Water use in renewable and conventional electricity production

Water withdrawal and consumption from rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States is greatest in the electricity sector. Until recently, most analysis in this area has focused on thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants. However, proposals to increase renewable electricity sources have generated interest in the water impacts of solar, wind, geothermal and other renewables. The data are put on a per unit energy output basis for comparability. Renewables can have water use, per unit energy, comparable to conventional systems like coal and nuclear, when the entire cycle, including possible backup, is considered. Of those systems using freshwater, hydro has the highest water withdrawal and consumption.