Cooling ponds work by allowing hot water from a power plant to release heat naturally into the environment. When the plant generates electricity, it uses water to absorb excess heat from its equipment, especially from the steam used to turn turbines. This heated water is then sent to the cooling pond, where it spreads out over a wide area.
As the water sits in the pond, it loses heat through evaporation, where water turns into vapor and carries heat away, and through contact with the cooler air above the surface. The larger the surface area, the more effectively the heat can be released. Over time, the water temperature drops enough that the cooler water can be reused in the plant’s systems or discharged without causing environmental harm. This process is passive and relies on natural forces like wind, air temperature, and sunlight to regulate the water’s cooling.
