Technological Advance in Cooling Systems at U.S. Power Plants

Citation

Bellas AS, Finney D & Lange I (2011) Technological Advance in Cooling Systems at U.S. Power Plants. Stirling Economics Discussion Paper, 2011-05.

Abstract
Prior to adoption of the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) most U.S. power plants used once-through cooling water systems that discharged large quantities of warm water and resulted in significant amounts of thermal pollution in neighboring bodies of water. The CWA essentially mandated recirculating systems for most new facilities. This paper investigates whether there was either cost-saving or performance enhancing technological advance in cooling systems and how these advances are related to imposition of the CWA.

Keywords
Electricity Generation; Water Cooling: Innovation; Environmental Policy; Environmental permits; Electric power Cooling

JEL codes

• Q52: Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
• Q40: Energy: General
• L51: Economics of Regulation