Publication detail

Water footprints and virtual water flows embodied in the power supply chain

Wang, L. Fan, Y.V. Varbanov, P.S. Wan Alwi, S.R. Klemeš, J.J.

English title

Water footprints and virtual water flows embodied in the power supply chain

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

en

Original abstract

Water use within power supply chains has been frequently investigated. A unified framework to quantify the water use of power supply chains deserves more development. This article provides an overview of the water footprint and virtual water incorporated into power supply chains. A water-use mapping model of the power supply chain is proposed in order to map the analysed research works according to the considered aspects. The distribution of water footprint per power generation technology per region is illustrated, in which Asia is characterised by the largest variation of the water footprint in hydro-, solar, and wind power. A broader consensus on the system boundary for the water footprint evaluation is needed. The review also concludes that the water footprint of power estimated by a top-down approach is usually higher and more accurate. A consistent virtual water accounting framework for power supply chains is still lacking. Water scarcity risks could increase through domestic and global power trade. This review provides policymakers with insights on integrating water and energy resources in order to achieve sustainable development for power supply chains. For future work, it is essential to identify the responsibilities of both the supply and demand sides to alleviate the water stress.

English abstract

Water use within power supply chains has been frequently investigated. A unified framework to quantify the water use of power supply chains deserves more development. This article provides an overview of the water footprint and virtual water incorporated into power supply chains. A water-use mapping model of the power supply chain is proposed in order to map the analysed research works according to the considered aspects. The distribution of water footprint per power generation technology per region is illustrated, in which Asia is characterised by the largest variation of the water footprint in hydro-, solar, and wind power. A broader consensus on the system boundary for the water footprint evaluation is needed. The review also concludes that the water footprint of power estimated by a top-down approach is usually higher and more accurate. A consistent virtual water accounting framework for power supply chains is still lacking. Water scarcity risks could increase through domestic and global power trade. This review provides policymakers with insights on integrating water and energy resources in order to achieve sustainable development for power supply chains. For future work, it is essential to identify the responsibilities of both the supply and demand sides to alleviate the water stress.

Keywords in English

power-water nexus; water footprint; virtual water; power supply chain; power trade

Released

01.11.2020

Publisher

MDPI, ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND

Location

MDPI, ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND

ISSN

2073-4441

Volume

12

Number

11

Pages from–to

1–21

Pages count

21

BIBTEX


@article{BUT168195,
  author="Yee Van {Fan} and Petar Sabev {Varbanov} and Jiří {Klemeš},
  title="Water footprints and virtual water flows embodied in the power supply chain",
  year="2020",
  volume="12",
  number="11",
  month="November",
  pages="1--21",
  publisher="MDPI, ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND",
  address="MDPI, ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND",
  issn="2073-4441"
}