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In the second article of the Future Trends Forum, Yael Glazer from the University of Texas at Austin explores the critical interdependence between water and energy, known as the “water-energy nexus.” She highlights how energy is essential for processing and distributing water, while water is crucial for energy production. Glazer illustrates this relationship with examples such as Texas’s water-intensive fracking process and the use of vast water quantities in thermoelectric power plants. Climate change exacerbates these challenges by affecting water availability and energy generation, as seen with the drying of Lake Mead impacting hydroelectric power and heatwaves reducing nuclear plant output in Europe. Extreme weather events like Texas’s 2021 winter storm further demonstrate the vulnerability of these interconnected systems.
To address these issues, Glazer proposes a range of technical solutions such as energy-efficient water treatment technologies, optimizing water pumping systems, and transitioning to less water-dependent energy sources like solar and wind power. She also underscores the importance of economic and social approaches, advocating for pricing water to reflect its true cost to discourage overuse, while ensuring equitable access. Glazer concludes that recognizing the true value of water and energy, combined with innovative technologies and proactive policies, is essential for sustainable management of these vital resources in the face of growing demand and climate pressures.
Yael Glazer discusses the interdependence between water and energy, revealing key technical and policy solutions to mitigate the challenges of climate change and ensure the sustainability of these vital resources.
In this second article of the Future Trends Forum The quest for clean waters, Yael Glazer , a researcher at the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas at Austin, addressed the interrelationship between water and energy, what she calls the “water-energy nexus“. According to Glazer, water and energy are inextricably linked: we use energy to manage water and water to generate energy. His intervention highlights the global challenges around these two fundamental resources, and offers both technical and political solutions to optimize their use, while minimizing their impacts on the environment and guaranteeing them for future generations.
If you want to see Yael Glazer’s presentation, you can do so in this video:
“Energy and water connection” #WaterForum
The water-energy nexus: an interdependent relationship
In her speech, Yael Glazer emphasises that, although we have water, “it is not always where we need it, neither in the right quality, nor at the right time”. In a global context where access to water and energy largely defines the quality of life, the water-energy nexus is particularly relevant. Glazer argues that energy is crucial for processing and distributing water, while water is essential at all stages of energy production.
Globally, an example of this relationship is the use of large amounts of water for fossil fuel extraction. In Texas, where Glazer focuses some of his research, fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, requires significant amounts of water for oil and gas extraction. This process not only consumes water, but also generates wastewater that must be managed properly.
On the other hand, in the United States, 40% of water withdrawals are used to generate electricity, particularly in thermoelectric plants where water is used to cool and generate steam to drive turbines. Glazer stressed that, in this context, approximately 60 liters of water are used to generate one kilowatt hour of electricity.
Climate challenges and their impact on water and energy systems
Climate change adds a new layer of complexity to this relationship. Extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts or floods, alter both water availability and energy production. In his paper, Glazer presents several examples that illustrate this point. One of the most shocking was the case of the Lake Mead reservoir in the southwestern United States, which is drying up due to low rainfall and rising temperatures. This reservoir feeds the Hoover Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric power generators in the country. With reduced water levels, energy production has been severely affected.
Source: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148758/lake-mead-drops-to-a-record-low
Another notable example was the 2003 heatwave in Europe. France, which relies heavily on nuclear power, had to reduce its energy output because the rivers used to cool the reactors did not contain enough water or the water was too hot.
Extreme cold climates also have a devastating impact. In 2021, Winter Storm Uri wreaked havoc in Texas, where power systems were unprepared for freezing temperatures. This event led to widespread failures in power plants, which in turn affected the water supply, as pumping and water treatment stations also relied on that electricity.
Technical and non-technical solutions for a more sustainable future
Despite the challenges, Yael Glazer presents in his presentation a series of solutions to improve efficiency in both water and energy use. Among the technical solutions, he proposed implementing
Another key solution is improving efficiency in water pumping systems. Glazer explained that many pumps are oversized, meaning they consume more energy than necessary. By implementing variable speed drives, energy consumption in these pumps could be reduced by 30% to 50%.
In terms of energy production, Glazer suggests a transition to less water-intensive technologies, such as solar and wind power, which require fewer water resources to generate electricity. In addition, it mentions the possibility of using seawater to cool power plants located near the coast.
The value of water: an economic and social approach
One of the most interesting insights from Glazer’s presentation is the notion that we are not paying the true cost of water. Globally, the price of water is extremely low, incentivizing overuse. In this regard, he presents the case of Israel, where, during a drought in 2008, conservation projects were implemented and citizens were educated on the importance of reducing water consumption. Although this initiative managed to reduce consumption by 8%, it was not enough to counteract the effects of the drought. As an additional solution, the Israeli government decided that all sectors (citizens, agriculture, and industry) would pay the true cost of water. This change resulted in a doubling of water savings, demonstrating that the price of water is a key factor in incentivizing its rational use.
However, Glazer stresses that any change in the price of water must be balanced with social equity. Water is an essential resource for life and no one should be left without access to it for economic reasons. However, charging a fairer price for water could be an effective tool to reduce its excessive consumption and encourage its sustainable use.
An intertwined future for water and energy
Yael Glazer’s presentation highlights the deep interconnectedness between water and energy, and how challenges in one of these systems inevitably impact the other. As the world’s population grows and climate change exacerbates climate extremes, innovative technical and policy solutions will need to be implemented to ensure that future generations can continue to access these vital resources.
Glazer concludes that while the challenges are enormous, there are also significant opportunities to improve efficiency and sustainability in water and energy use. The key will be to recognize the true value of these resources and to adopt comprehensive approaches that mitigate the effects of scarcity and improve the resilience of infrastructure.
Like David Sedlak in the previous article, Glazer stresses the importance of technological innovation and proactive policies to meet these challenges. Ultimately, both experts agree that the future of our water and energy systems will depend on the decisions we make today.
If you want to delve deeper into the water-energy nexus, and its repercussions throughout history, we recommend you watch this video by the Director of the Webber Energy Group, Michael Webber: Thirst for Power: Energy, Water and Human Survival.
