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

Wang, Like and Fan, Yee Van and Varbanov, Petar Sabev and Wan Alwi, Sharifah Rafidah and Klemes, Jiri Jaromir (2020) Water footprints and virtual water flows embodied in the power supply chain. Water (Switzerland), 12 (11). pp. 1-21. ISSN 2073-4441

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w12113006

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.

Item Type:Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:power supply chain, power trade, power-water nexus, virtual water, water footprint
Subjects:T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Divisions:Chemical and Energy Engineering
ID Code:28986
Deposited By: Yanti Mohd Shah
Deposited On:07 Dec 2012 00:30
Last Modified:31 Jan 2022 08:38

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