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Operational Water Withdrawal and Consumption Factors for Electricity Generation Technology in China—A Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Jinjing Gao

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Peng Zhao

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Hongwei Zhang

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
    School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin 300287, China)

  • Guozhu Mao

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Yuan Wang

    (School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

As two indispensable resources for human development, energy and water are closely related. China, as the world’s largest consumer of electricity, is also experiencing very serious water shortages. Understanding the water consumption intensity in various types of electric power production technologies according to China’s national conditions is a prerequisite for understanding the potential impact of electrical power production on water resources. Therefore, following the steps of a meta-analysis, this paper provides a literature review on operational water withdrawal and consumption factors for electricity generation technology in China. We observed that 50% of water consumption for electricity generation was for coal power, whereas there was no research on the water consumption intensity of natural gas power generation, and a shortage of studies on water intake during electrical power production. The average water consumption intensity of hydropower is the largest. The results indicate that compared with other fuel types, hydropower is not a sustainable energy with respect to water conservation, and the study of hydropower applications should be improved in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinjing Gao & Peng Zhao & Hongwei Zhang & Guozhu Mao & Yuan Wang, 2018. "Operational Water Withdrawal and Consumption Factors for Electricity Generation Technology in China—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1181-:d:141058
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jin, Yi & Behrens, Paul & Tukker, Arnold & Scherer, Laura, 2019. "Water use of electricity technologies: A global meta-analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. Díaz-Trujillo, Luis Alberto & González-Avilés, Mauricio & Fuentes-Cortés, Luis Fabián, 2024. "Soft-clustering for conflict management around the water-energy-carbon nexus and energy security," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    4. Yang, Qing & Huang, Tianyue & Wang, Saige & Li, Jiashuo & Dai, Shaoqing & Wright, Sebastian & Wang, Yuxuan & Peng, Huaiwu, 2019. "A GIS-based high spatial resolution assessment of large-scale PV generation potential in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 254-269.
    5. Diego Sesma-Martín, 2020. "Cooling Water: A Source of Conflict in Spain, 1970–1980," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Jun Liu & Yuyan Zhou & Lihua Chen & Lichuan Wang, 2023. "Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Water Usage in Typical Industrial Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-18, June.
    7. Linghao Meng & Jusen Asuka, 2022. "Impacts of Energy Transition on Life Cycle Carbon Emission and Water Consumption in Japan’s Electric Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, April.

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