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Can renewable energy technologies improve the management of stressed water resources threatened by climate change? Argentine drylands case study

Author

Listed:
  • Gustavo Nadal
  • Gonzalo Bravo
  • Leonidas Girardin
  • Sebastián Gortari

Abstract

This work addresses increasing concerns about water management for rural productive activities in the vast dry regions of Latin America by assessing renewable energy technologies (RETs) that could be suitable for localized needs. Forecasted trends in climate change and variability make this analysis very relevant, in an area where very little published work exists. While Argentina is widely known for its fertile pampas, around 75 % of the country consists of dry lands. In addition, erosion is increasing by up to 650,000 hectares each year. The coordinated adoption of a set of actions, including land use planning and strengthening productive activities that guarantee access to water and improve water and soil management is needed. Renewable energies could help towards achieving these aims, if water is made available at affordable costs and with suitable technologies. This paper evaluates experiences with three RETs—photovoltaic pumping from deep wells, small wind turbine pumping, and high-power wind turbines, and discusses a potential role for use in rural Argentina. Although cheaper and more reliable renewable alternatives to energy sources such as diesel could be used for pumping from groundwater resources in isolated locations, limitations arise when pumping head and/or water volume requirements are large or highly seasonal. The cost increases and technical challenges of accessing this deeper water, as indicated by case studies, emphasize the importance of planning and support schemes development. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Gustavo Nadal & Gonzalo Bravo & Leonidas Girardin & Sebastián Gortari, 2013. "Can renewable energy technologies improve the management of stressed water resources threatened by climate change? Argentine drylands case study," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1079-1097, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:15:y:2013:i:4:p:1079-1097
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-012-9427-8
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bansal, Sanchita & Singh, Shifali & Nangia, Priya, 2022. "Assessing the role of natural resource utilization in attaining select sustainable development goals in the era of digitalization," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Agüero Alcaras, L. Martín & Rousseaux, M. Cecilia & Searles, Peter S., 2021. "Yield and water productivity responses of olive trees (cv. Manzanilla) to post-harvest deficit irrigation in a non-Mediterranean climate," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    3. Sofien Tiba & Fateh Belaid, 2021. "Modeling The Nexus Between Sustainable Development And Renewable Energy: The African Perspectives," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(1), pages 307-329, February.

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