Energy's Thirst For Water Challenges Carbon Debate
Boston, MA – July 15, 2009 –
The immediate need to reduce carbon emissions has dominated public debate
around clean energy production. But the singular focus on carbon has
distracted from energy’s growing impact on the planet’s dwindling water
sources, according to the latest report from Lux Research.
The report, titled “Global Energy: Unshackling Carbon from Water,” observes
that while new energy sources and extraction methods may reduce carbon
intensity – kilograms of CO2 emitted per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of useful
energy – they often impose increased water usage.
“On a planet where only 0.008% of the water is renewable, such trade-offs
will become an increasingly important consideration for executives and
policymakers,” said Michael LoCascio, a Senior Analyst at Lux Research, and
the report’s lead author. “Fortunately, many of the technologies and
approaches needed to reduce water intensity are here today, or on the
horizon.”
Lux Research’s report provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of
how all the major conventional and alternative fuel and electricity sources
balance their CO2 and water intensity, as well as other important factors
like cost and scalability. It also rigorously analyzes how alternative
energy sources, improved extraction and efficiency, water recycling
technologies, and improved energy distribution could help increase the
environmental and economic viability for given energy technologies. The
report finds that:
* Coal and natural gas electricity sources will continue to dominate in the
near term. But expect to see more retrofits and upgrades of existing
facilities to make them more water and/or energy efficient. Representative
solutions include boiler water treatments, like electrocoagulation, advanced
ion exchange and membrane electrolysis, as well as dry condensers and
cooling tower water recapture.
* Conventional fossil fuels remain leaders for the next few decades, but
expect new extraction technologies. Exploitation of oil sands and improved
deep sea extraction will continue to make oil the cheapest, if dirtiest
source of energy for automotive drivetrains. But water recycling
technologies like desalination and hydrocarbon recovery could reduce the
water- and carbon-intensity of oil extraction from new sources like the tar
sands.
* Alternative energy sources will grow rapidly, but remain limited overall.
The slow roll-out of transcontinental high-voltage DC transmission lines
will hinder low-carbon, low-water energy sources like solar and wind.
Biofuels use far too much water and are capable of providing too little
energy to make up more than a few percent of global needs.
* The future may belong to advanced nuclear electricity. Nuclear is the only
low-carbon, low-cost energy source that can reliably meet future electricity
needs – but water is its Achilles’ heel. However, advanced designs promise
to increase efficiency and reduce water intensity, while placing plants on
the coasts decouples them from increasingly scarce fresh water sources.
“Without a clear perspective on the trade-offs between carbon, water and
other factors that this report covers, executives risk making short-sighted
business decisions,” said LoCascio. “Particularly if they are expanding into
global economies like India or China where water is a comparatively rare
resource.”
“Global Energy: Unshackling Carbon from Water” is part of the Lux Water
Intelligence service. Clients subscribing to this service receive ongoing
research on water industry market trends and forecasts, continuous
technology scouting reports and proprietary data points in the weekly Lux
Research Water Journal, and on-demand inquiry with Lux Research analysts.
About Lux Research
Lux Research provides strategic advice and on-going intelligence for
emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on
us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique
research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global
network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our
clients. Visit
www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.
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