Water: A critical resource
Water is a critical resource for Duke Energy. In addition to providing hydropower and cooling water for our nuclear and fossil plants, water resources support public water systems, industries, wildlife and recreation.
Increasing water demands and periodic drought conditions remain challenges for our company, particularly in the Carolinas. Duke Energy is working to protect our water supply by investing in more efficient technologies, and by continuing to work with public- and private-sector partners to improve water management.
Technology solutions
As part of the modernization of our generation fleet, we’re putting technologies in place to make sure we’re using water resources efficiently.
Hydropower
The new powerhouse at our relocated Bridgewater Hydro Station improves aquatic habitat by increasing dissolved oxygen and allowing continuous flow releases downstream. In addition, the new generating units are larger and more efficient than those they replaced, and can therefore produce more electricity using less water.
Recent turbine replacements at our Jocassee Pumped-Storage Hydro Station also improve water efficiency. This South Carolina facility is designed so the turbines can reverse and pump back previously used water from Lake Keowee into Lake Jocassee, allowing Duke Energy to reuse the same water multiple times to generate electricity for customers during periods of highest demand.
Wind and solar
We have added more than 1,000 MW of wind and solar generation capacity over the past four years and will complete five additional wind farms in 2012. Except for a limited amount of water used for washing photovoltaic panels, wind and solar farms do not require water for power production.
Proposed nuclear
For the proposed Lee Nuclear Station in South Carolina, Duke Energy analyzed the plant’s potential water needs. We looked at available water sources, needs of upstream and downstream water users, and station and regulatory requirements. Based on this detailed analysis, we determined that additional water storage — a drought contingency storage pond — would be needed. The proposed pond would provide cooling water during a prolonged drought, while minimizing the impact on other regional water users.
Partnerships
We continue to collaborate with government agencies, community groups and the private sector to improve the management of our shared water resources.
- To properly respond to periodic drought conditions in the Keowee-Toxaway River Basin in South Carolina, Duke Energy joined forces with Seneca Light & Water and Greenville Water to implement the Keowee-Toxaway Interim Low Inflow Protocol. This interim drought procedure establishes a shared responsibility among the main water users to protect the limited water storage available in lakes Jocassee and Keowee.
- The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group consists of large water users/withdrawers in the Carolinas, including Duke Energy and resource agencies, which implement the drought management procedures set forth in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin Low Inflow Protocol, when needed.
- The Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group (CWWMG) is exploring ways to improve water consumption trends through a survey of demand-management best practices across the U.S. The CWWMG is using the survey results to identify measures that member utilities can implement to manage water demand in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.
