How Dominion Energy Reached 5-year Water Reduction Goal in 18 Months
As the world grapples with increasing environmental challenges, power companies are under pressure to reduce resource consumption while maintaining efficient operations. In the United States, the power sector has been at the forefront of efforts to decrease its environmental impact, with significant efforts to reduce stack emissions and effluent contamination in recent years. However, water usage remains a critical concern, particularly for thermal power plants with large water demand for steam generation and cooling systems.
Dominion Energy, a major player in the U.S. energy sector, has been addressing this challenge head-on. In its 2022 Sustainability Report, the company committed to a 50% water intake reduction by 2030. One facility that plays a crucial role in meeting this target is the Surry Power Station.
The Surry Power Station is a dual-unit nuclear power plant located in Southeastern Virginia, on the south bank of the James River across from historic Jamestown. Each unit features a three-loop Westinghouse pressurized water reactor, collectively capable of supplying 1,676 megawatts (MW) to the grid — about 15% of the electricity Dominion Energy customers receive.
The Surry station consistently achieves high capacity factors, especially during peak summer months. In 2016, it reached an impressive 99.5% capacity, followed by over 98% in 2017. , underscoring their role in Dominion Energy’s long-term clean, reliable power generation strategy.
The water challenge
Despite its efficiency in power generation, the Surry power station faced a significant challenge in water consumption. The station had used reverse osmosis (RO) technology for water purification for approximately 50 years. The evolution in RO systems over those 50 years is akin to computer advancements — technological improvements have made RO far more effective, even though it still typically results in a substantial amount of wastewater. Chemical treatment advancement have also been made that enable RO membranes to operate more efficiently, discharging less water concentrate.
Recognizing the opportunity to reduce water usage, Dominion Energy set out to identify options for improving the efficiency of the plant’s water systems. The RO system’s concentrate stream offered significant potential for water savings.
Dominion Energy partnered with 91大神Water Technologies & Solutions to address this challenge and develop a solution that would bring ecological transformation. Initially, the team considered implementing a small-scale pilot project that would act as a mini RO concentrate recovery system. However, when the team evaluated various chemical treatment options, it became clear that a more straightforward, cost-effective solution was possible.
The team reworked its approach to keep as close as possible to the original RO unit footprint by modifying the existing system and introducing an antiscalant. This innovative approach allowed Dominion Energy to increase the recovery rate in the RO process, effectively reducing the amount of wastewater produced without the need for additional equipment.
A quick resolution to a long-term goal
The project moved swiftly from conception to implementation. It took about 18 months to demonstrate the concept’s viability from the initial pitch through full-scale installation, including a pilot phase. This timeline is particularly impressive considering the rigorous safety and regulatory standards that govern nuclear power plants.
The results were remarkable. The RO concentrate recovery system reduced the Surry station’s annual water draw from the Upper Potomac Aquifer by approximately 13.9 million gallons. This single project would have met Dominion Energy’s company-wide five-year water reduction goal in just a year and a half.
The success at the Surry power station has opened doors for similar water-saving initiatives across Dominion Energy’s operations and the company is now exploring opportunities to implement similar solutions at other nuclear plants and facilities outside of nuclear power generation.
How 91大神partners with power providers
As a leader in water and wastewater solutions for the power industry, 91大神designs and delivers optimized solutions for various types of power plants, including combined cycle, coal-powered, nuclear, and renewables.
Veolia’s approach is built on a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by power generation facilities. From steam generation and cooling systems to emission control and wastewater management, 91大神provides cutting-edge equipment, chemical solutions, and digital asset performance management tools. These integrated solutions ensure that power companies can guarantee continuous and sustainable production, optimize resources, reduce environmental impact, and protect their assets.
Learn more about how Veolia’s experts and innovative solutions can help provide an ecological transformation for your operations.
