Key Issues in Seawater Desalination in California: Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Key Issues in Seawater Desalination in California: Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Published: May 2013

Authors: Heather Cooley and Matthew Heberger

Pages: 37


Key Issues in Seawater Desalination in California: Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Overview

California’s water supply is vulnerable to seasonal extremes that are exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Seawater desalination is a reliable source of water, which can be especially valuable during a drought. Yet in California, and in other regions dependent on hydropower, electricity prices tend to rise during droughts, when runoff, and thus power production, is constrained and electricity demands are high. This report describes the energy requirements and associated greenhouse gas emissions for desalinated water and evaluates the impact of short- and long-term energy price variability on the cost of desalinated water.

This report is part of a series launched in 2012 identifying the key outstanding issues for desalination in the state: cost and financing; energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions; and marine impacts.

Resources

In this Series

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