The river’s light: water needs for thermoelectric power generation in the Ebro river basin, 1969–2015
Date
2019Author
Version
Acceso abierto / Sarbide irekia
Type
Artículo / Artikulua
Version
Versión publicada / Argitaratu den bertsioa
Project Identifier
ES/1PE/HAR2014-53825-R ES/2PE/HAR2017-86086-R
Impact
|
10.3390/w11030441
Abstract
Water is essential for almost all energy processes. This paper analyses the evolution of
the cooling water needs of thermal power plants in the Ebro River basin, the largest contributor to
the Spanish electricity grid, over the period 1969–2015. It makes several contributions. First, the
cooling water needs for the plants are estimated. Second, these water requirements are compared to
other w ...
[++]
Water is essential for almost all energy processes. This paper analyses the evolution of
the cooling water needs of thermal power plants in the Ebro River basin, the largest contributor to
the Spanish electricity grid, over the period 1969–2015. It makes several contributions. First, the
cooling water needs for the plants are estimated. Second, these water requirements are compared to
other water-using activities in the region. Third, a long-term water-use efficiency analysis is carried
out. Finally, water-saving measures are proposed to counter possible future water scarcities. The
results show that thermoelectric water consumption per capita is around 7 m3/year. Estimated future
thermal power generation water withdrawals (around 500 m3 per capita/year) might compromise
flows for other water uses in periods of drought. [--]
Subject
Thermoelectricity,
Water consumption,
Water withdrawals,
Cooling technologies,
Ebro river
Publisher
MDPI
Published in
Water 2019, 11, 441
Departament
Universidad Pública de Navarra. Departamento de Economía /
Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa. Ekonomia Saila /
Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa. Inarbe - Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics
Publisher version
Sponsorship
This research was supported by the Spanish Government through the MINECO research projects,
references HAR2014-53825-R and HAR2017-86086-R. The author also benefits from a research contract from Spanish Government through MINECO reference BES-2015-074128.