant, as critical variables in deciding what type of power
plant to build in various locations.
As
with capital costs and fuel costs, power generation technologies vary
greatly on how much water they need to operate, whether measured at the
power plant or over the lifecycle of the fuel used to make electricity.
According
to a new report, natural gas powered electricity requires 1.5 gallons
per kilowatt-hour; nuclear power 2.9 gallons per kwh; and coal-fired
generation 7.1 gallons per kwh.
www.rivernetwork.org/sites/default/files/BurningOurRivers_0.pdf
By
contrast to gas, coal, and nuclear, wind and solar photovoltaic require
tiny amounts of water. Solar thermal plants, however, are more water
intensive.
Looks like they exclude hydro fracking from nat gas upstream estimate.... Anyone have an up to date estimate on water use with modern technology?
ReplyDeletePage 10 of the report has a lifecycle chart, including fracking.
ReplyDeleteThe report actually states that it excluded fracking from their life cycle analysis. Odd considering it's relavence to the industry.
ReplyDelete