The water-energy nexus: enhancing the role of virtual water and renewable energy

Transcription

1 Can implementation of the Water Nexus support economic growth in the Mediterranean region? February 2015, Ankara, Turkey The water-energy nexus: enhancing the role of virtual water and renewable energy Maamar Sebri University of Sousse, Tunisia 1

2 Contents Water-energy nexus: direct link and feedback Water scarcity in the Mediterranean region Coping with water scarcity: Desalination Coping with water scarcity: Virtual water Conclusion 2

3 Water, energy and food 3

4 The water-energy nexus 4 Source: IRENA, 2015

5 Renewable freshwater availability per inhabitant in the Mediterranean region 5 Source: Ben Jannet Allal, 2014

6 Vulnerability of Mediterranean water system In 2025: the 250 million person will live in countries with less than 1000 m3 /habitant/ year 80 million of whom will have scarce water (i.e. countries with less than 500 m3 /habitant/year) In 2008, the Mediterranean region accounted for 60% of the population of the world s water-poor countries 20 million Mediterranean inhabitants, mainly in rural areas, have no access to drinking water Source : Plan Bleu (2008) 6

7 Renewable water per capita per year Libya Tunisia Algeria Morocco 7

8 Coping with water scarcity (1): desalination In addition to efficient water management, wastewater treatment, water desalination is a another option Desalination is an intensive-energy consumer Desalination using renewable energy resources is the most promising solution This can help supply a share of water needs in a sustainable manner 8

9 Total contracted capacity of all desalination plants 9 Source: Ben Jannet Allal, 2014

10 Amount of energy required to provide 1 m3 10

11 Renewable energy The energy requirements for desalination can be met through renewable energy, Until recently, only small desalination plants use renewable energy in the Maghreb countries, Desalination plants have operated successfully using solar, wind or geothermal energy, A huge solar energy potential of the Maghreb countries 11

12 Renewable electricity production in 2012 (Gwh) and objectives Country Total electricity production Total Renewable electricity 2012, % Target, % Algeria By 2030: 40% Libya By 2020: 10% Morocco By 2020: 42% Tunisia By 2030: 30% Source: United Nations,

13 Some measures to be undertaken at local level Encourage private sector partnerships on renewable energy supported by new financing and legal mechanisms, Further integration of renewable energy policies with development plans, Strengthened institutional, financial and legal mechanisms to support and spread of renewable energy 13

14 Some sub-regional energy projects in the Mediterranean region The Maghreb Electricity Sub-Regional Project The Energy Efficiency in the Mediterranean Construction Sector project The Medstat II Energy Component project The PROSOL project The TuNur project 14

15 TuNur project: Solar energy export from Tunisia to Europe 15

16 Coping with water scarcity (2): virtual water Virtual water trade refers to the implicit exchange of water content in the production of goods and services traded among countries This trade of virtual water, in which countries import food supplies, effectively substitutes for water that would otherwise have been used in local production Virtual water leads also to energy saving: reduction in withdrawal of irrigation water, reduction in the desalination, 16

17 Global water savings associated with international trade in agricultural products, Source: Mekonnen and Hoekstra, 2011

18 Virtual water imports (Figure A) and exports (Figure B) in tonne grain/year Source: Dermody et al

19 Virtual water in the Maghreb region Countries Total virtual water imports (m3/capita) Algeria Libya Morocco Tunisia Ratio of virtual water imports to renewable water resources Source: Yang & Zehnder,

20 Renewable energy and virtual water: win-win approaches Improve security of water supply, Limit the cost of access to water Limit the environmental impacts (of fossil energy), Have the potential to enhance economic growth, Enhance food security. 20

21 In Conclusion The Mediterranean region needs to: Understand the existing nature of the water-energy nexus, Estimate its impacts under various future scenarios, Identify robust policy options to improve energy and water security A comprehensive strategy through a multidisciplinary approach Effective communication, negotiation, analysis, and parti cipation and harmonization of the work plans of various countries 21

22 Thank you 22