The energy-water nexus, that interweaving of two critical elements for a healthy civilization, is a very big deal as we continue to figure out how to live “measured lives on a managed planet”.[1] Thanks to a Google alert I just found out about a report concerning the Great Lakes and the energy-water nexus that was published in April 2009, The Energy-Water Nexus: Implications for the Great Lakes [8 page PDF]:
Energy and water are inextricably linked (See Figure 1). While this linkage is not unique to the Great Lakes region, the region’s vast supply of freshwater make it particularly attractive for water-intensive energy production and potentially competing demands on Great Lakes water resources. Within the Great Lakes basin, the largest source of energy comes from thermoelectric power sources, which have historically required large amounts of water. Projected long term demographic shifts and economic growth coupled with the threat of global climate change and mounting pressure for greater U.S. energy security, will demand additional power generation capacity to meet our energy needs. A large part of that additional power generation is expected to come from electricity. Already, a host of new products, from electric lawnmowers to cars that run on electricity, are gaining a greater foothold in the marketplace. Similarly, biofuels such as ethanol are being refined from corn and cellulosic biomass to fuel flex-fuel vehicles, a process which also requires large amounts of water. Because of the important role of water in energy production, the additional demand for domestic energy has significant potential to put increasing pressure on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, which represent 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water and 90 percent of the U.S. freshwater supply.
This paper describes the interdependence of energy and water-the amount of energy needed to provide water for various uses and, conversely, the amount of water needed to produce different kinds of energy, with a focus on electric power. It also calls attention to the need for greater coordination of institutions and policies to ensure sustainable development of energy and water resources that does not compromise the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
For those wanting a little background on the Lakes, the Wikipedia entry is a good place to start.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of being near or on one of the Lakes, I can assure you they’re amazing. Ontario looks like a vast inland sea it’s so big, and in terms of surface area–a mere 7,540 square miles–it’s the smallest of the five Lakes. Superior, easily one of the most accurately named bodies of water on the planet, checks in at 31,820 square miles.
[Thanks to CG for pointing out the typo in the above text. Ontario is 7,540, not 7.540, square miles. D'oh!]
[1] This really should be the energy-water-climate nexus, because warming reduces the availability of water for cooling thermoelectric plants plus raises the demand for air conditioning.
