Estimated energy and emissions impacts of pumping Pacific Ocean water to Great Salt Lake

Abstract

Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA, has receded in recent years. Among many options proposed to augment inflows is a pipeline from the Pacific Ocean. We estimate a lower bound for the ongoing energy requirements, assuming one-third of the recommended additional inflow will be pumped through a single, smooth, large-diameter pipeline along a fictitious, shortest route without mountains, considering only elevation change and head loss. Pumping would require at least 400 megawatts of electricity during operation, an amount equivalent to a large power plant, or 11% of Utah’s annual electricity demand. Given current energy prices and fuel mixes, the electricity would cost over $300,000,000 annually and emit nearly 1,000,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to 200,000 passenger vehicles. The figures could easily triple with longer routes, mountainous terrain, higher flows, smaller diameters, multiple pipelines, less-efficient pumps, and any required treatment. Just this one early glimpse reveals serious challenges to the pipeline's completion. Our estimate may help select—or eliminate—alternatives for Great Salt Lake. Any alternative selected for further consideration would require a feasibility study with more details.