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Sustainable Water-Energy Nexus towards Developing Countries’ Water Sector Efficiency

Author

Listed:
  • Helena M. Ramos

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources, CERIS, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Jorge G. Morillo

    (Department of Agronomy, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain)

  • Juan A. Rodríguez Diaz

    (Department of Agronomy, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain)

  • Armando Carravetta

    (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Aonghus McNabola

    (Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland)

Abstract

Water management and energy recovery can improve a system’s sustainability and efficiency in a cost-effective solution. This research assesses the renewable energy sources used in the water sector, as well as the related water sector performance indicators within Portuguese water management systems. A deep analysis of 432 water entities in Portugal, based on ERSAR data base, was conducted in order to identify factors to be improved regarding the system efficiency. On the other hand, the potential energy recovery developed in the REDAWN project was also used as a reference for the application of micro hydropower (MHP) solutions in the water sector. A water and energy nexus model was then developed to improve the systems efficiency and sustainability. A real case study in Africa, the Nampula water supply system, located in Mozambique, was selected as a promising potential for energy recovery. The application of a pump-as-turbine (PAT) allows the reduction in system costs and environmental impacts while increasing its efficiency. The proposed MHP has a capacity to generate ~23 MWh/year, providing significant savings. The developed economic analysis indicates the project is profitable, with an IRR ~40% depending on the energy selling price. This project can avoid the emission of more than 12 tCO 2 to the atmosphere, and it can help to reduce the system’s real losses by more than 10,000 m 3 /year. Consequently, it creates a total economic benefit of 7604 EUR/year.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena M. Ramos & Jorge G. Morillo & Juan A. Rodríguez Diaz & Armando Carravetta & Aonghus McNabola, 2021. "Sustainable Water-Energy Nexus towards Developing Countries’ Water Sector Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:12:p:3525-:d:574466
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Crespo Chacón, Miguel & Rodríguez Díaz, Juan Antonio & García Morillo, Jorge & McNabola, Aonghus, 2020. "Estimating regional potential for micro-hydropower energy recovery in irrigation networks on a large geographical scale," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 396-406.
    2. Lydon, Tracey & Coughlan, Paul & McNabola, Aonghus, 2017. "Pressure management and energy recovery in water distribution networks: Development of design and selection methodologies using three pump-as-turbine case studies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(PB), pages 1038-1050.
    3. Nogueira Vilanova, Mateus Ricardo & Perrella Balestieri, José Antônio, 2014. "Energy and hydraulic efficiency in conventional water supply systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 701-714.
    4. Crespo Chacón, Miguel & Rodríguez Díaz, Juan Antonio & García Morillo, Jorge & McNabola, Aonghus, 2020. "Hydropower energy recovery in irrigation networks: Validation of a methodology for flow prediction and pump as turbine selection," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1728-1738.
    5. L. Araujo & H. Ramos & S. Coelho, 2006. "Pressure Control for Leakage Minimisation in Water Distribution Systems Management," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 20(1), pages 133-149, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fatemeh Bayat & Abbas Roozbahani & Seied Mehdy Hashemy Shahdany, 2022. "Performance Evaluation of Agricultural Surface Water Distribution Systems Based on Water-food-energy Nexus and Using AHP-Entropy-WASPAS Technique," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 36(12), pages 4697-4720, September.
    2. Stefanizzi, M. & Filannino, D. & Capurso, T. & Camporeale, S.M. & Torresi, M., 2023. "Optimal hydraulic energy harvesting strategy for PaT installation in Water Distribution Networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
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    4. Elena Helerea & Marius D. Calin & Cristian Musuroi, 2023. "Water Energy Nexus and Energy Transition—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-31, February.
    5. Miguel Castro Oliveira & Muriel Iten & Henrique A. Matos, 2022. "Review on Water and Energy Integration in Process Industry: Water-Heat Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, June.

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