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~ CJl U) CD Testing of ion exchange treatment and other equipment to determine the cost effectiveness of using saline water for cooling has been co~pleted at the Etiwanda Power Plant near Ontario, California. The selected hardware was suocessfully evaluated under actual field conditions to verify technical performance and operation. A parallel study of the economic impacts of the test loop and selected hardware has been completed and a report is available. The economic study is tailored after previous studies completed at Hunter and Jim Bridger powerplants. The inplant use of brackish water from the Lower Virgin River at the proposed 1000 MW Harry Allen Power Plant near Las Vegas, Nevada, was evaluated by a consultant for Reclamation. The study established that the associated cost compared favorably to the cost of using alternative supplies. The current studies will determine the teas i bi Ii tJ' of a water supph' system from the Lower Vi rgin River for th~ proposed power plant. ' Solar Ppnds. A solar salt gradient pond power system, the first of its kind in the United States, is now ol'erflting: at a test site near EI Paso, Texas. The system will ultimately produce from saline water both fresh water, b^' distillation, and eleotricit^. fron, heat captured by the solar ponds, Initial feasibility studies had indicated such ponds might be cost-effeotive flnd a small-scale verification test is underway to evaluate the technology. The first phase 6f the system has been completed and power generation began in September 1986. The second phase, the water desalting system, will be operational in late ]987, The system employs an .8-acre lined pond to generate up to ]00 kilowatts of electrical energy (enough 1. 0 S\lppJ ^" ten homes). The project is a cooperative effort among the l'niversity of Texas - EI Paso, EI Paso Electric Company, Bruce Foods Corporation, and Reclamation. The test farility is located at Bruce Foods' plant northeast of El Paso. Aquaculture - International Bio Resources, Inc., and Denver Engineering Corporation completed a contract study based on the concept of the use of a Salt Tolerant Emergent Plant (STEP) process to beneficially use, concentrate, and dispose of saline water. Economics of the STEP process were applied to the Glenwood-Dotsero Springs Unit. Although unit costs under $100 per ton were claimed in the stud^', technical issues related to production rate, evaporation rate, forage value, etc., could not be confirmed due to lack of field data. In addition, the lack of government funding for continued research, has halted the study. -41-