Mapped Water-energy Dependence Around Pacific Rim

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Mapped Water-energy Dependence Around Pacific Rim

A wide-ranging analysis of water vulnerability across the Pacific  has identified hundreds of locations where energy production depends upon scarce water supplies.

Water-energy dependence around Pacific Rim mapped in new Sandia studyThe Sandia National Laboratories study, "Mapping Water Consumption for Energy Production Around the Pacific Rim," was published in Environmental Research Letters.

Prepared for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the first-of-its-kind report maps out every power plant, refinery and mine in 21 Asia-Pacific economies that rely on fresh water for energy.

Simultaneously, it shows the data in context to regions at high to extreme risk of drought and dwindling natural water supplies.

"This is the first time we have worked on a project of this scale to illustrate how much fresh water is used for energy development," said Sandia hydrologist Vince Tidwell, who co-authored the report with technologist Barbie Moreland. "The purpose was to lay out a foundation to raise awareness in these economies about energy-water issues and vulnerabilities they are facing."

The report compares demand in 10 energy sectors where fresh water is consumed to produce energy—including thermoelectric and hydroelectric power production; coal, uranium, natural gas and oil extraction; refining of biofuels, oil and natural gas; and production of biofuel feedstocks.

Water-energy dependence around Pacific Rim mapped in new Sandia studyAmong the 21 APEC economies are some of the world's biggest energy users, where economics, population growth and other factors contribute to mounting water demands. The U.S. alone has more than 1,200 thermoelectric power plants, more than 500 refineries, and about 800 mines.

Sandia based the Asia-Pacific study on its decades of experience analyzing water data and developing water models, along with expert research in water technology and development. Sandia's core mission to solve complex national security problems includes safeguarding resilient and sustainable energy-water systems.

Source: Phys.org

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