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WATER ENERGY
Nexus #2: Higher technology to treat impaired
water requires higher energy demand
* Membrane replacement,
Chemicals, Labor,
Maintenance
Energy
~33%
Capital
~33%
Other
O&M*
~33%
Membrane
Capital
31%
Energy
45%
Other
24%
Thermal (MED)
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Solution #2: Joint technology development
driving energy and cost out
WATER ENERGY
2010
1996
1.25
0.25
0.75
Cost
of
Water
$/m3
Cost of ‘Traditional’ Water Supply
Cost Water Reuse
Cost of Desalination
0.50
1.00
The cost of desalination with GE membranes has fallen by more than 80% in the last two decades
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2008 2012 2016 2020
$$
• High-Flux Membrane Systems
• Chem/Membrane/Equip Integration
• Advanced Pretreatment
• Next-Generation Electrical Processes
• Nano technologies
• Solar & Low Grade Heat Integration
• High-Efficiency Membrane Materials
• SWRO-PRO/RED Integration
• Renewable Energy Integration
• Nano-tube Active Transport
• Additive Particulate Separation
• Forward desalinationn
SHORT TERM
LONG
TERM
Opportunity #2: Technology development
driving energy and cost out
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Solution #3: Reduce consumption, replenish
reservoirs, alternative energy
Cauley Creek water reuse
facility…restoring lake levels by treating
municipal wastewater
Bioenergy
Geothermal
Natural Gas
Wind
Hydro
Solar
Hydrogen
WATER ENERGY
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WATER ENERGY
Nexus #4: Power generation requires large
quantities of water
>50% of global
industrial water
consumption is
used to generate
power
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Optimize water & energy
consumption in boiler, cooling and
fuel systems
Process &
Utilities
Solution #4: Reduce water consumption per
MW produced
Align optimum water source with
consumption need
Source
To Use
Water in
Convert waste streams
into value & minimize risk
Waste
To Value
Waste out
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EU: 20% by 2020
China: 100GW
Wind by 2020
India: -20 GW
Solar by 2022
Israel: 85% reuse today
90% by 2016
Saudi Arabia:
11% reuse today …
65% by 2016
Many countries taking action … US currently stalled
n Renewables
n Water
National policies
Spain: 11% reuse today
… 40% by 2015
Water data source: GWI
Renewables data source: REN21
Solution #7: National long-term policy critical
Only 5% of India’s municipal wastewater received secondary treatment…95% receives only primary treatment and flows directly to a receiving stream or the sea
In 2008, India is witnessing a very high peak electricity demand deficit of 12-13% and energy shortage of 6-8%, with which it is improbable for India to sustain high levels of economic growth
The Central Electricity Authority estimates that to meet it requirements, India would needs an addition of at least 161 GW of electricity generation capacity during the 11th and 12th five year plan periods. The government, on its part, has already set aside a fund of Rs 4108 billion (US$ 95 billion) for meeting new generation targets set forth in these plans.
If water were an economic commodity, we could expect the laws of supply and demand to play out. But do they in your world? I recently looked at the cost for water in over 180 locations around the world. If all was right with the world, one would expect a somewhat linear relationship between cost, on the X-axis, and availability, on the Y-axis, something like this …
In reality, there is almost no correlation. For example, in the Middle East where demand outstrips supply and desalination plants are the major source of potable water, water is almost free. Where is the motivation to reduce consumption? Water pricing is typically the same down to the last drop.
Why do the economics work this way? Two reasons:
First, public authorities supply most water and politicians do not like to raise water prices, a basic necessity … it can be career limiting.
Second, water systems typically involve high fixed costs and low operating costs, so the capex cost can be rolled into the general public debt and the opex can be minimized and subsidized if necessary. (Kathryn Garcia)
Three problems with this system:
When scarcity becomes an issue, it is very important to send a signal to customers that water is valuable.
Without a return on investment there is little incentive to invest in infrastructure and
There is no provision for depreciation of the fixed assets.
Policies must be addressed on a national level and must be long-term and predictable.
This chart lays out some examples of policies that are working today around the world for Water reuse and for renewables.
In the case of water, many countries are putting in water reuse policies … In Saudi Arabia .. 11% reuse target today going to 65% by 2015.
In the case of renewables, over 70 countries now have a renewable energy target. Europe: 20% by 2020, China’s goal 100 GW of wind by 2020, India just put in a goal of 20 GW solar by 2022.
Clearly, many countries are taking action. The US has a tremendous opportunity to improve. Currently, only 6% water reuse and less than 3% Wind/renewables. We all know there has been tremendous focus on the US energy policy. But it is currently stalled … what can we do to move forward?
Policies must be addressed on a national level and must be long-term and predictable.
This chart lays out some examples of policies that are working today around the world for Water reuse and for renewables.
In the case of water, many countries are putting in water reuse policies … In Saudi Arabia .. 11% reuse target today going to 65% by 2015.
In the case of renewables, over 70 countries now have a renewable energy target. Europe: 20% by 2020, China’s goal 100 GW of wind by 2020, India just put in a goal of 20 GW solar by 2022.
Clearly, many countries are taking action. The US has a tremendous opportunity to improve. Currently, only 6% water reuse and less than 3% Wind/renewables. We all know there has been tremendous focus on the US energy policy. But it is currently stalled … what can we do to move forward?
