Three key reports from the U.S. Energy Department address water impacts in geothermal energy production. Two recently issued studies, produced by Argonne National Laboratory for the Department's Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), highlight methods for economizing water use in geothermal applications. These reports complement a Department-wide report released in June that assesses water usage in multiple energy applications, including geothermal.
Geothermal Water Use: Life Cycle Water Consumption, Water Resource Assessment, and Water Policy Framework, now available through the Energy Department's Geothermal Data Repository, projects geothermal water demand over the next 20-30 years.
Life Cycle Water Consumption and Water Resource Assessment for Utility-Scale Geothermal Systems, also available through the DOE Geothermal Data Repository is third in a series of reports by Argonne sponsored by the GTO.
The Department's Water-Energy Tech Team report – The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities – frames an integrated challenge and opportunity dialogue to address water use among energy technologies for the Department and its partners, laying the foundation for future efforts.
