Energetics conducted an extensive study of U.S. water resources (aquifers, rainfall, waterways), current water uses, and water permitting and rights issues to evaluate the potential impacts of dramatic increases in biofuels production across the nation.
Client Need
Increasing production of biofuels to nearly 10 times today’s levels will have impacts on rural economies, natural resources, the environment, and farming and fuel distribution infrastructures. One concern from such a production increase is the potential impact it may have on our water resources, which are important to agriculture as well as human health, the environment, ecosystems, and the economy.
Solution
This study created a baseline for water use relevant to biomass feedstock production, estimated water demand requirements to meet larger biofuels volumes, identified potential shortfalls, and examined ancillary issues such as water regulations/policies. Regional and state data was collected on water supply, water shortage areas, tillage practices and soil moisture, water demand, aquifer withdrawals and recharging, consumptive versus renewable water use, and water use efficiency. Water costs and water rights and policies were examined at the state level for irrigated states.
Results
Preliminary data from a model used to estimate potential shortfalls indicated that there would be sufficient water to support biofuels production – with much larger use of non-irrigated crops. At current predicted ceilings for corn ethanol, irrigation levels would not deplete existing water supplies. The results of the study have been incorporated into the Argonne National Laboratory GREET model and are now being used for life-cycle analysis of advanced biofuels. Increasing competition for water was found to be a significant factor for future consideration.