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Localizing the Water-Energy Nexus: The Relationship between Solar Thermal Power Plants and Future Developments in Local Water Demand

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  • Julia Terrapon-Pfaff

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Sibel Raquel Ersoy

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Thomas Fink

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Sarra Amroune

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • El Mostafa Jamea

    (Mena Renewables and Sustainability (MENARES), 20003 Casablanca, Morocco)

  • Hsaine Zgou

    (Polydisciplinary Faculty of Ouarzazate, Ibn Zohr University, 80000 Agadir, Morocco)

  • Peter Viebahn

    (Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

Abstract

Water availability plays an important role in the expansion planning of utility-scale solar power plants, especially in the arid regions of the Middle East and North Africa. Although these power plants usually account for only a small fraction of local water demand, competition for water resources between communities, farmers, companies, and power suppliers is already emerging and is likely to intensify in future. Despite this, to date there has been a lack of comprehensive studies analyzing interdependencies and potential conflicts between energy and water at local level. This study addresses this research gap and examines the linkages between water resources and energy technologies at local level based on a case study conducted in Ouarzazate, Morocco, where one of the largest solar power complexes in the world was recently completed. To better understand the challenges faced by the region in light of increased water demand and diminishing water supply, a mixed-method research design was applied to integrate the knowledge of local stakeholders through a series of workshops. In a first step, regional socio-economic water demand scenarios were developed and, in a second step, water saving measures to avoid critical development pathways were systematically evaluated using a participatory multi-criteria evaluation approach. The results are a set of water demand scenarios for the region and a preferential ranking of water saving measures that could be drawn upon to support decision-making relating to energy and water development in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Terrapon-Pfaff & Sibel Raquel Ersoy & Thomas Fink & Sarra Amroune & El Mostafa Jamea & Hsaine Zgou & Peter Viebahn, 2020. "Localizing the Water-Energy Nexus: The Relationship between Solar Thermal Power Plants and Future Developments in Local Water Demand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2020:i:1:p:108-:d:467674
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    References listed on IDEAS

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