Water demand for electricity in deep decarbonisation scenarios: a multi-model assessment

I. Mouratiadou (), M. Bevione, L. Bijl, Laurent Drouet, M. Hejazi, S. Mima (), M. Pehl and G. Luderer
Additional contact information
I. Mouratiadou: PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development [Utrecht] - Universiteit Utrecht / Utrecht University [Utrecht]
M. Bevione: FEEM - Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei - Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei
L. Bijl: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development [Utrecht] - Universiteit Utrecht / Utrecht University [Utrecht]
M. Hejazi: Joint Global Change Research Institute - PNNL - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - UMD - University of Maryland [College Park] - University System of Maryland
S. Mima: GAEL - Laboratoire d'Economie Appliquée de Grenoble - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA [2016-2019] - Université Grenoble Alpes [2016-2019]
M. Pehl: PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
G. Luderer: PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

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Abstract: This study assesses the effects of deep electricity decarbonisation and shifts in the choice of power plant cooling technologies on global electricity water demand, using a suite of five integrated assessment models. We find that electricity sector decarbonisation results in co-benefits for water resources primarily due to the phase-out of water-intensive coal-based thermoelectric power generation, although these co-benefits vary substantially across decarbonisation scenarios. Wind and solar photovoltaic power represent a win-win option for both climate and water resources, but further expansion of nuclear or fossil- and biomass-fuelled power plants with carbon capture and storage may result in increased pressures on the water environment. Further to these results, the paper provides insights on the most crucial factors of uncertainty with regards to future estimates of water demand. These estimates varied substantially across models in scenarios where the effects of decarbonisation on the electricity mix were less clear-cut. Future thermal and water efficiency improvements of power generation technologies and demand-side energy efficiency improvements were also identified to be important factors of uncertainty. We conclude that in order to ensure positive effects of decarbonisation on water resources, climate policy should be combined with technology-specific energy and/or water policies.

Date: 2018-03
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Published in Climatic Change, 2018, 147 (1/2), pp.91-106. ⟨10.1007/s10584-017-2117-7⟩

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Journal Article: Water demand for electricity in deep decarbonisation scenarios: a multi-model assessment (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01662848

DOI: 10.1007/s10584-017-2117-7

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