Energy-Water Nexus 2015
Energy and water are both key resources for societies all around the world, and complex interdependencies exist between the two systems. This has been coined the “energy-water nexus.” At its simplest, this can be broken down into “water for energy” - water utilization for cooling thermoelectric power plants, hydraulic fracturing, geothermal energy, enhanced oil recovery, biomass, and hydropower - and “energy for water” - energy utilization for water management, treatment, desalination, distribution, and heating.
In the face of climate change, the relationship between energy and water systems will continue to evolve, driven by mitigation measures affecting energy portfolios and technologies, and adaptation measures addressing changing precipitation and temperature patterns. This contest seeks high-impact proposals providing an immediate, feasible action that can be taken to address any local, national, regional, or international challenge at the nexus of energy and water.
