New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Consider water use in climate change policies: Energy efficient technologies can also save water at the same time

Date:
July 3, 2014
Source:
Springer Science+Business Media
Summary:
There’s more to trying to slow down climate change than just cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Technology, policies or plans that aim to do so should also take environmental factors such as water usage into account. A more integrated approach might make some options considerably more attractive than others, especially when implemented in arid countries such as Australia.
Share:
FULL STORY

There's more to trying to slow down climate change than just cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Technology, policies or plans that aim to do so should also take environmental factors such as water usage into account. A more integrated approach might make some options considerably more attractive than others, especially when implemented in arid countries such as Australia, advise Philip Wallis of Monash University in Australia and colleagues, in an article in Springer's journal Climatic Change.

The researchers considered the example of Australia to show how water usage influences the appeal of certain preferred mitigation options. They analyzed 74 options that were ranked in the influential "Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia" in 2010, and together could help Australia cut its 2000 emission levels by 25 percent by 2020.

The options varied considerably as to how much water each one uses. Energy efficiency measures were found to reduce water consumption, as do measures in the power sector generally. Renewable options such as solar thermal power only moderately impact water consumption. Further reductions are possible by tapping into existing power-related water supplies or using air or salt-water cooling. Wind power, biogas, solar photovoltaics, energy efficiency and operational improvements to existing power sources can reduce water demand by offsetting the water used to cool thermal power generation. This could help save nearly 100 Mmᶾ of water in Australia annually by 2020. Wallis believes the technologies and locations used for renewable energy should appropriately reflect water constraints.

Land-based mitigation measures such as "carbon farming" for carbon credits and the suggested reforestation of land use the most water. This is likely to influence catchment water yields, depending on where planting takes place. Although such plantings can also help reduce salinity, erosion, and flooding, the researchers believe some of these endeavors should be reconsidered, either in the scale of plantings, their location, or the carbon price required for these to be cost effective.

The reconfiguring of Australian cities towards water-efficient and low-energy systems represents both a significant challenge and opportunity. Energy is a substantial operational cost in the water industry, especially since the increased use of inter-basin water transfers and desalination plants. Urban water management indirectly influences 13 percent of electricity use plus 18 percent of Australia's natural gas usage. The water supply and waste-water sectors can however ensure savings by moving towards higher energy efficiency by using, for example, variable-speed water pumps and smart water meters, and renewable energy options such as small-scale hydroelectric plants. Demand management programs targeting hot water and the diversion or localized treatment of different types of waste-water should also be considered.

"This integrated analysis significantly changes the attractiveness of some mitigation options, compared to cases where water impacts are not considered," believes Wallis. "This Australian case shows that mitigation measures that carry water co-benefits, especially energy efficiency, ought to be pursued."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Springer Science+Business Media. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Philip J. Wallis, Michael B. Ward, Jamie Pittock, Karen Hussey, Howard Bamsey, Amandine Denis, Steven J. Kenway, Carey W. King, Shahbaz Mushtaq, Monique L. Retamal, Brian R. Spies. The water impacts of climate change mitigation measures. Climatic Change, 2014; 125 (2): 209 DOI: 10.1007/s10584-014-1156-6

Cite This Page:

Springer Science+Business Media. "Consider water use in climate change policies: Energy efficient technologies can also save water at the same time." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 July 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140703102605.htm>.
Springer Science+Business Media. (2014, July 3). Consider water use in climate change policies: Energy efficient technologies can also save water at the same time. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140703102605.htm
Springer Science+Business Media. "Consider water use in climate change policies: Energy efficient technologies can also save water at the same time." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140703102605.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES