Accelerating Adaptation and Resilience Innovation at the Water-Energy Nexus

Water and energy are deeply interconnected. We need water to generate energy (like cooling for power plants) and we need energy to treat and move water. This relationship is known as the water-energy nexus. As our population grows and our demand for energy and clean water increases, it's essential to find new, innovative ways to manage these resources without causing harm to our planet.

The move towards cleaner forms of energy, like solar and wind, can have an impact on our water resources. Some methods of generating clean energy, like creating biofuels or running nuclear power plants, need a lot of water. On the other hand, sources like wind and solar power don't need much water at all. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has suggested that with careful planning, we can reduce the amount of water needed for energy production by the year 2030. However, even in this best-case scenario, we will still be using 50% more water than we do today because of the processes and technologies involved in clean energy production.

Water scarcity, or not having enough fresh water, can also affect how we produce energy. For example, in China, water shortages have had a big impact on coal-fired power stations, which need lots of water for cooling. On the flip side, when fresh water is in short supply, we might have to rely more on processes like desalination, which turns seawater into fresh water. But desalination uses a lot of energy. In the Middle East, it's predicted that by 2040, almost 15% of all energy used will go towards desalination, up from 5% today.

So, what can we do to solve these challenges? One solution is to get better at recycling and purifying water. Wastewater (used water) and seawater can both be turned into fresh water. Desalination, or removing salt from seawater, has lots of potential because there's so much seawater available. However, it requires a lot of energy. Advances in technology have made the process more energy-efficient over the years, but there's still room for improvement.

Recycling wastewater can be more efficient than desalinating seawater because it doesn't require as much energy. This method is already used in places with little fresh water, like Singapore and Windhoek, Namibia. Now, other regions, like Southern California, are also starting to recycle wastewater. Researchers are working on new materials and techniques to make the recycling process even more efficient.

But as we find ways to make more fresh water available, we need to remember that having more water can lead to more people. Population growth can put even more pressure on our water and energy resources, so it's important to keep this in mind as we develop new technologies and policies.

In conclusion, managing the relationship between water and energy is a complex task. It involves not just new technologies, but also changes in policy and how we live. By embracing these changes, we can make sure we have enough water and energy for the future, in a way that's sustainable and good for the planet.