The switch from coal to clean power in America’s electricity sector can deliver billions of gallons of water savings, a Duke University study reveals.
Using solar or wind energy requires just 1% to 2% ‘of coal or natural gas’s water intensity’ as ‘measured by water use per kilowatt of electricity’ the report shows. Annual savings by 2030 could exceed 12,250 billion gallons, if the transition concentrates on these renewable energy sources.
“Switching to solar or wind energy would eliminate much of the water withdrawals and water consumption for electricity generation in the U.S.,” said Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment.
