Plant-level characteristics could aid in the assessment of water-related threats to the electric power sector

Abstract

Water is a necessary resource for thermoelectric power generation. Extreme conditions (e.g., droughts and floods) threaten both the quantity and quality of power plant water supply as well as disrupt wastewater discharges back to the environment. Changing climate conditions and water use regimes have prompted numerous assessments exploring the growing threat water poses to the electric power industry. However, lacking from public sources are plant-level data potentially important to such assessments. To better understand this data gap, a semi-structured interview approach was employed with a subset of (coal-fired) power plant owners and operators to characterize the modes by which extreme conditions impact their plant’s operations and the measures they have implemented to mitigate water related threats. Interviews engaged 69 power plants, characterized by a range of capacities, cooling types, and water sources. Twenty-five unique modes of impact were identified across the 69 plants, with 96% of plants reported taking some deliberate action to mitigate water-related threats; thirty-four different adaptive measures were recorded. Results here are intended to raise awareness for this potentially important data gap, which could influence the accuracy of projections concerning individual power plant operations under extreme climate conditions supporting grid reliability and long-term system planning exercises.