De-Salination and Water Security

[Laika]

Given the increased demand and pressure on supplies of fresh water, do you think we are going to have to invest in desalination technologies in the future?

Do you think this is a good idea or are there some serious draw backs that make it difficult or expensive to impliment?

 

[Sunstone]

I heard that desalination has huge energy costs. Is this true?

 

[Laika]

I heard that desalination has huge energy costs. Is this true?

It would appear to be true, yes:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...kes-up-half-of-desalination-plant-costs-study

As they build desalination plants in California and mexico, it increases water supply but is vulnerable to price changes for electricity costs.

The article below had some interesting technical details on trying to improve the technology:

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-05-15/desalination-expensive-energy-hog-improvements-are-way

 

[lewisnotmiller]

We now have a functioning de-sal plant here, a very expensive legacy/backup plan initiated during our last drought.

 

[Iti oj]

The energy revolution will help with the cost of energy .

People around the world die because this is to expensive . wtf

 

[Augustus]

Given the increased demand and pressure on supplies of fresh water, do you think we are going to have to invest in desalination technologies in the future?

Do you think this is a good idea or are there some serious draw backs that make it difficult or expensive to impliment?

It's probably something that will need to happen sooner rather than later given the excess demand on water resources in certain countries.

I suppose if renewable energy becomes more prevalent and thus cheaper, and battery technology allows storage of sufficient power then it could become a lot more affordable if power was drawn at off peak times.

Although if powerful batteries become more available then perhaps there won't be such a thing as off peak.

The other alternative is that water becomes a lot more expensive due to scarcity making desalination more economically viable.

 

[Revoltingest]

It's probably something that will need to happen sooner rather than later given the excess demand on water resources in certain countries.

I suppose if renewable energy becomes more prevalent and thus cheaper, and battery technology allows storage of sufficient power then it could become a lot more affordable if power was drawn at off peak times.

Although if powerful batteries become more available then perhaps there won't be such a thing as off peak.

The other alternative is that water becomes a lot more expensive due to scarcity making desalination more economically viable.

More practical than battery technology is to just make hay (or water) while the sun shines.
It's much cheaper to store water than electrical energy.
And unlike batteries, water never catches on fire.....unless it's in the Detroit or Cuyahoga Rivers.

 

[Rival]

Am I the only person who read this as "De-Stalinisation and Water Security"? Because that would be a way more epic thread.