Energy Water Use Research Articles

Water-energy trajectories for urban water and wastewater reveal the impact of city strategies

The global water industry has a greater emphasis on energy management than ever before. The confluence of rising energy demand and costs, and net-zero greenhouse gas emission targets means the sector must rapidly transition to a new ‘energy future’. Yet, few cities have assessed the long-term energy use of their water and wastewater systems. Here, we undertake a novel and integrated assessment of the historical trends of energy use for water and wastewater in three Australian and two US cities, collectively 17 million people. The key research question is what were the historical trends of energy use for water supply and wastewater treatment, and what can we understand about the drivers? The research contributes a first systematic time-series assessment of energy trajectories of both water and wastewater, across multiple cities. Uniquely, it integrates long-term (up to 20 years) energy dynamics in a comparative analysis. The work also contributes a qualitative analysis of driving factors behind the observed energy variations. The time-series analysis (2001−2020) identifies how energy use is evolving through time in widely differing climate, urban and water infrastructure conditions. The cities studied demonstrated downward trends in water use by 30–42% and wastewater collected by 5–30%, primarily due to water conservation and drought-related restrictions. Annual per-capita energy use for water supply reduced in Los Angeles (−58%, from 276 to 116.5 kWh/p/a), San Diego (−59%, from 503.7 to 204.2 kWh/p/a), Sydney (−26%, from 40.6 to 30.1 kWh/p/a) and increased in Melbourne (+859%, from 15.7 to 150.6 kWh/p/a) and Perth (+139%, from 118.1 to 281.9 kWh/p/a). Compared to water supply, energy use for wastewater was far more stable (it varied between 45 and 85 kWh/p/a), and not the crucial contributor to overall energy use dynamics. The significant increase in seawater desalination is identified as the primary driver of increased energy use in the three Australian cities. To offset this huge demand, developing renewable energy generation emerged as the key strategy. It causes high fluctuation of renewable energy use shares (Sydney: 317 GWh, accounting for 48.5% energy use for water and wastewater in 2011; compared to 19 GWh, accounting for only 2.5% in 2008). In contrast, both Los Angeles and San Diego managed to considerably reduce energy use by decreasing their imported water volume and energy intensity (the result of an adjusted supply portfolio). However, the absence of consistently comprehensive water/energy/renewable energy data remains a significant hurdle for a thorough quantitative analysis of drivers. Given these observations, it is evident that detailed quantitative analysis for influencing factors (e.g. water use, climate, infrastructure upgrading, sustainability targets), requires separately reported energy use for both water supply and wastewater, reported water from categorized sources and significant other data. By addressing these issues, we can have a clear path towards an energy-efficient, sustainable urban water system with net-zero emissions.

Odkaz cisterciánskeho rádu nielen pre manažment

Since its foundation in 1098, the monastic order of the Cistercians has left behind a respectable work preserved to these days. It is admired in the fields of politics, society, science, medicine, economics, culture and art, charity work, construction and architecture, soil cultivation, metal processing, the use of water energy, and the creation of landscapes. The Cistercians are a mirror of the formation of medieval society, and in their life, attitudes and actions, the entire richness of the birthing and forming Western society is reflected, and its foundations persist until today. It is extremely interesting and inspiring to learn about their life for current and future generations.

Water energy as a factor of industrialization in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century (based on the materials of industrial censuses)

One of the main issues in the course of industrialization is the provision of dynamically developing industrial production with energy sources. Despite the rapid spread of new types of engines in Russia in the late XIX – early XX centuries, water as an energy source continued to be actively used in industrial production. The research, the results of which are presented in the article, based on the published materials of the first (1900) and second (1908) industrial censuses showed that at the beginning of the twentieth century the share of water engines in the structure of the total power in industry as a whole not only did not decrease, but, on the contrary, increased. Groups of industries and provinces distinguished by the active use of water energy in industry have been identified. Analysis of statistical sources allows us to conclude that industrial enterprises are moving from water wheels to water turbines that exceed them in power. On the basis of industry data, the interrelations between the specific values of the use of water engines in the overall structure of the energy capacity of enterprises and their main production indicators (net profit, cost structure, etc.) are revealed. On the basis of correlation analysis, the hypothesis of a higher level of labor concentration at enterprises and in industries that have retained a significant proportion of water engines in the structure of their energy base has been confirmed.

Current Status of Renewable Energy Development in China and its Environmental Impact

Based on the “double carbon” proposal, the application area of renewable energy is becoming more and more extensive. The development of renewable energy sources inevitably has some drawbacks and even environmental impacts. In this paper, we analyze solar, hydro, geothermal and wind energy, and further explore their applications and impacts on the environment. The current renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, hydrogen and many others. These energy sources are frequently used to generate electricity in order to reduce the pollution caused by fossil fuels. At present, solar-related industries can pollute water and soil during production. The use of water energy requires the construction of power stations or dams, causing disruptions to fish migration and damaging watershed ecosystems. Wind power generation relies mainly on wind turbines, which generate noise that affects human life and hinders the survival of birds due to their large size. The application of geothermal energy has the potential to produce thermal and air pollution, and even lead to geological disasters. There is no denying that these energies pose many problems that cannot be ignored, so this paper intends to attract more scholars to pay attention to renewable energy and its drawbacks, and to further improve the use of renewable energy and reduce its environmental impacts by exploring. During China's energy development, hydrogen energy should be given priority since it has different advantages over other renewable energy in aerospace, electricity, and new energy vehicles, etc.

STUDI PERENCANAAN PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK TENAGA MIKROHIDRO PADA SALURAN IRIGASI DESA ANGANTAKA ABIANSEMAL BADUNG

The utilization of renewable energy can be a solution to meet the current increasing demand for electrical energy in rural areas, one of which is the use of water energy with the development of PLTMH. In this study, the planning of a microhydro power plant was carried out in the irrigation canal of Angantaka Abiansemal Badung Village as a source of electrical energy to meet the needs of electrical energy. The Angantaka Village irrigation channel has a head 2,1 meters, a width of 1,95 meters, an average depth of 0,88 meters and a water discharge of 0,3045 m3/s. The PLTMH planning system uses a breastshot wheel type water wheel with an efficiency of 75% and TEK STC-5 kW 3 phase AC synchronous generator and a 6 kW ELC control panel. Planning for PLTMH on the irrigation canal of Angantaka Abiansemal Badung Village with a capacity of 3,76 kW / 4,70 kVA. The initial investment cost required is IDR. 72.055.375 with operational and maintenance cost of IDR. 720.553 in one year.

The Development of the Use of Water Energy in the Mountain Catchment from a Sociohydrological Perspective

Man has been using the energy of flowing water since antiquity. Water milling flourished in Europe in the Middle Ages, reaching its maximum development in the 19th century. Since the beginning of the 20th century, water energy has been used to produce electricity. Acquiring the energy of water involves modifying the natural environment. Milling is considered to be the activity that started the emergence of fluvial anthropospheres in Europe. For centuries, the construction of watermills and millraces has caused the densification of the river network, raised the level of groundwater, and forced the deposition of sediments. From the point of view of sociohydrology, milling has been an expression of the economic and technological development of societies. The milling industry and, therefore, the natural environment have also been affected by political factors and beliefs. At the beginning of the 20th century, water drives were replaced with steam and later electric drives in mills. These changes resulted in the abandonment of millraces and the liquidation of weirs, which reversed the hydromorphological processes regulated by milling since the Middle Ages. The development of hydropower seems to be environmentally friendly owing to the use of renewable energy, but the environmental costs associated with the construction of a hydroelectric power plant cannot go unnoticed. The problem of the development of water energy use over the centuries has been studied on the basis of the example of the catchment of the mountain River Skawa. The study shows how many factors determined the development of the milling industry and, consequently, the transformation of the natural environment. These factors were largely local or regional, which shows that comprehensive analyses of anthropopressure cannot be of a global nature.

Analysis of water–energy nexus and trends in support of the sustainable development goals: A study using longitudinal water–energy use data

Water and energy are two critical natural resources necessary for human activities and socioeconomic development. Water and energy systems are highly interdependent, and water efficiency and energy efficiency are two related indicators for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. It is critical to improve energy–water use efficiency to sustain socioeconomic development while reducing adverse effects on natural resources, society and the environment. By using longitudinal energy–water use data for China over the past 21 years, this paper develops a temporo-spatial study to address key issues and introduce analytical approaches needed to understand the water–energy nexus and support integrated resource planning and management to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Decomposition analysis indicates that the production effect was the dominating factor contributing the increase in the country's energy–water use, while energy–water efficiency is the major factor slowing the growth of the country's energy–water use. Changes and trends analyses show that the country's energy intensity, water intensity, and water/energy ratio significantly decreased from 1999 to 2019, but the rate of decline has slowed. The disparities of the country's provincial energy intensities, water intensities, and water/energy ratios significantly decreased with economic growth. Results suggest that improving energy–water efficiency is critical for the country to curb increasing energy and water use and achieve resource and environmental protection targets with rapid economic development. The disparities between regional energy-water efficiencies can be reduced along with economic growth, while an overheated economy can widen the disparities and result in unsustainable and inefficient utilization of resources. Government coordination, targets and policy as part of the efficiency governance system are critical for continuous energy–water efficiency improvement and directly influence the implementation and effectiveness of energy–water efficiency policy.

Life Cycle Analysis of the Raseta Pump Using OpenLCA

Developed and crafted in Madagascar, the Raseta pump is a novel hydraulic ram (hydram) pump using a springs system. It operates differently from other pumps by the exclusive use of water energy due to the water hammer phenomenon induced by the sudden stop of the water flow. The present study initiates the investigation of the environmental impacts of this new type of hydram pump through a life cycle analysis using OpenLCA 1.8. It was found that, when operating in a small-scale water pumping system, the choice of the pump supply pipe material has small differences of environmental impacts, whether the material is made of steel or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Moreover, compared to a solar pump for the same pumping flow rate, the use of the Raseta pump is more environmentally friendly and less harmful to human health. However, the actual advantageous utilization of such a system needs further studies such as social and techno-economic analysis.

Processing of flat glass

The article discusses the issues of sheet glass processing and provides information about the application, advantages, disadvantages and technological capabilities. The technological parameters of waterjet processing that affect to the cutting quality: the jet speed, the grain size of the abrasive, the angle of jet inclination, the distance from the nozzle to the treated surface. The water cutting method or waterjet cutting can significantly increase the speed and quality of material cutting. From an economic point of view, the consumption of material and energy is significantly reduced (by 20-30%), due to the use of water energy as the cutting tool in this method. The consumable material is only water and abrasive material. By modeling, when using software, it is proved that during waterjet cutting, lower stresses are formed in the glass compared to mechanical roller cutting, thereby ensuring minimal heat generation and accurate cutting with an edge roughness of Ra 1.6 microns.

THE HYDROPOWER IN UKRAINE: ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS OF STIMULATING THE GREEN ENEGRY DEVELOPMENT AND RATIONAL USE OF HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL

The article focuses on the research of hydropower in Ukraine: its current state, problems, possible ways to solve them and prospects for development. The relevance of this research refers to the importance of a comprehensive study of hydropower in Ukraine as the main component of green energy, as well as the potential for the development of hydropower in the conditions of the future post-war rebuilding of Ukraine. The main research goal is to define a complex of organizational and economic instruments to stimulate the development of hydropower in Ukraine and to ensure the rational use of hydropower potential. The core research methods are analysis, comparison, systematic approach, dialectical method, methods of abstraction and concretization, mathematical and statistical methods, etc. The terminological content of the concept and peculiarities of use and protection of water resources are characterized. The growth of their scarcity for household and agro-industrial needs of Ukraine is shown. The peculiarities of the development of hydropower as a branch of energy, which provides a principle of operation based on the use of water energy, have been studied. Weak and strong points, opportunities, and threats to the development of hydropower have been identified. The main prospects for the development of the hydropower industry in Ukraine are analyzed. All possible aspects of development are divided into two groups: effective environmental management of water bodies and cost-effective environmental use of hydropower potential. Each of these areas is analyzed in the context of state policy and water policy of the largest representative of the hydropower industry. The main recommendations for the development of hydropower in Ukraine are offered, aimed at solving the problems of water management and economically justified environmental use of the hydropower potential of Ukraine.

The water-energy-food nexus and COVID-19: Towards a systematization of impacts and responses.

The COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to examine the impacts of system-wide crises on key supply sectors such as water, energy and food. These sectors are becoming increasingly interlinked in environmental policy-making and with regard to achieving supply security. There is a pressing need for a systematization of impacts and responses beyond individual disruptions. This paper provides a holistic assessment of the implications of COVID-19 on the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. First, it integrates the academic literature related to single cases and disruptions to provide a broader view of COVID-19 demand- and supply-side disruptions and immediate effects. Then, the major, long-term impact categories of medicalization/hygienization, (re)localization of production, and demand fluctuations are highlighted. These impacts result in priority cross-links such as irrigation, energy requirements for local food production, energy use for water and wastewater treatment, or water for energy use. Finally, sector-level insights on impacts and responses are provided, drawing from illustrative cases. The analysis of impacts of COVID-19 on the WEF nexus reflects heterogeneous experiences of short-term adaptations, and highlights the revaluation of the water-food-trade nexus. Revived debates on food sufficiency can benefit from green applications to minimize expected trade-offs. The current crisis also reveals some gaps in the WEF nexus debates with regard to the lack of risk-based perspectives and the need for a better consideration of spatial aspects in resource integration. Regarding resource-security issues in the WEF nexus, the COVID-19 stress test boosts debates concerning the adequacy of the production value chains (e.g., contingency and storage, diversification, and self-sufficiency) and the value of cross-border integration (e.g., trade, globalization, and aid).

Digital Archiving of Historical Water Utilization Structures Using an Interdisciplinary Method

Human efforts to regulate watercourses and the use of water energy in their favour goes back into the past. Although historical water management and utilization structures are the proof of that, only a small number of such structures have been preserved. The article deals with the applied research of the use of modern geodetic laser scanning stations in combination with photogrammetric digital technologies for creating technical documentation and digital visualization of historical structures and national cultural monuments. Specifically, in this case, we will focus on the water utilization buildings – the water mill and water sawmill in the National Open-Air Museum, Rožnov pod Radhostěm, Czech Republic. Digital twins created using modern technologies may well serve not only for geo-tourism purposes but also as basis for potential future reconstruction or redevelopment projects. Keywords: 3D visualization; Digital photogrammetry; Digital twin; Industrial monuments; Laser scanning. DOI 10.35180/gse-2021-0046

Velocity and turbulence affected by various vegetations in open channel

Water energy is a conventional source of source that is widely available in nature. It can be easily converted into high quality secondary energy-electric energy through hydroelectric power stations. Hydropower is not only a widely used conventional energy source, but also a renewable energy source. Moreover, hydroelectric power has no pollution to the environment. Therefore, water energy is an inexhaustible and high-quality energy source among many energy sources in the world. However, vegetation can change flow structure and turbulence characteristics, impacting the use of water energy. In previous researches, few studies have focused on the comparison of velocity and turbulence influenced by various vegetations. Therefore, laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate hydrodynamics affected by submerged rigid vegetation (reed and wooden stick) and merged flexible vegetation (grass and chlorella) under different conditions. The time-averaged velocity distributions of planted floodplain are not logarithmic. Instead, reed and wooden stick followed an “S-shape” profile, but for grass and chlorella, they presented reverse S-shape profile. For all cases, turbulence is not isotropic and the change law of turbulence intensity is different in different sections.

Provincial virtual energy-water use and its flows within China: A multiregional input-output approach

The energy industry in China is responsible for the largest water withdrawal and consumption in the secondary industry. In addition to the large quantities, another important feature of energy-water use in China is a critical spatial mismatch between water consumption and water availability. We used a multiregional input-output model to investigate virtual water of the energy industry in the Chinese provinces, and to determine virtual water flows embedded in energy-related trade among the provinces. The domestic interprovincial trade of energy in China has caused virtual water being used outside of the energy production province, including 8.6% of the virtual water withdrawal and 15.6% of the virtual water consumption. The results demonstrate there are a general north-to-south flow and a west-to-east flow of virtual energy-water within China. This flowing pattern indicates the energy consumption in the more-developed provinces, such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong, are supported by water use from the less-developed provinces where water scarcity is severe. Particularly, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia are two major exporters of virtual energy-water because more than half of the water resources in these two provinces outflow mainly to the north region, imposing huge pressure on the scarce domestic water resources in these two provinces. This study has proved the great importance of and also provided an approach to integrating water-energy nexus into energy industry planning and management in China.

Research of gas content and interfacial area in the downflow pipes of a circulation apparatus with jet injection gas filling

The object of research is an apparatus with jet injection gas filling. The studies are conducted on an experimental installation of a working medium of water-air. The distribution of gas phase bubbles is studied depending on the operating parameters of the apparatus. The value of the local and total gas content, as well as the specific surface of the phase contact, is determined. The gas content and the contact surface of the phases in the downflow pipes of the circulation apparatus with jet injection gas filling are investigated. The use of circulating apparatuses with jet injection gas filling is promising for carrying out mass transfer and reaction mass transfer processes. Due to the use of water energy for gas filling of the reaction space, the devices have advantages over airlift and gas-lift devices, bubble columns in chemisorption processes with slightly soluble gases. Experimental studies of the gas content and the contact surfaces of the phases from the operating-technological and hardware-structural parameters makes it possible to determine the optimal operating conditions. According to the results of studies, it is found that the diameter of the bubbles increases with an increase in the number of revolutions of the shaft of the mixing device. The mode of suspension of the gas phase took place at shaft rotation numbers from 600 rpm up to 750 rpm. With an increase in the number of revolutions, the resistance to the force of bubbling of bubbles increases and the suspension mode switches to the gas-liquid flow circulation mode. The ability to control the gas saturation process due to fluid circulation, regardless of the fluid load of the apparatus, is one of the advantages of the developed design. It is established that the total gas content in the downflow channels varies from 0.07–0.10 to 0.1–0.18, which is typical for gas-liquid devices. The total gas content in the downflow channels of the apparatus is in the range from 100 to 260 m2/m3 of the reaction volume and is typical for most gas-liquid bubblers. The results of studies of the operating modes of the apparatus with jet injection gas filling in the suspension mode of the gas phase can be used to calculate the mass transfer coefficient.

Analysis of energy signatures and planning of heating and domestic hot water energy use in buildings in Norway

Widespread introduction of low energy buildings (LEBs), passive houses, and zero emission buildings (ZEBs) are national target in Norway. In order to achieve better energy performance in these types of buildings and successfully integrate them in energy system, reliable planning and prediction techniques for heat energy use are required. However, the issue of energy planning in LEBs currently remains challenging for district heating companies. This article proposed an improved methodology for planning and analysis of domestic hot water and heating energy use in LEBs based on energy signature method. The methodology was tested on a passive school in Oslo, Norway. In order to divide energy signature curve on temperature dependent and independent parts, it was proposed to use piecewise regression. Each of these parts were analyzed separately. The problem of dealing with outliers and selection of the factors that had impact of energy was considered. For temperature dependent part, the different methods of modelling were compared by statistical criteria. The investigation showed that linear multiple regression model resulted in better accuracy in the prediction than SVM, PLS, and LASSO models. In order to explain temperature independent part of energy signature the hourly profiles of energy use were developed.

Superhydrophobic surfaces-based redox-induced electricity from water droplets for self-powered wearable electronics

Making use of water energy is an attractive, renewable and clean way to derive some electronic devices. Although flowing water droplets can be utilized to generate electric signals, the corresponding origins are still unclear due to the fluid-flow-induced various effects, while generating electricity from static water droplets still remains a challenge. Here, we report redox-induced electricity from static water droplets for self-powered wearable electronics, where superhydrophobic surfaces with nanostructures not only can be utilized to enhance the output current, but also can increase the output stability. The fabricated device can deliver an output voltage of about 0.78 V and an output current of about 0.25 mA with a corresponding power density of about 30 mW/cm3 by using a 10-μL water droplet. Only three water droplets can be utilized to directly drive a wearable watch and sustainably power a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature variations of a human hand.

Методичні особливості роботи з навчальним посібником «Економіка використання водних ресурсів» 10 клас в гімназіях та ліцеях

The article analyzes the structure, contents of the textbook "Economics of Water Resources Use", 10th grade, recommendations for its use in the educational process, in particular, raises the question of the ways water affects human health, kinds of disasters caused by pollution, etc. The methodological features of acquaintance with new economic concepts, achievements of technologies of water purification, use of water energy, application of a variety of filters and, most importantly, practical advice on ecological education are provided. A manual for learning the water problems of the society is necessary for institutions of general secondary education - educators need to be guided by the opinion that clean water, water resources are within the main human assets, therefore, they should be used rationally and treated with frugality. The study of the manual "Economics of Water Resources Use" for the 10th grade should be complemented by independent research (on a choice) - water management as a separate important branch of the national economy, based on the full use of available water resources of the country, management and regulation by certain state and economic bodies, economic (statistical) indicators of the state and prospects of this industry. In general, the work with the textbook contributes to raising the level of public awareness of water resources, increasing the share of information on water, forming an ecological culture, the development of environmental education.

Wpływ suszy hydrologicznej na inwestycje w energetyce wodnej. Możliwości zapobiegania skutkom suszy

W artykule zostały zaprezentowane kwestie związane z energetyką wodną, potencjałem hydrologicznym i sposobami jego szacowania. Wskazano, że woda ogólnie uważana jest za czyste, bezpieczne i przewidywalne źródło energii. Przeanalizowano wpływ suszy hydrologicznej i możliwości zapobiegania jej skutkom. Artykuł zawiera ocenę bezpieczeństwa energetycznego oraz efektywności ekonomicznej projektów w elektrowniach wodnych w czasie suszy.

Energy use and economical analysis of seedy watermelon production for different irrigation systems in Iran

Abstract Resource and energy use efficiency is one of the principal requirements of eco-efficient and sustainable agriculture. Seedy watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris; Joboni population) is irrigated by two methods including full and reduced irrigation systems in Iran. The objective of the present study was to compare seedy watermelon production in full (high input) and reduced (low input) irrigation systems in terms of irrigation water energy use efficiency (IWEUE), energy budget and economic analysis. Data were collected from 116 full irrigated and 93 reduced irrigated farms in northeast of Iran by using a face-to-face questionnaire in 2011–2012. The results showed that the total energy consumed under high input systems was 25625.94 MJ ha − 1 , whereas under low input was 3129.3 MJ ha − 1 . IWEUE and all of the energy indexes were improved in the reduced irrigation system compared to the full condition. The direct and renewable energies in the reduced irrigation system were higher than full irrigation. The economical analysis indicated that higher return was gained by the full irrigation system due to higher yield compared to the reduced irrigation system. Human labor had the highest impact on seedy watermelon among the other inputs based on the Cobb–Douglas production function.