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Multiple metrics for quantifying the intensity of water consumption of energy production

Multiple metrics for quantifying the intensity of water consumption of energy production

Full Title:  Multiple metrics for quantifying the intensity of water consumption of energy production
Author(s):  E S Spang, W R Moomaw, K S Gallagher, P H Kirshen, and D H Marks
Publisher(s): Environmental Research Letters
Publication Date: October 1, 2014
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

Discussion of the environmental implications of worldwide energy demand is currently dominated by the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on global climate. At the regional scale, however, water resource challenges associated with energy systems are a growing concern. This paper, based on an inventory of national energy portfolios, posits an indicator-based framework for characterizing regional energy portfolios’ relative water intensity. These calculations extend upon a previous paper that established a method for calculating the national water consumption of energy production (WCEP) at the global level. Intensity indicators are based on normalizing the WCEP results with a set of additional indicators (including population, gross domestic product, total energy production, and regional water availability).

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