Applying the Water-Energy Nexus for Water Supply—A Diagnostic Review on Energy Use for Water Provision in Africa

Abstract

This work explores the application of the Water-Energy Nexus concept for water supply in the African context, where its operationalization is quite limited compared to developed regions. Furthermore, water supply and demand drivers and their influence on energy use are examined. This study found that there is limited literature available on the operationalization of the concept, and energy use is not considered a key performance indicator by water regulators and utilities. Regionally, most of the studies were carried out in the northern and southern Africa, where energy demand for water supply through desalination is high. An analysis of water supply and demand drivers show diminishing quantities of available freshwater, and increased anthropogenic pollutant loads in some areas are projected. Consequently, utilities will likely consider alternative energy-intensive water supply options. Increased population growth with the highest global urban growth rate is projected, with about 60% of the total population in Africa as urban dwellers by 2050. This implies huge growth in water demand that calls for investment in technology, infrastructure, and improved understanding of energy use and optimization, as the largest controllable input within utilities boundaries. However, it requires a data-driven understanding of the operational drivers for water supply and incorporation of energy assessment metrics to inform water-energy policies and to exploit the nexus opportunities.

Complexities of the urban drinking water systems in Ethiopia and possible interventions for sustainability

“…Furthermore, the case study results showed comparatively low and high water loss percentages in Mekelle and Dire Dawa cities, with nearly 35% and 43%, respectively, as presented in Table 3 . Even though the estimated water loss in the cities is significantly high, the value is less than the average NRW of the national level of 43% estimated by Macharia et al ( 2020 ). However, the estimated percentage of NRW in cities (case study) is in the range of 30 to 60% of SSA countries (Macharia et al, 2020 ), and the reported water loss was significantly high compared to a developed country, which ranges from 15 to 30% (Bridges and MacDonal, 1994 ).…”

“…Even though the estimated water loss in the cities is significantly high, the value is less than the average NRW of the national level of 43% estimated by Macharia et al ( 2020 ). However, the estimated percentage of NRW in cities (case study) is in the range of 30 to 60% of SSA countries (Macharia et al, 2020 ), and the reported water loss was significantly high compared to a developed country, which ranges from 15 to 30% (Bridges and MacDonal, 1994 ). Water loss in those cities may result from unauthorized consumption, customer metering inaccuracies, data handling errors, unbilled authorized consumption, and actual losses/leakages.…”

U.S. national water and energy land dataset for integrated multisector dynamics research

“…Through the lens of EWL, MSD research examines natural human-environmental system coupling, measures dependencies, and evaluates tradeoffs in resources amongst the various economic sectors 1 . Considerable attention has been devoted solely to evaluating critical interdependencies or tradeoffs within the energy-water nexus, such as studies on thermoelectric water use 2 , drinking water supply and distribution 3 and wastewater treatment 4 . Although energy and water are critical components of the economy and society, both elements are highly dependent upon land 5 .…”

Data-driven appraisal of renewable energy potentials for sustainable freshwater production in Africa

“…The second problem exacerbated by rapid development and population growth in Africa is the clean water scarcity. Several previous works have discussed water scarcity and its consequences in Africa at both regional [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and continental [17][18][19][20][21][22] scales. At the time of writing, a stable supply of drinkable water is not guaranteed to 319 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Millennium Development Goals related to sanitation have not been met by any Sub-Saharan African country [23].…”