Water Impacts of a Low-Carbon Electric Power Future: Assessment Methodology and Status

Water is an integral element of energy production. Future US energy production will increasingly be driven by the need to mitigate climate change, posing complex water challenges. The water impacts of electricity generation in a carbon-constrained future have been a subject of active research. This paper reviews technologies and regulatory policy options for low-carbon electricity generation, including systems that use fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage, renewables such as wind, solar, and biomass, and nuclear energy. We also review cooling technologies in support of thermoelectric power generation, report and discuss current assessment methods and results on water use for low-carbon energy production, and identify adaptive approaches that could reinforce resilience for low-carbon electricity generation. Some recommendations are made for future research.