Georgia Power starts operations at new water research centre in US

Electricity producer Georgia Power has begun operations at its new water research centre (WRC) located at its Bowen Plant in Cartersville, Georgia, US.

The WRC has been developed by Georgia Power, its holding company Southern Company, the Southern Research Institute and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), bringing together research and development efforts of 13 other companies.

According to Georgia Power, the WRC is a first-of-its-kind research facility in the country, providing a platform to develop and test technologies that reduce power plant water withdrawals and consumption besides improving the quality of water related to power generation.

Commenting on the Water Research Institute, Georgia Power Environmental Affairs Vice President Ron Shipman sought to underscore the companies’ efforts and commitment to develop technologies that aide clean and affordable electricity.

"The WRC, a first-of-its-kind power generation water research hub at Plant Bowen, is technology leadership at its best," said Shipman.

EPRI vice president of generation Tom Alley added, "EPRI is pleased to be working with an industry collaborative that includes so many companies which recognise the importance of this issue of water consumption and the environmental impacts of its use."

The WRC is designed to accommodate development and evaluation of power plant water management technologies in seven areas that include cooling tower water chemistry and advanced cooling systems, process wastewater treatment, zero liquid discharge options, moisture recovery from power plant processes, solids landfill water management, carbon technology water issues and water use modeling and monitoring for best management practices.

The Southern Research Institute operated research center is currently testing a new technology developed by Johnson Controls that reduces water required for plant cooling.

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Image : Water Research Center at Georgia Power’s Bowen Plant is now operational. Photo: Georgia Power