Turning our biggest polluters into our biggest renewers | Lacey Reddix | TEDxSaltLakeCity

Key Concepts

• Water scarcity
• Critical minerals (lithium, magnesium, rare earth elements)
• Renewable energy transition
• Industrial wastewater
• Mineral extraction technologies
• Water reclamation
• Economic development in rural communities
• Circular economy

Summary

The video addresses the critical paradox of water scarcity amidst abundance, citing Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." It highlights that by 2025, nearly two-thirds of the world's population will face water shortages due to poor management and climate change. While transitioning to 100% renewable energy is a key climate change solution, the current high cost, largely due to the significant demand for critical minerals like lithium, magnesium, and rare earth elements (e.g., neodymium, dysprosium, praseodymium), makes this transition economically challenging.

The Dilemma of Critical Mineral Sourcing

Currently, mining is the primary source of these critical materials. However, demand is outstripping supply, leading to increased prices. Ironically, these mining operations are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. The extraction process is energy-intensive, relying on fossil fuels that release methane, and requires substantial water for mineral processing, extraction, and dust control. This presents a dilemma: the very materials needed for renewable energy exacerbate environmental problems.

The Surprising Solution: Industrial Wastewater

The video proposes that the solution to securing affordable critical minerals and clean water lies in industrial wastewater. This includes briny, salty waste from oil and gas production, tailing ponds at mines, and discarded brine from desalination plants. These seemingly unappealing sources contain valuable elements essential for modern technologies and industries.

Specific Minerals Found in Wastewater:

• Lithium: For batteries.
• Magnesium: For aluminum and steel used in wind turbines.
• Rare Earth Elements: For solar panels.
• Calcium: For concrete aggregate.
• Potassium: For fertilizers.
• Sodium: For food and paper manufacturing.

The Process of Reclamation and Its Benefits

The proposed methodology involves extracting critical minerals and pollutants from industrial wastewater. Subsequently, the purified water can be reclaimed and recirculated back into industrial systems. This reclaimed water can support various modern industrial processes, including mass food production, fabric manufacturing, and construction with concrete.

Benefits of Water Reclamation:

• Sustains Industrial Processes: Provides a reliable water source for essential industries.
• Reduces Environmental Impact: Mitigates the need for fresh water extraction and reduces pollution.
• Economic Returns: Creates value from waste streams.

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

The speaker draws on personal experience working at these sites and uses two compelling examples:

1. Jackson, Mississippi: The speaker's hometown, which faced unreliable access to safe drinking water and a lack of water infrastructure. This directly impacted the quality of life, education, job opportunities, and economic investment, illustrating the link between water security and community well-being.
2. Utah: Despite not facing the same water scarcity as Jackson, Utah's industrial activities (data centers, mines, oil refineries, manufacturing) generate significant waste. Coal power plants produce enough coal ash to fill the University of Utah's football stadium, posing risks to groundwater. Drought and overuse of the Great Salt Lake have exposed arsenic, impacting air quality. The video suggests that Utah industry leaders could reclaim wastewater and feed clean water back into the Great Salt Lake, improving air quality and potentially recovering valuable minerals like lithium found in the lake.
3. Salton Sea, Southern California: A geothermal energy process at the Salton Sea produces wastewater containing an estimated 18 million metric tons of lithium, valued at half a trillion dollars. This is enough lithium to produce nearly 400 million electric vehicle batteries.

Economic Viability and Technological Advancements

The economic feasibility of recovering materials from waste was previously prohibitive. However, recent advancements in mineral extraction technologies have reduced labor time and costs by approximately one-third compared to a decade ago.

Financial Implications:

• The US energy sector produces billions of barrels of industrial wastewater annually, with companies paying millions for disposal.
• Financial models suggest that using new extraction technologies, some companies could earn back four times their current waste disposal costs by extracting and reselling critical minerals and recirculating clean water.
• This transforms waste streams into profit centers.

Empowering Rural Communities

Many wastewater sites are located in rural areas, which often rely on these industries for employment. Empowering these communities to utilize their existing skills for extracting renewable materials and reclaiming clean water locally offers a pathway to economic diversification and a sustainable future. This approach allows these communities to remain in their homes while contributing to a cleaner economy.

Conclusion: A Symbiotic Future

The video argues that industries historically associated with pollution can become drivers of renewable solutions. The transition to a sustainable future requires collaboration, where the oil, gas, and mining sectors can coexist and evolve with clean energy initiatives. The critical minerals and clean water needed for life are often found in unexpected places, like "murky water tanks," and reclaiming them is essential for securing our future. The core message is that by embracing innovative technologies and a circular economy approach, we can transform waste into valuable resources, address water scarcity, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.