Cross-sectional Integration of the Water-energy Nexus in Brazil

Abstract

This paper analyses the cross-sectoral integration of the water-energy nexus in Brazil. Recent droughts resulted in unprecedented water scarcity. This caused water shortages for population and agriculture, as well as for electricity production (hydropower being the main source of electricity production). As a result, the system became more vulnerable to blackouts. To alleviate the problem, fossil fuels were used as a back up. Droughts, floods and other water-related problems will not dissipate as time goes by in Brazil. The dependency on one single predominant source (hydropower) makes Brazil's electricity supply vulnerable. This study shows through data analysis, flow diagrams and metrics the interrelation between water and energy. Based on historical data, the analysis shows the importance of the water demand for hydropower, cooling for thermal plants, and the extraction and production of biofuels, as well as of the energy demand of water services (water supply, wastewater treatment).

Implications of Future Natural Gas Demand on Sugarcane Production, Land Use Change and Related Emissions in Brazil

“…However, other sectors has experienced negative effects due to climate effects. For example, the power system, which mainly relies on hydroelectricity (> 60%), has become more vulnerable to blackouts due to water shortages [39,40]. To minimise the blackout risks, other power sources, such as wind, have been extensively installed.…”

Modelling cost-effective pathways for natural gas infrastructure: A southern Brazil case study

“…Variables 1 if there is an inflow of gas form into a storage facility in time period in zone , 0 if not 1 if there is an outflow of gas form into a storage facility in time period in zone , 0 if not 1 1 if zone is importing gas form in time period in, 0 if not 2 1 if zone is exporting gas form in time period in, 0 if not 1 1 if a pumping station is built for transporting gas in time period in zone , 0 if not 2 1 if a pumping station exists in time period in zone , 0 if not 3 1 if there is a flow of gas in time period from zone to zone , 0 if not 1 1 if production facility in zone is ready for production in time period , 0 if not 2 1 if production facility in zone is operating in time period , 0 if not 3 1 if production facility in zone changes from not operating in time period − 1 to operating in , 0 if not. 4 1 if production facility in zone changes from operating in time period − 1 to not operating in , 0 if not. 5 1 if production facility exists in zone in time period , 0 if not.…”

“…Although the extensive use of hydropower provides a low-carbon power sector, it is expected that the impacts of future climate change could stress the dynamics between the energy-water-food resources [1]. For instance, recent hydrological problems related to climate change such as droughts, floods and water scarcity generated by the natural dynamics of water and trade-offs between diverse water users (agriculture, industry, power) have affected the system reliability [4]. An important aspect to overcome water scarcity for future hydroelectricity planning is to appropriately understand the water-energy nexus of hydropower plants and its energy and water footprints; nevertheless, high uncertainties still exist regarding future water availability in the country [5].…”

A preface to the special issue of optimization and engineering dedicated to SDEWES 2020 conferences

“…Technology-oriented studies investigated, among others, the performance of a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system driven by salt-gradient solar ponds (Suárez and Urtubia 2016 ), and water-energy-GHG nexus of alternative heat recovery options in the industry (Chinese et al 2018 ). Large-scale thinking was represented by Sankey-diagram application in the studies on China's energy-water nexus performed by Hu et al ( 2013 ) and later also Ou et al ( 2014 ), analysis of the water and renewable energy nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa (Brandoni and Bošnjaković 2017 ), cross-sectoral integration of the water and energy issues in Brazil (Semertzidis et al 2018 ), and the integrated assessment of the German food-energy-water nexus sector (Schlör et al 2018a , b ). The importance of climate change was visible in the studies on combining the net-zero targets for a hydrogen community with an energy/exergy-water nexus perspective (Kılkış and Kılkış 2018 ) and the implications of national climate targets on the energy-water nexus in Germany (Sehn and Blesl 2021 ).…”