Water Microgrids as a Hybrid Water Supply System: Review of Definitions, Research, and Challenges

Arif Hasnat, Binod Ale Magar, Amirmahdi Ghanaatikashani, Kriti Acharya and Sangmin Shin ()
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Arif Hasnat: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Binod Ale Magar: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Amirmahdi Ghanaatikashani: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Kriti Acharya: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Sangmin Shin: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-37

Abstract: Hybrid water supply systems (WSSs) integrating centralized and decentralized water systems have gained increasing interest in recent years to enhance water service sustainability and system resilience. An example of implementing hybrid WSSs is water microgrids, inspired by energy microgrids. Water microgrids can be depicted as a network (grid) of localized networks (sub-grids) comprising local water sources and their storage and distribution systems that operate in conjunction with a central WSS. They can operate in both ‘grid-connected or ‘islanded’ mode and support interaction and demand trade-offs with centralized WSSs at varying degrees of decentralization, providing flexibility and increased control over water resources. However, the concept of water microgrids is still in its infancy, and their application is limited due to a lack of design guidance and frameworks. This paper provides a comprehensive review of water microgrids, discussing the concept, design, benefits, and potential challenges by drawing insights from energy microgrids, and also discusses the standpoint in comparison with centralized, decentralized, and hybrid WSSs. It also explores integration of decentralized and hybrid infrastructure within existing WSSs, highlighting the balance between localized optimization and systemwide sustainability. The findings aim to broaden understanding of water microgrids, assessing their applicability and operational strategies in urban settings.

Keywords: water microgrids; decentralization; hybrid infrastructure; water recycling and reuse; water security; resilience; sustainability; water–energy nexus; scientometrics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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