Water, Energy, and Climate Critical Links

Transcription

1 Water, Energy, and Climate Critical Links for the EESI Congressional Briefing Washington, D.C. Dr. Peter H. Gleick September 2006

2 Conclusions Water use and energy use are closely linked. Energy production uses and pollutes water. Water use requires significant energy and has greenhouse gas implications. Energy and water issues are rarely integrated in policy. Considering them together offers substantial economic and environmental benefits.

3 Water Supply Use Disposal All Require Energy Source and Conveyance Treatment Distribution End Use Energy Inputs Wastewater Treatment

4 The Energy Fuel Cycle Requires Water Mining/ Processing Generation Distribution End Use Water Inputs Waste Disposal

5 Energy Intensity of Water Sources (Southern California) Source: Pacific Institute, 2004

6 Example: The California State Water Project (SWP) The SWP is the single largest user of energy in California. Consumes an average of 5 billion kwhr/yr. Pumping 1 acre-foot of water through the system to Los Angeles requires 3,000 kwhr.

7 Energy Intensity of Water in San Diego County, California 6,900 kwhr/af

8 Example: Inappropriate Subsidies in the Columbia Basin Inappropriate energy and water subsidies drive inefficient water use. Low energy prices for federal irrigators leads to overpumping. Subsidized power rates in the Columbia Basin Project creates an incentive for intensive pumping, excess water use, and power arbitrage.

9 Energy Intensity of Water in Potatoes, Columbia River Basin 1,470 kwhr/af

10 Energy and Water Treatment Average direct electricity requirement for surface water treatment is around 450 kwhr/af. Most of this is for pumping. Efficiency improvements are possible, to under 100 kwhr/af. Some new treatment choices, however, are more energy intensive (ozonation; ultraviolet )

11 Energy and Distribution Moving water from treatment to end users requires energy. Most energy is for pumping. On average, urban distribution systems require around 200 kwhr/af. Savings can be gained through centralized computer control, efficient pumps, and better pressure control.

12 Energy and Water End Use Water consumers use energy to heat, cool, purify, or pump water. There are vast differences in the energy use of end-users (agriculture, industrial, residential). There is vast potential to reduce water, and hence energy, needs of end users.

13 Refrigerator Volume, Energy Use, and Price

14 This Single Standard Has Saved Money, Energy, and Greenhouse Gases The refrigerator standard now saves, nationally, $17 billion per year. The refrigerator standard alone eliminated the need for 10 to 15 major power plants in California. Source: U.S. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory 2005

15 Estimated Energy Use of Clothes Washers Year Energy Use kwhr per Load Energy Use per Household (kwhr/year) 1980 to to 1998 New Washers ,540 1, Source: Pacific Institute, 2004

16 Accounting for Energy Benefits of Water Conservation Efficiency Device Installed 2.5 gpm Showerhead Efficient Washing Machines Efficient Dishwasher Cost of Conserved Water (water only) $/AF Cost of Conserved Water (water and energy) $/AF Source: Pacific Institute, 2004

17 Desalination and Energy Desalination is energy intensive and remains expensive compared to most alternatives (>$1,000/AF). Energy requirements are high and range from 4,400 to 5,500 kwhr/acrefoot for seawater. Improvements in energy intensity are possible, but appear to be slowing.

18 Substantial Water is Required for the Production of Energy Most water is used for cooling and is not consumed. In arid and semi-arid regions, this water demand can be substantial. Far more water is required for nuclear and fossil-fuel energy systems than for renewables.

19 Summary Water and energy are tightly linked, but these links are poorly understood or used in policy. Urban water conservation saves substantial energy. Water re-use is far less energy intensive than other physical sources of water. Impacts of energy used in agricultural water can be significant.

20 Overall Recommendations Decision makers should better integrate energy issues into water policy. Water conservation and efficiency should be given a higher priority by both water and energy planners. The greenhouse gas implications of both water and energy policy may be significant, with opportunities for fast, cost-effective reductions.

21 Federal Recommendations Perform energy intensity studies of water systems (BoR, DoI, ACoE). Manufacturers should report energy information on heating, recirculation, pressurization, and other functions separately (DoE). NEPA analyses for water supply should address energy and associated air-quality effects.

22 Federal Recommendations Implement water conservation planning requirements of CVPIA (BoR) Phase out irrigation, energy, and crop subsidies that lead to waste of water and energy (DoI, BoR, Bonneville). Pursue smart labeling of water efficient appliances that also save energy (EPA). Examine the climate implications of federal water policies (all agencies).

23 Pacific Institute th Street Oakland, California (510) Institute reports, including Energy Down the Drain, are available in electronic form without charge: Hard copies can be ordered from the Pacific Institute or online.