Water for Energy: Challenges at the Energy-Water-Climate Nexus

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1 Water for Energy: Challenges at the Energy-Water-Climate Nexus Presented by John Gasper Argonne National Laboratory To the American Chemical Society Science and the Congress Project Panel: Energy, Water and Climate: Connecting the Dots November 16, 2009

2 Energy and Water are Inextricably linked Water for Energy Energy for Water 2

3 Energy requires Water Thermoelectric generation fossil nuclear renewable Hydropower generation Energy minerals extraction / mining Fuel Production fossil fuels hydrogen biofuels/ethanol Emission control 3

4 Energy related water withdrawals exceed all others in the U.S. Estimated freshwater withdrawal % thermoelectric generation 37% irrigation 13% public supplies 6% industrial 3% livestock Source: USGS Circular 1344, Estimated Use of Water in the U.S. in 2005,

5 Energy accounts for a growing portion of water consumption U.S. Freshwater Consumption, 100 Bgal/day Livestock 3.3% Domestic 7.1% Commercial 1.2% Irrigation 80.6% Industrial 3.3% Mining 1.2% Thermoelectric 3.3% Source: U.S. Department of Energy Report to Congress: Energy Demands on Water Resources, 2006 Thermoelectric energy accounts for 27 percent of non agricultural fresh water consumption Biofuels production and processing not included here 5

6 Future increases in energy demand will place additional pressure on water The Energy Information Administration estimates that by 2030 energy electricity generation will increase from 17 to 39% (reference case 24%) Thermoelectric generation will continue to account for up to 80% of generation Coal fired generation will account for over 50 % of generation Electricity from renewable sources is expected to increase to nearly 15% of total generation Source: EIA Energy Outlook 2009 Related increases will occur in water demand for cooling, feedstock and fuel production, and emission controls 6

7 Climate change shifts the basis for meeting energy and water challenges Energy use is the primary driver on climate change Changes to the water cycle may be one of the most significant impacts of climate change Water cycle changes may decrease water available for energy while increasing energy related water needs Some water supply solutions require additional energy for long distance transfers or desalination Key energy related climate mitigation measures (e.g., emission control, fuel switching) can increase energy and water demand 7

8 Controlling carbon increases demand for water and energy Conventional Pulverized Coal Combustion Water, energy directly needed for the CO 2 capture process Stack H 2 O, N 2 & other Coal Air Boiler Gas Cleanup Removal of SO 2, NOx, PM, trace metals Solvent based CO 2 Capture Water, energy indirectly needed to offset parasitic power required to operate CO 2 capture technology Enhance oil recovery Compression Geological sequestration 5 30% parasitic energy loss % increase in capital cost 30 80% increase in cost of electricity Source: NETL 2007 Pulverized Coal Oxyfuel Combustion Power Plants August 2007 Final Report. 8

9 Capturing carbon from fossil fueled power plants will increase water withdrawal requirements Water Withdrawal, gpm/mwh Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Pulverized Coal Natural Gas New Technology Existing Technology WITHOUT CO 2 WITH CO 2 Source: Coal and Performance Baseline for Fossil Energy Power Plants, Volume 1: Bituminous Coal and Natural Gas to Electricity; NETL, May 2007

10 Switching energy sources will not necessarily reduce the amounts of water required for thermoelectric cooling Plant Type Water Intensity (gal/mwhe) Renewable Conventional Advanced Conventional Withdrawal Consumption Solar Trough Solar Tower ~750 ~750 Geothermal ~2000 ~1400 Biomass Coal Nuclear Natural Gas Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle ~250 ~ Source: U.S. DOE Report to Congress: Energy Demands on Water

11 A shift to alternative transportation fuels is not water neutral Current transport fuel demand consumes 1.2 billion gallons of U.S. water daily Level of increased consumption will depend on market penetration of alternate fuels Source: U.S. Department of Energy Report to Congress: Energy Demands on Water Resources,

12 Alternate cooling technologies result in energy-water tradeoffs Technology Water Use (Gallons/MWH) Energy Penalty Withdrawal Consumption Annual average % of plant output Once Through 20,000 60, Wet Cooling 500 1, Dry Source: U.S. Department of Energy Report to Congress: Energy Demands on Water Resources,

13 Increasing reliance on renewable technologies can alter regional water demand USDA REGION Ethanol Water Consumption (gal. water/ gal. product) Surface Water Irrigation Ground Water Irrigation Corn Ethanol Production Cellulosic Ethanol Production Total Source: Wu, et.al., Argonne National Laboratory January 2009

14 Changes to the water cycle may have significant impacts on hydropower generation Conventional hydropower currently contributes 12% of electricity generated in U.S. Marine hydro kinetic technology and low impact new capacity (equipment upgrades, generation at non powered dams) could significantly increase contribution Installed capacity and generation potential reflects historic water cycles Climate change threats to hydropower include: Shifts in precipitation patterns Decreasing snowpack Competing water demands

15 Key challenges for development of sustainable energy and water policy: Supplying sufficient energy in the future, with limited water supplies Maintaining a sustainable water supply in the future without greatly increasing energy use Managing energy and water supplies in the context of land use and other natural resource issues 15

16 Meeting challenges require rethinking our approaches Energy intensity of water Use of water for cooling Heat recovery Life cycle based decisions To water supply Cost of water Reallocation of water through water markets Water reuse and reclamation on a larger scale To energy, water, land, natural resource planning Integrated analysis and planning Regional based decisions Source: Jeffrey Koseff presentation to CCST, May 12,

17 Water for energy challenges at the Energy- Water-Climate Nexus Energy and water are inextricably linked. Future increases in energy demand will place additional pressure on water resources Climate change shifts the basis for meeting energy and water challenges Key energy related climate mitigation measures (emission control, fuel switching) can increase energy and water demand Meeting challenges at the energywater- climate nexus requires rethinking our approaches Water for Energy and Energy for Water More information: John Gasper Argonne National Laboratory