Internet Based, GIS Catalog of Non-Traditional Sources of Cooling Water for Use at America's Coal-Fired Power Plants Page: 8 of 28
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As part of the National Energy Technology Laboratory's (NETL) research program that focuses
on reducing freshwater demands at coal-fired power plants, ALL Consulting has developed an
internet-based GIS catalog that will identify non-traditional water sources that could be used to
supplement or replace the use of traditional water sources. The data collected for the catalog has
been incorporated into a GIS-based application (referred to as the "Tool") that will allow the
identification of potential alternative water sources for coal-fired thermoelectric power plants
throughout the United States. The following discusses the necessity of an alternative water
source at power plants, the expected benefits of the Tool, and recent findings regarding the ap-
plicability of utilizing mine pool water, oil- and gas-produced water, and saline groundwater as a
means towards reducing freshwater withdrawal and consumption at coal-fired power plants.
Fresh Water Supply Concerns:
Rising populations and regional droughts create competition between domestic, industrial, and
agricultural water consumers for the nation's freshwater resources. Since 1950, the world's pop-
ulation has increased by 162 percent to over 6.7 billion people in 2008 (Census 2008). It is pro-
jected that within the next 25 years, the United States' population will increase by another 70
million individuals with most of the growth occurring in the already water-strained areas of the
southwest (Exhibit 1) (EPRI 2007). As national and regional populations multiply, the growing
need for energy and agricultural production-- the two largest water withdrawing industries in the
nation--will continue exerting pressure on strained freshwater resources.
Exhibit 1: Water Constrained Areas of the United States3$'
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Arthur, J. Daniel. Internet Based, GIS Catalog of Non-Traditional Sources of Cooling Water for Use at America's Coal-Fired Power Plants, report, September 30, 2011; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc841367/m1/8/: accessed May 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.