![]() ![]() The second most promising application pinpointed by the study is building heating and cooling. ![]() In particular, the potential for pond electrical generation in the Red River, Great Salt Lake, southwest, and Gulf of Mexico coast regions was rated very high. ![]() energy consumption is about 80 Quads.) This figure is based upon a number of relatively optimistic assumptions, but the underlying conclusion is that ponds have significant potential for supplying both thermal and electrical energy. energy economy (a Quad is a quadrillion, or 10 15, Btu, or about 10 18 J the current annual U.S. This detailed study examined the most promising geographical areas and applications for salt gradient ponds, and concluded that ponds could supply up to about nine Quads per year to the U.S. The JPL pond group recently completed a DOE-sponsored study on “Regional Applicability and Potential of Salt-Gradient Solar Ponds in the United States” ( 23). JPL is currently researching methods to treat the brine to upgrade the optical clarity, and methods of decreasing the permeability of the Salton Sea bottom. ![]() This points up the need for careful analysis and pretreatment of naturally occurring brine before using it for ponds. Preliminary results show that the turbidity of this brine, due to organic matter, suspended solids, and other materials, can significantly reduce the continuous power output per unit area of pond from about 5.5 W/m 2 to 1.0 W/m 2, compared to distilled water. JPL is performing experiments on the suitability of Salton Sea brine for ponds. JPL is involved in a joint effort with DOE, the California Energy Commission, and Southern California Edison to examine the feasibility of constructing ponds for power generation in and adjacent to the Salton Sea in southeast California. Stephen Sargent, in Energy, Resources and Environment, 1982 Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) ![]()
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