The Role Of The Electric Utilities Industry In Developing The Use Of Thermal Effluent In Aquaculture

Economic and operating returns from utilization of waste heat in thermal effluent would be important benefits to the electric utilities industry and could contribute toward easing the burden on our energy resources. Aquaculture at power plant sites is one means of achieving these benefits. Waste heat can be used to accelerate the growth rates of marketable marine animals, and thereby reduce production time and costs. Several large public utilities have recognized the potential benefits of thermal effluent for aquaculture to such an extent that they are supporting laboratory, pilot, and commercial‐scale operations. One such project, sponsored by the Southern California Edison Company, is described. Criteria for selection of pilot and commercial‐scale aquaculture sites at generating stations, such as high temperature changes and stable effluent temperatures, water quality, and adequate space, are considered. Research is underway on the biology and culturing requirements of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) with thermal effluent as a culturing medium. Several problems remain to be solved and are under investigation. These include brood stock management, nutrition, and the development and evaluation of culture systems suitable for commercial production. Pilot‐scale lobster aquaculture will depend on the results of this work. The pilot plant itself will be employed as a research tool, the last phase of a program to demonstrate a successful aquaculture technology involving use of thermal effluent.