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Understanding water-energy-food and ecosystem interactions using the nexus simulation tool NexSym

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  • Martinez-Hernandez, Elias
  • Leach, Matthew
  • Yang, Aidong

Abstract

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus concept highlights the importance of integrative solutions that secure resource supplies and meet demands sustainably. There is a need for translating the nexus concept into clear frameworks and tools that can be applied to decision making. A simulation and analytics framework, and a concomitant Nexus Simulation System (NexSym) is presented here. NexSym advances the state-of-the-art in nexus tools by explicit dynamic modelling of local techno-ecological interactions relevant to WEF operations. The modular tool integrates models for ecosystems, WEF production and consumption components and allows the user to build, simulate and analyse a “flowsheet” of a local system. This enables elucidation of critical interactions and gaining knowledge and understanding that supports innovative solutions by balancing resource supply and demand and increasing synergies between components, while maintaining ecosystems. NexSym allowed assessment of the synergistic design of a local nexus system in a UK eco-town. The design improved local nutrient balance and meets 100% of electricity demand, while achieving higher carbon capture and biomass provisioning, higher water reuse and food production, however with a remarkable impact on land use.

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  • Martinez-Hernandez, Elias & Leach, Matthew & Yang, Aidong, 2017. "Understanding water-energy-food and ecosystem interactions using the nexus simulation tool NexSym," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1009-1021.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:206:y:2017:i:c:p:1009-1021
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.09.022
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    13. Chen, Pi-Cheng & Alvarado, Valeria & Hsu, Shu-Chien, 2018. "Water energy nexus in city and hinterlands: Multi-regional physical input-output analysis for Hong Kong and South China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 986-997.
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    15. Huang, Daohan & Li, Guijun & Chang, Yuan & Sun, Chengshuang, 2023. "Water, energy, and food nexus efficiency in China: A provincial assessment using a three-stage data envelopment analysis model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    16. Wu, Wentao & Beretta, Claudio & Cronje, Paul & Hellweg, Stefanie & Defraeye, Thijs, 2019. "Environmental trade-offs in fresh-fruit cold chains by combining virtual cold chains with life cycle assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    17. Hasanzadeh Saray, Marzieh & Baubekova, Aziza & Gohari, Alireza & Eslamian, Seyed Saeid & Klove, Bjorn & Torabi Haghighi, Ali, 2022. "Optimization of Water-Energy-Food Nexus considering CO2 emissions from cropland: A case study in northwest Iran," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    18. Zhou, Yanlai & Chang, Li-Chiu & Uen, Tin-Shuan & Guo, Shenglian & Xu, Chong-Yu & Chang, Fi-John, 2019. "Prospect for small-hydropower installation settled upon optimal water allocation: An action to stimulate synergies of water-food-energy nexus," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 668-682.
    19. Bazzana, Davide & Gilioli, Gianni & Simane, Belay & Zaitchik, Benjamin, 2021. "Analyzing constraints in the water-energy-food nexus: The case of eucalyptus plantation in Ethiopia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    20. Ahmad, Shakeel & Jia, Haifeng & Chen, Zhengxia & Li, Qian & Xu, Changqing, 2020. "Water-energy nexus and energy efficiency: A systematic analysis of urban water systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    21. Amir Molajou & Parsa Pouladi & Abbas Afshar, 2021. "Incorporating Social System into Water-Food-Energy Nexus," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 35(13), pages 4561-4580, October.
    22. Abbas Afshar & Elham Soleimanian & Hossein Akbari Variani & Masoud Vahabzadeh & Amir Molajou, 2022. "The conceptual framework to determine interrelations and interactions for holistic Water, Energy, and Food Nexus," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(8), pages 10119-10140, August.
    23. Lei, Shunbo & Pozo, David & Wang, Ming-Hao & Li, Qifeng & Li, Yupeng & Peng, Chaoyi, 2022. "Power economic dispatch against extreme weather conditions: The price of resilience," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
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