Water Stress Implications of Energy Scenarios for the Middle East: An Assessment of Risks and Uncertainties

Abstract

Energy, water, and food systems have so far mostly been studied independently. In this chapter, we argue that it is important to take an "energy-water-food nexus approach" to analyzing these three resource systems. After briefly introducing the emerging literature on the energy-water-food nexus, we inspect the interrelationship between energy and water use in the Middle East. We present results for projected power production, water withdrawal, and water consumption levels until 2050 in the Middle East under both baseline and stringent climate policy scenarios. We also analyze how the use of different cooling techniques for the main power production options in the Middle East can yield water withdrawal and consumption savings in the electricity sector in the region. We end by informing authorities responsible for the implementation of energy-water policies on the risks and uncertainties associated with the water usage of future energy systems.

Water use in a sustainable net zero energy system: what are the implications of employing bioenergy with carbon capture and storage?

“…For instance, in the Figure 1: Evolution of the level of water stress: fresh water withdrawal as a proportion of available water resources by region in % related to the indicator 6.4.2 (Based on data from [15]) electricity generation sector, studies on TIAM-FR [24,25] and MESSAGE [26] models, implemented power plant cooling technologies to evaluate future water withdrawals trajectories. In a cost minimization approach with TIAM-ECN [27], the authors considered the water-energy nexus and demonstrated that the type of cooling technology impacts the water needs as much as the type of technology used. Also, in [28], GCAM model is used to assess future water demand under different cooling technologies adoption.…”