What is the Water-Energy Nexus?
When we fill a glass of water or turn on the lights we often consider these as separate resources; however, water and energy are interrelated and very much dependent upon one another. We need tremendous amounts of water to generate all forms of energy. We also need considerable amounts of energy to extract, move and treat water. This co-dependency is called the Water-Energy Nexus.
Why is the Water-Energy Nexus So Important?
The world’s current population is 7.6 billion. The United Nations estimates we will reach 9.8 billion by 2050. As our population continues to grow, our demands for water and energy also continues to grow. To sustain this type of growth we need to make changes in how we manage these resources. Power plants account for almost 40% of all fresh water withdrawals. Water has tremendous ability to absorb heat and these plants rely on it as a cooling mechanism. In addition, water is also required for fossil fuels, bio fuels and all other forms of energy. Some have turned to wind and solar energy as alternatives because they rely less on water; however, these options are intermittent and storing energy can pose challenges.
Industry Relies on Water and Energy
The nexus intensity is higher for many manufacturing and industrial users because of their reliance on these resources for production. Finding ways to be more sustainable is not only important, but necessary as we move forward. Many firms are looking for ways to be responsible stewards of the environment and to cut costs as they use less resources. Watertech has helped many customers with their sustainability efforts. Below are two success stories:
2 Cases Where Industrial Facilities Made Changes to Save Water and Energy
These scenarios outline how two companies identified ways to save water, which resulted in considerable savings.