Energy for Water For the ACS Briefing “Energy, Water and Climate: Connecting the Dots”
Heather Cooley Pacific Institute December 2009
Overview ♦ Energy for Water
♦ Challenges these connections present,
particularly in light of climate change ♦ Opportunities
Water Supply – Use – Disposal All Require Energy Source and Transport Treatment Distribution
End Use Energy
Wastewater Treatment
National Estimate of WaterRelated Energy? ♦ 4% of the nation’s annual electricity use, or
123 billion kWh per year, for water supply and treatment (EPRI 2000) ♦ Widely acknowledged to be too low – Tremendous variability among water systems and little reliable data – Does not include end-use energy
Energy Intensity of Water Sources, San Diego Recycled Water
Groundwater
Brackish Water Desalination
Imported ‐ Colorado River
Imported ‐ Delta
Seawater Desalination 0 Source: Energy Down the Drain
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000 12,000 14,000
Energy Intensity (kWh/MG)
[map from Nations Online Project]
Water-Related Electricity and Natural Gas Use Wastew ater Treatm ent 3%
Wastewater Treatment 1%
Water Supply and Treatment
