Understanding the water-energy-carbon nexus in urban water utilities: Comparison of four city case studies and the relevant influencing factors

Govindarajan, Venkatesh; Chan, Arthur; Brattebø, Helge

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2014.06.111

Cited by 132 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Emissions factors for the regional grid can be applied directly to convert estimated electricity use to GHG emissions. A number of studies in the literature have explicitly addressed the water-energy-GHG connection, ranging from more generalized approaches for calculating and reporting GHG emissions in the urban water sector (Oppenheimer et al 2014, Nair et al 2014 to site-specific energy and GHG intensity metrics for individual regional and urban water systems (Fang et al 2015, Venkatesh et al 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The estimated impact of California’s urban water conservation mandate on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

Spang

Holguin

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2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

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In April 2015, the Governor of California mandated a 25% statewide reduction in water consumption (relative to 2013 levels) by urban water suppliers. The more than 400 public water agencies affected by the regulation were also required to report monthly progress towards the conservation goal to the State Water Resources Control Board. This paper uses the reported data to assess how the water utilities have responded to this mandate and to estimate the electricity savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions associated with reduced operation of urban water infrastructure systems. The results show that California succeeded in saving 524 000 million gallons (MG) of water (a 24.5% decrease relative to the 2013 baseline) over the mandate period, which translates into 1830 GWh total electricity savings, and a GHG emissions reduction of 521 000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MT CO 2 e). For comparison, the total electricity savings linked to water conservation are approximately 11% greater than the savings achieved by the investor-owned electricity utilities' efficiency programs for roughly the same time period, and the GHG savings represent the equivalent of taking about 111 000 cars off the road for a year. These indirect, large-scale electricity and GHG savings were achieved at costs that were competitive with existing programs that target electricity and GHG savings directly and independently. Finally, given the breadth of the results produced, we built a companion website, called 'H2Open' (https://cwee.shinyapps.io/greengov/), to this research effort that allows users to view and explore the data and results across scales, from individual water utilities to the statewide summary.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The estimated impact of California’s urban water conservation mandate on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

Spang

Holguin

Loge

2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

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“…There are numerous other approaches that could make a contribution to resolving any future shortage of freshwater the United Kingdom may experience such as a reduction in leakage in the water supply system (Ventkatesh et al ., ). Improved agricultural practises is seen as another worthwhile opportunity (Finley & Seiber, ) for while it makes only a modest demand on total freshwater availability (1% of UK abstraction) it is a demand that has to be met when there is least freshwater available (dry, hot summers) (DEFRA, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The water‐energy nexus: future water resource availability and its implications on UK thermal power generation

Murrant

Quinn

Chapman

2015

Water & Environment J

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An increasing population coupled with the uncertain, but increasingly likely, impacts of climate change have led to a heightened level of global academic attention to the interdependencies that exist between the water and energy infrastructure networks. However, to date there has been limited research considering the water-energy nexus within a UK context. This article reviews the global and national literature to identify how a future lack of available water resource will impact upon the UK thermal power generation fleet, both in terms of freshwater resource and environmental constraints. It concludes that a combination of freshwater resource management and adaptation to use alternative water sources will be key in mitigating and adapting to climate impacts.

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“…Most of the tests are technology-oriented, and focus on energy (Wongbumru & Bart, 2014). Some look to water (Venkatesh, Chan, & Brattebø, 2014), and few focuses on food or FEW-nexus themes (Gondhalekar & Ramsauer, 2017;Wolsink, 2012). To go further we will need a mechanism to ensure the natural costs are paid and to ensure that choices are beneficial to both ecosystems and human beings, individuals and businesses.…”

Section: How-the Relationship Between Costs and Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a Design-Led Approach for the Food-Energy-Water Nexus in Cities

Yan

Roggema

2019

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Urban communities are particularly vulnerable to the future demand for food, energy and water, and this vulnerability is further exacerbated by the onset of climate change at local. Solutions need to be found in urban spaces. This article based around urban design practice sees urban agriculture as a key facilitator of nexus thinking, needing water and energy to be productive. Working directly with Urban Living Labs, the project team will co-design new food futures through the moveable nexus, a participatory design support platform to mobilize natural and social resources by integrating multi-disciplinary knowledge and technology. The moveable nexus is co-developed incrementally through a series of design workshops moving around living labs with the engagement of stakeholders. The methodology and the platform will be shared outside the teams so that the knowledge can be mobilized locally and globally.

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Understanding the water-energy-carbon nexus in urban water utilities: Comparison of four city case studies and the relevant influencing factors

Cited by 132 publications

References 21 publications

The estimated impact of California’s urban water conservation mandate on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

The estimated impact of California’s urban water conservation mandate on electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

The water‐energy nexus: future water resource availability and its implications on UK thermal power generation

Developing a Design-Led Approach for the Food-Energy-Water Nexus in Cities

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