Department of Energy/Office of Fossil Energy's Power Plant Water Management R&D Program

SUMMARY Freshwater resources and reliable and secure electrical energy are inextricably linked. Thermoelectric generation requires a sustainable, abundant, and predictable source of water and is second only to irrigation as the largest user of freshwater in the United States. As the demand for electricity increases, so will the need for water for power generation. However, thermoelectric power plants will increasingly compete with demands for freshwater by the domestic, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and in-stream use sectors. In addition, current and future water-related environmental regulations and requirements will continue to challenge power plant operations. As such, there will be increasing pressure to retire existing plants and deny permits for new power plants due to water availability and quality issues. In response to this challenge to national energy sustainability and security, DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy/NETL is carrying out an R&D program focused on the development and application of advanced technologies and concept to better manage how power plant use and impact freshwater. Research is currently underway to assess and develop non-traditional sources of cooling and process water, advanced cooling water technologies, innovative water reuse and recovery technologies, and advanced wastewater treatment