Generating Thermal Energy Requires Water, Lots of It

Water is an important part of the thermal energy process – one that we may not think as much about.

1 minute read

September 5, 2018, 12:00 PM PDT

By Camille Fink


Harbor Beach Power Plant

haveseen / Shutterstock

Akshat Rathi examines the role of water in thermal electricity generation, where it is used to condense cooled steam after the stream turns turbines. "In the US and Europe, more than half of the water drawn from nature is used for power generation. This year’s heatwave has forced some of those power plants to shut down," reports Rathi.

The amount of water used varies widely among types of thermal power plants. For example, the cooling towers of a nuclear power plant use over 1,100 gallons of water to produce a mega-watt hour of electricity while a geothermal power plant uses only 15 gallons. Rathi notes that this water goes back into the environment, but there is still a risk of the water temperature affecting plants and wildlife.

Hydropower, wind, and solar—non-thermal ways to generate energy—do not use water for cooling. However, hydropower uses large amounts of water for energy production. As a result, says Rathi, wind and solar power are the best bets for cutting both fuel and water use.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in Quartz

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Google street view of yellow "End Freeway 1/4 mile" sign on 90 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing

A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

September 26, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of 'bike lane' road sign with bike logo

Report: U.S. Biking Boom Slows

The pandemic bike boom is petering out, but more Americans are biking than ever before, signaling a need for cities to keep improving bike infrastructure and make roads safer for cyclists.

24 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

Newly constructed houses in Tempe, Arizona.

Tempe Historic Preservation Proposal Could Make it Harder to Build New Homes

Proposed changes to the city’s preservation ordinance would make two-thirds of the city’s housing stock eligible for preservation.

1 hour ago - The State Press

Blue and green city bus blurred in transit on New York City street.

How to Measure Transit Equity

A new report highlights the need to go beyond traditional equity metrics to assess how public transit systems are serving the lowest-income and most disadvantaged riders.

2 hours ago - Mineta Institute

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.