Background

Climate change graphic

Challenges in the Energy-Water System

Energy and water are interdependent - water is used in all phases of energy production, and energy is required throughout the cycle of water management

Water scarcity, variability, and uncertainty are becoming more prominent, which leads to vulnerabilities of the energy system

The increased portfolio of renewable energy brings new opportunities for aging water infrastructure transformation. 

Graphic of water-energy cycle.

Opportunities in the Water-Energy System

Optimize the energy efficiency of water management, treatment, distribution, and end use systems.

Optimize the freshwater efficiency of energy production, electricity generation, and end use systems

Enhance the reliability and resilience of energy and water systems.

Increase safe and productive use of nontraditional water sources and synergies among water and energy systems.

Energy and Resource Recovery from Waste Treatment Graphic

Energy and Resource Recovery from Waste Treatment

Current water industry consumes ~57 TWh/yr (~ 6% of U.S. electricity consumption)

US waste disposal emits 0.75 GT/yr of CO2eq (~ 260 million tonnes of coal burn)

The embedded energy (thermo & chemical) in wastewater is >10 times that needed for treatment

The industry holds a great potential to become energy-positive, carbon-negative, and revenue-positive.

It also solves fresh water shortage and excess renewable energy problems in western states

Systems engineering to optimize water-energy nexus graphic

Systems Analysis & Integration for Water Energy Nexus

System level analysis and optimization considering different stakeholders and sectors.