Quantification of Synergies and Trade-offs of Water-Energy Nexus

Satisfying the ever increasing demand for basic services such as water and energy is one of the greatest challenges that are facing humanity today. Estimations indicate that by 2050, demand for water is expected to increase by 50% while for energy is expected to double according to many baseline scenarios. Covering this large potential demand is hindered by many complex factors such as limited natural resources and external drivers (e.g. climate change), which are putting more complexity to the challenge. Water and energy are closely linked sectors and any intervention in on them might affect the other sector positively and negatively. Thus, an integrated management of the two sectors together might provide some synergies that could be promoted and some trade-offs that could be eliminated. Looking at the synergies and trade-offs between sectors would contribute in offering some solutions for the challenge. Since its emerging, the nexus concept has received a wide acceptance from the science and policy communities. Despite this wide acceptance, quantification of synergies and trade-offs between the different sectors and resources is still far beyond the expectations. One of the major challenges that hinder its advancement is the lack of continuous quantitative records and measurements that are crucial for such studies. With the recent advancement in data collection methods and sensors, advanced approaches and tools, quantifying the water-energy nexus could be advanced. The main aim of this session is to shed lights on the new emerging approaches for quantifying the water-energy nexus, through theoretical information and practical applications. The outcomes of this session are believed to enhance our understanding about the available data and the recent method that could be applied to advance the quantification of water-energy nexus.

• Water-Energy Nexus
• Quantification
• Synergies
• Trade-offs
• Demand
• Supply