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Mapping water consumption for energy production around the Pacific Rim

Journal Article · · Environmental Research Letters
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. AIS (Akima Infrastructure Services), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
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World energy demand is projected to increase by more than a third by 2035 and with it the use of water to extract and process fuels and generate electricity. Management of this energy-water nexus requires a clear understanding of the inter-related demands of these resources as well as their regional distribution. Toward this need the fresh water consumed for energy production was mapped for almost 12 000 watersheds distributed across the 21-economies comprising the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Fresh water consumption was estimated for ten different sectors including thermoelectric and hydroelectric power; energy extraction including coal, oil, natural gas, uranium and unconventional oil/gas; energy processing including oil and biofuels; and biofuel feedstock irrigation. These measures of water consumption were put in context by drawing comparison with published measures of water risk. In total 791 watersheds (32%) of the 2511 watersheds where energy related water consumption occurred were also characterized by high to extreme water risk, these watersheds were designated as being at energy-water risk. Furthermore, for six economies watersheds at energy-water risk represented half or more of all basins where energy related water consumption occurred, while four additional economies exceeded 30%.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1333540
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 22724196
Report Number(s):
SAND2016-9169J; 647457
Journal Information:
Environmental Research Letters, Journal Name: Environmental Research Letters Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 11; ISSN 1748-9326
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Potential Impacts of Electric Power Production Utilizing Natural Gas, Renewables and Carbon Capture and Sequestration on U.S. Freshwater Resources journal July 2013
Geographic Footprint of Electricity Use for Water Services in the Western U.S. journal July 2014
Energy’s Thirst for Water in China journal October 2014
Water consumption from hydropower plants – review of published estimates and an assessment of the concept journal January 2013
The Energy–Water Nexus: Managing the Links between Energy and Water for a Sustainable Future journal January 2012
The Energy–Water Nexus: Managing the Links between Energy and Water for a Sustainable Future journal January 2012

Cited By (2)

Water Footprint Assessment for Coal-to-Gas in China journal January 2019
Evaluation of Future Water Use for Electricity Generation under Different Energy Development Scenarios in China journal December 2017

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Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY