THE WATER/ENERGY NEXUS and its relevance IN DESERT ENVIRONMENTS

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1 THE WATER/ENERGY NEXUS and its relevance IN DESERT ENVIRONMENTS Prof. Martin J. Pasqualetti School of Geographical Sciences Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of Sustainability Arizona State University SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY Workshop on Water and Energy 23 March 2014

2 ARIZONA OMAN 6,500, ,254 sq km mm/yr 3545 km² m POPULATION AREA RAINFALL IRRIGATED LAND ELEVATION RANGE 3,200, ,500 sq km mm/yr 558 km² 0 3,004 m

3 Introduction The Context of the Energy/Water Nexus

4 Humanity s Top 10 Problems for the 1. Energy 2. Water 3. Food 4. Environment 5. Poverty 6. Terrorism and War 7. Disease 8. Education 9. Democracy 10. Population Source: Nobel laureate, Richard Smalley Next 50 Years

5 Areas of Water Scarcity

6 Developing all Forms of Oil Won t Buy Much Time

7 OUTLINE PART ONE Basic Energy/Water Relationships PART TWO Energy/Water in the Arizona desert PART THREE Energy/Water in the desert of Oman PART FOUR Implications for the Future

8 Part One BASIC ENERGY/WATER RELATIONSHIPS

9 Water and Energy Are Tightly Linked

10 Electrical Generation Requires Cooling Water The global increase of demand for electricity will collide with the increasing demand for water in a warming climate.

11 Water Withdrawals for Power Plant Cooling Exceeds Any Other use

12 Water Demand for Energy to Double by 2035

Based on the mix of fuels and cooling technologies, the average U.S.

14 Indirect Water Use In US Households A U.S. household uses about 278,000 liters directly each month for residential purposes for a 2.4 person household An average household uses just under 1,000 kwh of electricity each month based on the 2010 U.S. Census data (958 kwh). Based on the mix of fuels and cooling technologies, the average U.S. household indirectly uses about 150,000 liters of water per month through the associated water footprint of electricity. Therefore, we can say that we use five times more water indirectly through electrical production than through all of our household sinks, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, faucets and hoses combined. Exceeds Direct Use

An estimated 724 stream miles were destroyed by valley fills from 1985 to 2001.

15 Coal Mining Reduces River Quality Approximately 1,200 miles of headwater streams were directly impacted by mountaintop removal between 1992 and 2002 in the study area. An estimated 724 stream miles were destroyed by valley fills from 1985 to River Polluted by Coal Mine Wastes Rivers Destroyed Mountain-Top Removal NRDC, Coal in A Changing Climate (p. 8).

EOR by Hydraulic Fracturing Will Require More Water Water first pumped down the hole to enhance oil and recovery typically totals 2 million gallons (7.5 million liters) per well.

16 EOR by Hydraulic Fracturing Will Require More Water Water first pumped down the hole to enhance oil and recovery typically totals 2 million gallons (7.5 million liters) per well. Plus each of wells uses more than 600 gallons (2,300 liters) in maintenance water. Without it, salt buildup forms and restricts the flow of oil. Over the life of the well (30-40 years) maintenance water needs could add up to 6.6 million to 8.8 million gallons (25 to 33.3 million liters) or more than three to four times the water required for the initial fracturing.

electricity sector by 80 percent, or about 7500 megaliters per day, according to research at U.

17 Capturing Carbon = ~2X Water Use By 2030, the addition of carbon-capture technology would boost water consumption in the U.S. electricity sector by 80 percent, or about 7500 megaliters per day, according to research at U.S. Department of Energy. Source: The Water Cost of Carbon Capture: Coal power's carbon savior could double its water woes. By Samuel K. Moore. Posted 28 May 2010

18 New research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research has found that the global rise in sea level is happening 60% faster than the projections by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Greener Ideas, Dec. 1, 2012

19 Arizona This Way Effect of Sea Level Rise on the Location of Retired People

20 Part Two ENERGY and WATER IN THE ARIZONA DESERT

21 Arizona s Rapid Growth

22 The Colorado River Machine The Colorado River provides water to millions of people in 7 states

23 Lake Powell, Arizona at Full Pool

24 Present Conditions at Lake Powell

ac-ft/yr Lake Powell - 553,000 ac-ft/yr 1

25 Evaporation and Bank Storage at Two Arizona Hydroelectric Dams Lake Mead - 648,000 ac-ft/yr Lake Powell - 553,000 ac-ft/yr Mm 3 /yr lost east year (Oman demand = Mm 3 )

26 Arizona Resident Avoid Reality

27 Arizona Power Plants Legend Arizona Power Plants PRIMARY_FUEL " Coal! Nuclear!( Natural Gas # Water!( Sun ' Geothermal Landfill Gas Wood/Waste Solids!( Fuel Oil

28 Example of Plant-Specific Data Historic Water Use at APS Four Corners Power Plant Fuel Source: Coal All Values in Acre-Feet (except where noted) PLANT Year Total Water Use Water Use By Source Return Flow Net MWH Ground Water Surface Water Treated Effluent Four Corners , , ,992 14,920, ,488 Four Corners , , ,714 15,299, ,186 Four Corners , , ,002 13,674, ,033 Four Corners , , ,860 15,678, ,594 Four Corners , , ,469 14,987, ,535 Four Corners , , ,872 17,288, ,831 Four Corners , , ,411 17,739, ,342 27,990 Notes: 15,873, ,667 Normalized water consumption = (Water Use - Return flow)/net MWH Source of Water for the Four Corners Power Plant is surface water from the San Juan River. Water Rights owned by BHP. Water is stored in nearby Morgan Lake which is also used for plant cooling. There are no cooling towers at the Four Corners Power Plant. Blowdown water (Return Flow) from Morgan Lake is discharged to a tributary of the San Juan River system under NPDES permit. Normalized Water Consumption (Gallons/MWh)

29 Water Consumed by Power Generation in Arizona Meets the yearly water needs of ~125,000 people in 500 m 3 per person; i.e. approx the same number as in Arizona m 3

30 Arizona Electrical Sources, including imports

31 Electricity Exports

33 To Northwest power grid: Export 5,930 AF NV: Export 3,042 AF -3,042 AF Net Virtual Water Consumption -30,000 acre-feet (37 Mm 3 ) CO: Export 900 AF Import 4,277 AF +3,377 AF CA: Export 24,501 AF Kingman Prescott Flagstaff NM: Export 6,771 AF Import 17,572 AF +10,801 AF Phoenix Yuma Casa Grande Arizona: Export: 51,613 AF Import: 21,800 AF Tucson TX: Export 10,469 AF -10,469 AF

34 Virtual Water Transfers from the Entire Colorado River Watershed 330,000 Ac-Ft (407 Mm 3 ) Source: Scott Kelley and Martin J. Pasqualetti. Virtual Water from a Vanishing River Journal American Water Works Association. 105:9. September

35 Conclusions for Arizona Water shortages will curtail energy development options Permits will be denied for conventional energy power plants because there are insufficient supplies of cooling water Alternative approaches will be required Low-water using renewable energy is an obvious option

36 Part Three ENERGY/WATER IN THE DESERTS OF OMAN

37 Goals for Oman Self sufficiency in food production Diversification of the economy Enhanced tourism ALL THESE ASPIRATIONS REQUIRE ENERGY AND WATER

WATER CONDITIONS IN OMAN Groundwater 130,000 production wells Springs 3017 Aflaj - 4112 Source: Water Sector in

38 WATER CONDITIONS IN OMAN Groundwater 130,000 production wells Springs 3017 Aflaj Source: Water Sector in the Sultanate of Oman, Said Al Habsi and Nasser Al Hosni, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

Water Conditions in Oman - 2 Recent studies show that the average water demands in Oman is about 1872 Mm 3 /year, which exceeds the available water resources by about 316 Mm 3.

39 Water Conditions in Oman - 2 Recent studies show that the average water demands in Oman is about 1872 Mm 3 /year, which exceeds the available water resources by about 316 Mm 3. Water availability = 500 m 3 /capita (extreme stress) Sources: Tourism and Water Resources in Oman Dr. Aisha Mufti Al-Sayyid Hassan Al-Qurashi, Seminar on: Water for Sustainable Tourism industry Sep 2013 Sultanate Of Oman, Nizwa; Water Sector in the Sultanate of Oman, Said Al Habsi and Nasser Al Hosni, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

30% is lost to the sea or desert Source: Integrated Water Management Strategy

40 Water Conditions in Oman - 3 Water levels and Aflaj flows are declining 92% of water resources are used in agriculture Saline intrusion in coastal aquifers 30% is lost to the sea or desert Source: Integrated Water Management Strategy in Oman, Dr. Saif Al Shaqsi, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

41 Water Use in Oman Water Sector in the Sultanate of Oman, Said Al Habsi and Nasser Al Hosni, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

42 Main Water Challenges in Oman Balance demand and renewable water resources Protect water resources from both pollution and depletion Secure safe potable water supply Increase in collection and reuse of treated wastewater Secure industrial and commercial water demand according to the available water resources Protect and save the achieved investments in the water sector s infrastructure Integrated Water Management Strategy in Oman, Dr. Saif Al Shaqsi, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

43 OIL AND GAS in OMAN In 2012, Oman's hydrocarbons sector accounted for 86% of government revenues, according to the country's Ministry of Finance. Further, revenues from oil and natural gas accounted for approximately 40% of Oman's gross domestic product in 2012, according to IHS Global Insight. Source: Norton Rose Fulbright

44 Hydrocarbons in Oman - 1 Oman's total oil supply reached 924,000 barrels per day in 2012, and the government hopes to produce more than 940,000 barrels per day in Oman aims to capitalize on its strategic location on the Arabian Peninsula by expanding its refining and storage sectors

45 Reserve-to-Production Ratio is Low

Hydrocarbons in Oman - 2 Long-term contracts requires that 55% of gas production is exported, resulting in domestic demand consistently outstripping

46 Hydrocarbons in Oman - 2 Long-term contracts requires that 55% of gas production is exported, resulting in domestic demand consistently outstripping production. As a result, Oman is a net importer of natural gas at a rate of 200 million cubic feet per day for the purposes of electricity generation.

47 EOR in Oman After declining for several years in the early 2000s, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, such as steam injection and miscible injection, have been the key driver of Oman's rebounding oil production since 2007 EOR in the form of hydraulic fracturing will require substantial water

48 What Comes Next? Despite Oman s oil and gas resources, neither is easily accessible, expensive to develop and shortlived Oman's fiscal breakeven price for oil in 2013 is approximately $104 per barrel What will replace this source of energy when it runs out?

49 Part Four IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

50 Life After Oil

51 Integrated Program to Meet Future Water Requirements Water Sector in the Sultanate of Oman, Said Al Habsi and Nasser Al Hosni, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

Non-Conventional Water Resources Desalination Storage dams and recharge dams Wastewater treatment Imported virtual water Al Ghubrah Power &

52 Non-Conventional Water Resources Desalination Storage dams and recharge dams Wastewater treatment Imported virtual water Al Ghubrah Power & Desalination Company Source: Water Sector in the Sultanate of Oman, Said Al Habsi and Nasser Al Hosni, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

53 Moving Toward Efficiency Source: IEA, World Energy Outlook, 2010, page 90.

The Move Toward Self-Sufficiency Source: http://new.

54 The Move Toward Self-Sufficiency Source:

55 Renewables Tend to Have Low Water Needs 1 gallon = 3.8 liters

56 Moving Away from Fossil Fuels In general, moving away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources will help stretch limited freshwater resources.

57 Renewable Energy in Oman Oman has a nascent renewable energy sector, with several projects making progress in In its 2012 Annual Report, Oman's Rural Areas Electricity Company detailed five renewable electricity projects, of which three are solar and two are wind. The combined capacity of the five projects is over 6 megawatts, but none of the proposed facilities are ready to begin operations.

58 Geothermal Energy Source: Al Lamki & Terken, GeoArabia, Vol.I, no.4, 1996

Geothermal Energy While the abundant geothermal resources in the Sultanate are essentially lowenthalpy (temperature) reservoirs, they can be used for a range of

59 Geothermal Energy While the abundant geothermal resources in the Sultanate are essentially lowenthalpy (temperature) reservoirs, they can be used for a range of applications that currently depend on conventional energy. These include heating, cooling, crop production, and even desalination of brackish water Al Rustaq hot spring, Oman

60 Source: Geothermal Energy: an Option for Oman? The overlooked potential of lowtemperature geothermal resources. RG Thermal Energy Solutions.

61 Solar and Wind Projects in Oman The projects are to be in different governorates of the country with a solar plant to be in Musandam and three in Al Wusta, while two wind farms are to be located in Dhofar. Annual Report 2012, Rural Areas Electricity Company

62 Wind Power in Oman Oman benefits from a long coastline and exposure to the strong summer and winter monsoon winds. It has an average wind speed slightly over 5 m/s and an estimated 2,463 hours of full load per year, making wind power an economically viable form of renewable energy. Recent studies undertaken show that several identified locations would produce 2.3TWh a year of electricity. This corresponds to 12 per cent of Oman s 2010 electricity production. Source: Norton Rose Fulbright

Wind Power Issues Care should be exercised to avoid

Pasqualetti. 2012. The Misdirected Opposition to Wind Power.

63 Wind Power Issues Care should be exercised to avoid environmental damage and public opposition Reference: Martin J. Pasqualetti The Misdirected Opposition to Wind Power. In Learning from Wind Power: Governance, Societal and Policy Perspectives on Sustainable Energy. Joseph Szarka, Richard Cowell, Geraint Ellis, Peter Strachan and Charles Warren, eds. Palgrave, pp

64 Public Resistance is Mostly About Aesthetics and Personal Space

65 Solar Power is Abundant, Clean, Low-Water and Limitless

66 Solar Replacing at Coal

67 Solar Replacing Nuclear

68 Solar Replacing Oil

69 New Solar Installations 1. Aqua Caliente 250MW (PV)

70 2. Solar Power Project 280 MW (parabolic trough - wet)

71 3. Ivanpah 400 MW (power tower dry)

72 Dry-Cooling is Becoming Mandatory Higher costs, lower efficiency, but more than 90% reduction in consumed water

73 Solar Desalination is a Clean Necessity

74 Water/Energy Recommendations for Oman Continue and improve conventional water conservation measures Strengthen energy efficiency throughout the economy (and save water at the same time) Diversify the energy sector by accelerating recent trends toward renewable energy development Increase the use of dry (air) cooling technologies Develop renewable energy for desalination

75 Abundant Opportunities for Collaboration In many ways, the energy/water nexus creates the same problems and suggests the same solutions in the deserts of Oman as it does in the desert s of Arizona. Perhaps we can work together for the common goal of a more sustainable future in both places.

76 THE WATER/ENERGY NEXUS and its relevance IN DESERT ENVIRONMENTS Prof. Martin J. Pasqualetti School of Geographical Sciences Senior Sustainability Scientist, Global Institute of Sustainability Arizona State University THANK YOU SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY Workshop on Water and Energy 23 March 2014

77 Selected References Scott Kelley and Martin J. Pasqualetti. Virtual Water from a Vanishing River Journal American Water Works Association. 105:9. September Martin J. Pasqualetti. The Water Bargain of Solar and Wind Energy. In The Water-Energy Nexus in the Western United States, edited by Douglas S. Kenney and Robert Wilkinson. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing Inc. Chapter 16, pp Christopher Scott and Martin J. Pasqualetti. Energy and Water Resources Scarcity: Critical Infrastructure for Growth and Economic Development in Arizona and Sonora. Natural Resources Journal, 50 (3): Christopher A. Scott, Suzanne A. Pierce, Martin J. Pasqualetti, Alice L. Jones, Burrell E. Montz, Joseph H. Hoover. Policy and institutional dimensions of the water energy nexus. Energy Policy. 39(10): Ben Ruddell and Martin J. Pasqualetti. Arizona s Energy/Water Nexus. In Arizona s Energy Future. Clark Miller and Sharlissa Moore, eds. Phoenix: Arizona Town Hall. Pp

Colorado River Challenges Impacts to Southern Arizona

Colorado River Challenges Impacts to Southern Arizona 2 3 4 5 Colorado River Basics 7 States, 2 Nations Annual Flow 15.0 MAF 40 Million People All of the Major Cities in Southwest 5.5m Irrigated Acres