Research Motivation

Clean energy and water are two essential resources that any society must securely deliver. Their usage raises sustainability issues and questions of nations’ resilience in face of global changes and mega-trends such as population growth, global climate change and economic growth. Traditionally, the infrastructure systems that deliver these precious commodities, the water distribution and power transmission networks are thought of as separate, uncoupled systems. However, in reality, they are very much coupled in what is commonly known as the energy-water nexus.

This hydrogen-energy-water nexus has been studied predominantly on two levels. Numerous governmental and regulatory agencies have discussed policy options supported by data surveys and technological considerations. At a technological level, there have been attempts to optimize coupling points between the electricity and water systems to reduce the water intensity of technologies in the former and the energy intensity of technologies in the latter. In contrast, there has been little discussion of the hydrogen-energy-water nexus from a convergent engineering systems perspective. 

We have made contributions in three areas:

For further details, please explore the LIINES Publication Repository. 

Thought Leadership

Towards a Shared Integrated Grid in New England’s Energy Water Nexus (2019): Led by Dr. Steffi Muhanji, this work advocates for a “Shared Integrated Grid” as a means of managing New England’s emerging energy-water nexus. 

Opportunities for Energy-Water Nexus Management in the Middle East and North Africa (2016): This literature-based study, the LIINES discusses some of the recent energy-water nexus trends facing the MENA region and then highlights several opportunities for their management.

Extending the Energy‐Water Nexus Reference Architecture to the Sustainable Development of Agriculture, Industry & Commerce (2016):  In this work, the LIINES extends the energy-water nexus reference architecture to consider agricultural, industrial, commercial and residential sectors.  In so doing, it presents a pathway for sustainable development policy that integrates industrial policy with infrastructure planning. 

Extending the Utility Analysis and Integration Model at the Energy Water Nexus (2015):  As we seek to solve increasingly complex infrastructure challenges which span multiple sectors (water, wastewater, energy, solid waste, etc.), the UAIM provides a means of enterprise modeling and ultimately reconciling cross-sector perspectives.   

The Role of Resource Efficient Decentralized Wastewater Treatment in Smart Cities (2015):  As urbanization continues as a global mega-trend, energy-efficient, decentralized wastewater treatment facilities can play an integral role in meeting demand and providing water recycle and reuse at the point of use. 

The Stabilizing Role of the Energy-Water Nexus (2014): While many may view the energy-water nexus as a coupled challenge, it also presents synergies with regards to stabilizing the ever evolving power grid.

A Reference System Architecture for the Energy-Water Nexus (2014): Led by Dr. William Lubega, this work developed a SysML model of the energy-water nexus for a generic region so that it may be readily instantiated for region specific case studies.

Additionally, we have written several blog posts specifically on the topic of Energy-Water Nexus @ the LIINES.

Design & Analysis Methods

An Enterprise Control Methodology for the Techno-Economic Assessment of the Energy Water Nexus (2019): Led by Dr. Steffi Muhanji, this work describes how an energy-water nexus can be assessed for technical reliability, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

The Synergistic Role of Renewable Energy Integration into the Unit Commitment of the Energy Water Nexus (2017): Led by William Hickman, this work demonstrates that as renewable energy is integrated into an energy water nexus, it reduces operating costs, carbon emissions, and water use.

Quantitative Engineering Systems Model and Analysis of the Energy-Water Nexus (2014): Led by Dr. William Lubega, this work extended the SysML model to provide a quantitative input-output flows of all power and water flows in an energy-water nexus.

The Impact of Storage Facility Capacity and Ramping Capabilities on the Supply Side of the Energy-Water Nexus (2014): Led by Apoorva Santhosh, this work demonstrates the positive impacts of energy and water storage facilities not just in their own sector but also their ability to alleviate binding constraints across sectors.

Real‐Time Economic Dispatch for the Supply Side of the Energy‐Water Nexus (2014): In concert with the LIINES Energy-Water Nexus Research Theme, and led by Apoorva Santhosh, this work develops market dispatch techniques that account for the dual products of power and water given the coupling role of co-production facilities such as MSF desalination.

Case Studies

An Enterprise Control Assessment Case Study of the Energy-Water Nexus for the ISO New England System (2021): Led by Steffi Muhanji, this work conducts an energy-water nexus study of the New England region to show that energy-water resource when managed holistically can provide synergistic benefits.

Further case studies can be found in the smart power grid, electrified transportations system, and smart cities, regions, and nations research themes.