CleanTechnica•6 days ago
Battle Over Colorado River Water Ends In A Draw
Key Takeaway
Water scarcity in the Colorado River basin creates significant long-term risk and uncertainty for water-intensive power generation and large industrial loads, particularly in the Southwest.
AI Summary
- •The Colorado River basin faces increasing water scarcity due to growing demand from expanding populations and agriculture in the Southwest.
- •The 'draw' signifies ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding water allocation, meaning no definitive long-term solution has been reached, posing risks for water-intensive operations.
- •This persistent water stress could constrain hydro generation and cooling for thermal power plants, potentially impacting grid reliability and power costs in the Southwest (e.g., CAISO region).
- •Developers and large power consumers (like datacenters) planning projects in the Southwest must prioritize water-efficient technologies and factor in water availability and regulatory risks into site selection and project design.
Topics
caisoccgtdatacenterpolicysimple-cyclesolarstoragewind
Article Content
There is less water in the Colorado River today and more demand for it as cities and farms in the southwest continue to expand. The post Battle Over Colorado River Water Ends In A Draw appeared first on CleanTechnica .