Electricity generation generally consumes water, meaning energy efficiency reduces water consumption. Evaporative cooling offers substantial energy efficiency gains but consumes water on site, and the impact of evaporative cooling is largest in arid regions which are susceptible to droughts. Net water consumption for evaporative cooling depends on the regional generation mix, water quality, weather conditions, and the water-use efficiency for particular evaporative equipment. This presentation explores total water-use scenarios including a detailed analysis of a theoretical worst-case scenario where all water for evaporative cooling uses energy-intensive desalination, the results of which suggest that evaporative cooling is energy and cost effective.
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