The Use of Potential Renewable Energy Resources for Developing Sustainable Water Supplies Tamim Younos

1. The Use of Potential Renewable Energy Resources for Developing Sustainable Water Supplies Tamim Younos Virginia Water Resources Research Center and Department of Geography, Virginia Tech ABSTRACT STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM APPLICATION POTENTIAL IN VIRGINIA There is a significant need to integrate renewable energy resources into water production systems. Potential renewable energy resources include solar energy (e.g. photovoltaic and solar energy concentrators/collectors), wind energy, geothermal energy, and ocean energy (tidal power, wave energy, and thermal energy). This poster presentation provides an overview of the potential use of renewable energy resources for developing sustainable water supplies that implement advanced water purification technologies. The presentation addresses the potential and limitations of these alternative energy resources for production of sustainable water supplies in Virginia and the need for developing interdisciplinary research, institutional framework, and policy making to meet future global water demand. Acknowledgments: Kimberly Tulou assisted with research, Jane Walker with editing, and Kelly Davis with developing the poster. Safe and adequate water supplies are needed to protect public health and to sustain economic productivity. The Engineer of 2020, a National Academy of Engineering publication quotes: “The question of water is at the heart of a 600-page world water development report issued by the United Nations in 2003. It’s projected that within the next 20 years virtually every nation in the world will face some type of water supply problem.” In coming decades, significant increased water demand is expected in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and population and industrial centers in Virginia. To meet future global water demand, in addition to developing conventional surface and groundwater sources that are quickly diminishing, it will become necessary to develop alternative water sources. Potential alternative water sources include urban storm water runoff, municipal wastewater treatment plant discharges, saline and other waters that are impure for human consumption and economic uses. Currently, advanced and highly effective water purification systems using technologies such as membranes and thermal (distillation) processes are being developed for this purpose. However, these advanced water purification technologies are energy intensive and feasibility of implementing these technologies are directly affected by energy consumption. INTEGRATING RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES TO PRODUCE SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLIES Potential Renewable Energy Resources Alternative Water Sources WATER PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION Solar Wastewater Advanced Water Purification Technologies Membrane Technologies Membrane water purification processed use either pressure-driven or electrical-driven technologies or a combination of these technologies. Reverse Osmosis (RO), a pressure-driven process, is the most common technology in the United States. Energy is needed to operate the process. Thermal Technologies Thermal technologies use evaporation and distillation processes to purify water. The process is highly energy intensive and uncommon in the United States. Advanced technologies such as Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC) integrate thermal and mechanical energy. Wind Runoff Geothermal Saline Water Ocean Other Sustainable Water Supplies GLOBAL EXAMPLES USING RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING WATER SUPPLIES RECOMMENDATIONS Photovoltaic arrays convert solar energy into electricity through the transfer of electrons. The arrays are made of silicon chips because silicon effectively and efficiently transfers electrons. When sun rays shine on the silicon chips, the electrons jump to another orbit. This movement creates a voltage that can be used to power pumps for water purification. Wind energy rotates windmills creating mechanical energy that can be converted to electrical energy. Turbines utilizing wind energy for low power (10 kW-100 kW), medium power (100 kW-0.5 MW), and high power (> 0.5 MW) are mature technologies. • Develop an atlas of potential renewable natural resources in Virginia with regard to their availability and potential in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment • Form an interdisciplinary research team of experts in energy, water purification technologies, water resource economics, and geospatial analysis to develop a template for overall research needs and costs • Create a statewide task force that includes representatives from regulatory agencies, utilities (water and power), academia, and citizens that will develop the framework for institutional infrastructure and implantation strategies for using renewable energy for water production. APPROACHES TO MEET ENERGY DEMAND REFERENCES • Energy Conservation • Increase Output of Traditional Sources (coal, oil, nuclear) • Using Renewable Energy Sources (solar, wind, geothermal, ocean) Younos, T (Ed.). 2005. Desalination – A Primer. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education. Universities Council on Water Resources, Carbondale, Ill. 52 pp. To order e-mail: ucowr@siu.edu. Younos, T. 2004. The feasibility of using desalination to supplement drinking water supplies in Eastern Virginia. VWRRC Special Report SR25-2004. Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. 114 pp. Available Online: www.vwrrc.vt.edu/publications/recent.htm