Cross-sectional Integration of the Water-energy Nexus in Brazil

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems

卷:6

Catalina Spataru¹  Theodoros Semertzidis²  Raimund Bleischwitz² 

[1] Energy Institute, University College London, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London, United Kingdom;

[2] Institute for Sustainable Resources, University College London, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London, United Kingdom;

关键词: Water-energy nexus;    Brazil;    Resource flows;    Metrics.;   

DOI  :  10.13044/j.sdewes.d5.0169

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This paper analyses the cross-sectoral integration of the water-energy nexus in Brazil. Recent droughts resulted in unprecedented water scarcity. This caused water shortages for population and agriculture, as well as for electricity production (hydropower being the main source of electricity production). As a result, the system became more vulnerable to blackouts. To alleviate the problem, fossil fuels were used as a back up. Droughts, floods and other water-related problems will not dissipate as time goes by in Brazil. The dependency on one single predominant source (hydropower) makes Brazil’s electricity supply vulnerable. This study shows through data analysis, flow diagrams and metrics the interrelation between water and energy. Based on historical data, the analysis shows the importance of the water demand for hydropower, cooling for thermal plants, and the extraction and production of biofuels, as well as of the energy demand of water services (water supply, wastewater treatment).

【 授权许可】

Unknown