Water Availability for Cooling Systems: Assessing Demands, Constraints, and Alternative Sources for Thermoelectric Plants and Data Centers

This white paper focuses on enhancing the intersection of energy and water resilience by advancing water reuse and reclamation technologies, particularly for thermoelectric power plants and data centers. The primary goal is to efficiently manage cooling water to meet growing demands while recovering valuable resources, such as minerals, from wastewater.

The increasing demand for electricity driven by industrial expansion, including AI-powered data centers, necessitates a significant increase in baseload generation. However, many regions face water shortages, and current practices often rely on energy-intensive methods like desalination and long-distance water transportation. These practices can strain resources and contribute to operational vulnerabilities. Additionally, existing reservoir management strategies are often static and may not adapt well to changing hydrologic conditions.

Proposed Solutions include: (1) cross-sector collaboration, (2) alternative water sources, (3) planning and siting tools, (4) updated water policies. Implementing these strategies will support the deployment of thermoelectric and nuclear generation while facilitating the expansion of water-cooled data centers. The coordinated approach aims to enhance grid reliability, support industrial electrification, and strengthen water resilience in resource-constrained areas.

Quantitative measures will include the adoption of alternative water sources, reductions in freshwater withdrawals, and the number of enacted policy reforms. Qualitative measures will focus on improved planning tools, alignment of goals across sectors, and enhanced access to water resources for underserved communities.