Withdrawal and Consumption of Water by Thermoelectric Power Plants in the United States, 2015
Scientific Investigations Report
2019-5103
U.S. Geological Survey Water Availability and Use Science Program
Links
- Document: Report (800 kB pdf)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Water withdrawal and consumption estimates for thermoelectric power plants in the United States, 2015
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey has developed models to estimate thermoelectric water use based on linked heat and water budgets. The models produced plant-level withdrawal and consumption estimates using consistent methods for 1,122 water-using, utility-scale thermoelectric power plants in the United States for 2015. Total estimated withdrawal for 2015 was about 103 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d), and total estimated consumption was about 2.7 Bgal/d. Model-estimated withdrawals decreased approximately 26 Bgal/d, or 20 percent, since 2010, and consumption decreased approximately 734 million gallons per day, or 21 percent. The decrease in thermoelectric water use between 2010 and 2015 can be attributed in part to a 7-percent decrease in total thermoelectric utility-scale electricity production, a combination of decreased electricity production and closure of coal-fired plants with once-through cooling systems, and the increase of electricity production at natural gas combined-cycle plants, which are more energy- and water-efficient than conventional thermoelectric plants.
Suggested Citation
Harris, M.A., and Diehl, T.H., 2019, Withdrawal and consumption of water by thermoelectric power plants in the United States, 2015: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2019–5103, 15 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20195103.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
ISSN: 2328-031X (print)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Purpose and Scope
- Methods
- Results and Discussion
- Conclusions
- References
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Withdrawal and consumption of water by thermoelectric power plants in the United States, 2015 |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2019-5103 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20195103 |
| Publication Date | October 08, 2019 |
| Year Published | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Tennessee Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: iv, 15 p.; Data Release |
| Country | United States |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |