The water-energy nexus calls for the urgent adoption of integrated and proactive approaches to address the mounting complexities of climate change, population growth and technological development, according to a report released by the US Department of Energy (US DOE).
The report presents an array of technical and operational challenges at regional, national and local scales, as well as a strategy for addressing them.
18 June 2014: The water-energy nexus calls for the urgent adoption of integrated and proactive approaches to address the mounting complexities of climate change, population growth and technological development, according to a report released by the US Department of Energy (US DOE). The report presents an array of technical and operational challenges at regional, national and local scales, as well as a strategy for addressing them.
The report, titled ‘The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenge and Opportunities,’ focuses on the US. However, it offers findings applicable to water and energy systems more generally, including in relation to the growing relevance of water scarcity, variability and uncertainty to energy vulnerabilities, and the need for policies that recognize the interdependence of water and energy systems.
US Secretary of Energy, Ernest Moniz, said the report “provides a strong foundation for future DOE action” to leverage its expertise in technology, modeling, analysis and data for the research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) of resilient water-energy systems.
The report outlines six strategic pillars for coordinating RDD&D: optimizing the freshwater efficiency for energy production, generation and use; optimizing energy efficiency of water management, treatment, distribution and use; enhancing the reliability and resilience of energy and water technologies; increasing safe and productive use of non-traditional water sources; promoting responsible energy operations with respect to water quality, ecosystem and seismic impacts; and exploiting productive synergies among water and energy system technologies.
The report is also an invitation for further collaboration between the US DOE and diverse local, municipal, federal and international stakeholders towards more effective RDD&D, policy harmonization, data-sharing, decision making and public dialogue. [US DOE Press Release] [Publication: The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenge and Opportunities] [US DOE Infographic on the Water-Energy Nexus] [US DOE Water-Energy Tech Team Website]