The sustainable water-energy nexus: Life-cycle impacts and feasibility of regional energy and water supply scenarios

摘要: Water and energy are critical, interdependent, regional resources, effective planning policies around which sources to use requires combining information on environmental impacts, cost, availability. Questions shifting water towards more renewable options, as well the potential role of natural gas from shale formations under intense discussion. Decisions these issues will be made in shadow climate change, both impact impacted by supplies. This work developed a model for calculating life-cycle impacts supply scenarios (REWSS). The was used discuss future pathways Pennsylvania, electricity Brazil, Arizona. To examine this also first process-based assessment (LCA) gas, focusing greenhouse (GHG) emissions, consumption, consumption. This LCA confirmed results that is similar conventional GHG though potentially has lower net due wide range production rates wells. Brazil’s electricity-related rise development continues. emissions shown double 2020 expanded (NG) coal usage, with 390% 2040 posssible tropical hydropower reservoirs. While uncertainty reservoir large, Brazil’s low intensity carbon targets threatened likely scenarios. Pennsylvania’s energy-related hinge whether NG replacement coal, allowing drop then plateau at 93% 2010 values; or transition fuel sources, showing steady decrease 86% 2035. Increased biofuels dominate land occupation may consumption depending irrigation – rises 7% 18% base case. Arizona further major basins, but aims reduce unsustainable groundwater usage. Desalination itself increase annual least 2% all categories 2035, prioritizing along desalination found GHGs 1% BAU, 2035 other 10% new construction operation. In PA AZ, changes have interconnected tradeoffs, making water-enegy nexus key part managing problems such change. Future supplies show higher interdependencies, not improve sustainability. offers way combine four important sets enable generation answers questions two resources.