Water and Energy
By the year 2050, our energy needs will have increased by approximately 60%. Understanding the interactions between water and energy is important to developing further our water security.
On July 29, 2011, the World Water Council entered into a tri-partite partnership agreement with Electricité de France (EDF) and the International Forum Committee (IFC) for the 6th World Water Forum. While the immediate object of the agreement was a dedicated partnership aiming to prepare substance for the 6th World Water Forum on the Water and Energy nexus, the collaboration has now been extended through 2015. Within the framework of the MoU signed between the Council and EDF, two working areas have been established: 1) Cross-use of water for energy and energy for water, impacts of energy on water; 2) Multi-purpose water uses of hydropower reservoirs.
1) Cross-use of water for energy and energy for water, impacts of energy on water
Assessment tools and methodologies estimating human activities’ use of water, alongside reporting guidelines and standards, have been developed during the last years. One of the best known among them is the ‘Water Footprint’ concept. Although all existing initiatives provide interesting outputs, the energy sector feels that none of them clearly fit their specific situations and needs.
During the 6th World Water Forum (2012), an ambitious project was launched with the objective to remedy this situation i.e. by establishing a conceptual and analytical framework to evaluate and report on energy production impacts on water.
2) Multiple uses of water and hydroelectric reservoirs
Demographic growth and development forecasts for 2050 announce “stressed” contexts for several resources, in particular water and food. In the view of a climate change context, growing demand, and better consideration of the environment, improved and harmonized management of multiple uses of water has become crucial for drinking water, irrigation, energy production and cooling-systems for thermal power plants, tourism and navigation. Specific attention will be paid to hydro-electricity which affects several uses and is at the heart of the water, food and energy nexus.
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