emily folk

How the Energy Industry Contributes to Water Pollution

There is a unique connection between the use of water and the production of energy. Energy production heavily depends on our limited resource of water during the creation process, while providing freshwater to our population uses a great deal of energy. The multidimensional dynamic of these two resources causes growing concerns, as their accessibility becomes limited over time. Let's take a look at how energy production negatively impacts water pollution. 
How the Energy Industry Contributes to Water Pollution
Pixabay

Water Use in Energy Production

Almost all energy production relies on the use of vast amounts of water across many different power plants. Most power plants around the world burn fuel such as gas or coal to produce energy. The tremendous heat this process generates boils water, thus emitting a surplus of steam within the plant. The steam is responsible for spinning the turbines, which can generate electricity. Also, the refinement of transportation fuels, mining coal, growing crops for biofuels and extracting specific sources of petroleum all require the use of water. If we do not drastically change our methods of energy production, there will be permanent ramifications to our environment.

The Consequence of Avoiding Sustainable Energy Production: Water Pollution

Due to the link between water and energy, issues for one source can create enormous problems for the other. This predicament leads to dangerous implications for water pollution in the nearby water source of energy plants. The water used for once-through coal plants usually gets pumped directly back into its source. The wastewater is considerably warmer, creating thermal pollution, which can increase the heart rate of sea animals and decrease their fertility. When the water returns to its source of rivers, lakes, streams and oceans, it is often dangerously toxic for humans and the environment.

In contrast, wet-recirculating plants bypass this issue of extensive water pollution by employing water-cooling systems. However, in the process, these plants consume more water — up to billions of gallons each year. The time to fundamentally change the way the energy industry functions is now.

Solutions for the Energy Industry to Decrease Water Pollution

Many technology leaders are shaping solutions for various plants to address the water-related impacts of energy production. Some of the most common solutions to decreasing water pollution include:

In 2017 alone, about 80% of U.S. and Canada electricity production involved the use of non-renewable sources. The industries in these countries that used the most energy include the industrial, transportation, residential and commercial sectors. Although experts have recognized the need for change, and energy leaders have made small strides in recent years, the industry overall has a long way to go to attain a brighter future.

The Bottom Line: Limit the Pollution of Water in Energy Production

As an energy professional or concerned individual involved in the energy industry, it is essential to fully understand the severity of the issue at hand when determining how energy production impacts and fuels water pollution. The way the population decides to use water in the future for this production will ultimately affect the bodies of water our nation and the entire world depend upon.

 

 

Baterías con premio en la gran feria europea del almacenamiento de energía
El jurado de la feria ees (la gran feria europea de las baterías y los sistemas acumuladores de energía) ya ha seleccionado los productos y soluciones innovadoras que aspiran, como finalistas, al gran premio ees 2021. Independientemente de cuál o cuáles sean las candidaturas ganadoras, la sola inclusión en este exquisito grupo VIP constituye todo un éxito para las empresas. A continuación, los diez finalistas 2021 de los ees Award (ees es una de las cuatro ferias que integran el gran evento anual europeo del sector de la energía, The smarter E).