Global scenarios for significant water use reduction in thermal power plants based on cooling water demand estimation using satellite imagery

Connecting research on the water demand of power plants with mitigation strategies for energy-based water use is an important step to ensure global water and energy security, and thus provide more sustainable use of both. Here, we assess the water footprint of 13,863 thermal power plants units with a total active capacity of 4,182 GW worldwide and give an estimate of the current water demand for power production at four different levels—global, regional, country and river. Furthermore, we provide a projection for the energy transition period towards a net zero greenhouse gas emissions economy by 2050. In particular, we show that by following a ‘Best Policies Scenario’ the water consumption of global power plants can be decreased by about 98%, and water withdrawal by 95% by 2050. Therefore, the suggested pathway provides one potential solution to the problem of water depletion that results from the water-energy nexus. Cooling in thermal power plants demands significant quantities of freshwater globally. Using a database of cooling technologies for 13,863 thermal power plants worldwide identified from satellite imagery, Lohrmann et al. show significant potential for reducing water use in power production as a consequence of transition towards renewables.