Focusing on water and energy challenges

About 40 Clemson faculty members have a consortium to more closely examine how water and energy systems can be made more sustainable. They are banding together amid growing concerns about water scarcity and climate change. One project that has already started is generating a new form of renewable energy where rivers flow into the sea. When two streams of different salinity mix, it creates energy. Taking salt out of seawater requires enormous energy and has been cost-prohibitive for many communities. But if a new type of power generation takes hold, it could help generate the energy needed to pump saltwater through membranes to create drinking water.