Power plants extract and discharge more water than municipalities and industry combined. Water shortages and environmental regulations are opening a large market for many different technologies. The need to utilize alternative water sources presents a several billion dollar per year opportunity .
- Desalination: A number of Chinese and Indian power plants have already incorporated desalinated water for cooling and boiler feedwater. Combined power and desalination plants already provide both municipal drinking water and power for many areas in the Middle East.
- Use of treated municipal wastewater: Most power plants are within 100 miles of municipal wastewater plants. With additional treatment this source is ideal for power plant needs.
Water discharge: Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) is mandated for new power plants in China and is being evaluated for all new plants in water stressed regions. In some areas, with plentiful water supply, ZLD has been chosen as a way to avoid delays in obtaining water discharge permits.
These opportunities need to be addressed on a plant by plant basis. A number of Indian power plants have immediate needs. Adani Power has shut down five units of 660 MW capacity at the Tiroda plant in Maharashtra due to an acute water shortage. The 2100 MW coal-fired Farakka power station in West Bengal shut down its six turbines due to lack of water. The 1720 MW Raichur Thermal Power Station in Karnataka state has been hit by lack of water also. There are several other such examples.