ESD Search Seminar

A Thirst for Power: The Nexus of Energy and Water

By Michael E. Webber

Abstract:
Energy and water are precious, global, and interconnected resources. Water provides electric power directly and plays a growing role for irrigation of energy crops. At the same time, the thermoelectric sector is the largest user of water in the U.S., withdrawing 200 billion gallons daily for powerplant cooling. And while the energy sector uses water, the water sector uses energy for moving, pumping, treating, and heating. Given recent trends towards water-intensive fuels and energy-intensive water production (through desalination), the problems might only become worse. However, despite the close relationship of energy and water, the funding, policymaking, and oversight of these resources are typically performed by different people in separate agencies. Energy planners often assume they will have the water they need and water planners often assume they will have the energy they need-if one of these assumptions fails, the consequences will be dramatic. But, by bringing scientific and engineering expertise to bear on this vastly understudied problem, this scenario might be avoided. For this talk, Dr. Webber will build from his lectures in his courses and some of his recently published technical journal articles to share his perspective on the nexus of energy and water in America. In particular, he will discuss the water impacts of various alternative fuels that might potentially grow in use, including unconventional fossil fuels, electricity, and biofuels.