IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i18p8418-d1753780.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Water Microgrids as a Hybrid Water Supply System: Review of Definitions, Research, and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Arif Hasnat

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA)

  • Binod Ale Magar

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA)

  • Amirmahdi Ghanaatikashani

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA)

  • Kriti Acharya

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA)

  • Sangmin Shin

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA)

Abstract

Hybrid water supply systems (WSSs) integrating centralized and decentralized water systems have gained increasing interest in recent years to enhance water service sustainability and system resilience. An example of implementing hybrid WSSs is water microgrids, inspired by energy microgrids. Water microgrids can be depicted as a network (grid) of localized networks (sub-grids) comprising local water sources and their storage and distribution systems that operate in conjunction with a central WSS. They can operate in both ‘grid-connected or ‘islanded’ mode and support interaction and demand trade-offs with centralized WSSs at varying degrees of decentralization, providing flexibility and increased control over water resources. However, the concept of water microgrids is still in its infancy, and their application is limited due to a lack of design guidance and frameworks. This paper provides a comprehensive review of water microgrids, discussing the concept, design, benefits, and potential challenges by drawing insights from energy microgrids, and also discusses the standpoint in comparison with centralized, decentralized, and hybrid WSSs. It also explores integration of decentralized and hybrid infrastructure within existing WSSs, highlighting the balance between localized optimization and systemwide sustainability. The findings aim to broaden understanding of water microgrids, assessing their applicability and operational strategies in urban settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Arif Hasnat & Binod Ale Magar & Amirmahdi Ghanaatikashani & Kriti Acharya & Sangmin Shin, 2025. "Water Microgrids as a Hybrid Water Supply System: Review of Definitions, Research, and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-37, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8418-:d:1753780
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/18/8418/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/18/8418/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhang, Yan & Fu, Lijun & Zhu, Wanlu & Bao, Xianqiang & Liu, Cang, 2018. "Robust model predictive control for optimal energy management of island microgrids with uncertainties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1229-1241.
    2. M. D. Guenov & S. G. Barker, 2005. "Application of axiomatic design and design structure matrix to the decomposition of engineering systems," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 29-40.
    3. Soshinskaya, Mariya & Crijns-Graus, Wina H.J. & Guerrero, Josep M. & Vasquez, Juan C., 2014. "Microgrids: Experiences, barriers and success factors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 659-672.
    4. Snyder, Hannah, 2019. "Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 333-339.
    5. Husein, Munir & Chung, Il-Yop, 2018. "Optimal design and financial feasibility of a university campus microgrid considering renewable energy incentives," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 273-289.
    6. Antoine Boche & Clément Foucher & Luiz Fernando Lavado Villa, 2022. "Understanding Microgrid Sustainability: A Systemic and Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-29, April.
    7. Zhang, Wei & Valencia, Andrea & Gu, Lixing & Zheng, Qipeng P. & Chang, Ni-Bin, 2020. "Integrating emerging and existing renewable energy technologies into a community-scale microgrid in an energy-water nexus for resilience improvement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    8. Binod Ale Magar & Arif Hasnat & Amirmahdi Ghanaatikashani & Kriti Acharya & Sangmin Shin, 2025. "Laboratory Testing of Resilience Effects of Water Microgrids for Sustainable Water Supply," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-19, April.
    9. Hotaling, Chelsea & Bird, Stephen & Heintzelman, Martin D., 2021. "Willingness to pay for microgrids to enhance community resilience," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    10. Bhatraj, Anudeep & Salomons, Elad & Housh, Mashor, 2024. "An optimization model for simultaneous design and operation of renewable energy microgrids integrated with water supply systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 361(C).
    11. Mishra, Sakshi & Anderson, Kate & Miller, Brian & Boyer, Kyle & Warren, Adam, 2020. "Microgrid resilience: A holistic approach for assessing threats, identifying vulnerabilities, and designing corresponding mitigation strategies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    12. Rebekah Brown & Richard Ashley & Megan Farrelly, 2011. "Political and Professional Agency Entrapment: An Agenda for Urban Water Research," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(15), pages 4037-4050, December.
    13. Bouzid, Allal M. & Guerrero, Josep M. & Cheriti, Ahmed & Bouhamida, Mohamed & Sicard, Pierre & Benghanem, Mustapha, 2015. "A survey on control of electric power distributed generation systems for microgrid applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 751-766.
    14. Maryati, Sri & Firman, Tommy & Humaira, An Nisaa Siti, 2022. "A sustainability assessment of decentralized water supply systems in Bandung City, Indonesia," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    15. Zhenghong Tang & Ligang Zhang & Fuhai Xu & Hung Vo, 2015. "Examining the role of social media in California’s drought risk management in 2014," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 79(1), pages 171-193, October.
    16. Shuiabi, Eyas & Thomson, Vince & Bhuiyan, Nadia, 2005. "Entropy as a measure of operational flexibility," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(3), pages 696-707, September.
    17. Magnus Moglia & Stephen Cook & Ashok Sharma & Stewart Burn, 2011. "Assessing Decentralised Water Solutions: Towards a Framework for Adaptive Learning," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(1), pages 217-238, January.
    18. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2010. "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 84(2), pages 523-538, August.
    19. Das, Choton K. & Bass, Octavian & Kothapalli, Ganesh & Mahmoud, Thair S. & Habibi, Daryoush, 2018. "Overview of energy storage systems in distribution networks: Placement, sizing, operation, and power quality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1205-1230.
    20. Alberto Ruiz-Villaverde & Miguel A. García-Rubio, 2017. "Public Participation in European Water Management: from Theory to Practice," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(8), pages 2479-2495, June.
    21. Fossati, Juan P. & Galarza, Ainhoa & Martín-Villate, Ander & Fontán, Luis, 2015. "A method for optimal sizing energy storage systems for microgrids," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 539-549.
    22. Yoo, Do Guen & Kang, Doosun & Kim, Joong Hoon, 2016. "Optimal design of water supply networks for enhancing seismic reliability," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 79-88.
    23. Yoldaş, Yeliz & Önen, Ahmet & Muyeen, S.M. & Vasilakos, Athanasios V. & Alan, İrfan, 2017. "Enhancing smart grid with microgrids: Challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 205-214.
    24. Mazzola, Simone & Astolfi, Marco & Macchi, Ennio, 2015. "A detailed model for the optimal management of a multigood microgrid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 862-873.
    25. Nancey Green Leigh & Heonyeong Lee, 2019. "Sustainable and Resilient Urban Water Systems: The Role of Decentralization and Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, February.
    26. Sulman Shahzad & Muhammad Abbas Abbasi & Hassan Ali & Muhammad Iqbal & Rania Munir & Heybet Kilic, 2023. "Possibilities, Challenges, and Future Opportunities of Microgrids: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-28, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mohamed G. Moh Almihat & Josiah L. Munda, 2025. "The Role of Smart Grid Technologies in Urban and Sustainable Energy Planning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-30, March.
    2. Norouzi, Farshid & Hoppe, Thomas & Elizondo, Laura Ramirez & Bauer, Pavol, 2022. "A review of socio-technical barriers to Smart Microgrid development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Jose L. López-Prado & Jorge I. Vélez & Guisselle A. Garcia-Llinás, 2020. "Reliability Evaluation in Distribution Networks with Microgrids: Review and Classification of the Literature," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-31, November.
    4. Aleksandra Kuzior & Mariya Sira, 2025. "Sustainable Digital Economy Transformation Through Intelligent Automation: A Multi-Environmental Framework for Strategic Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-27, August.
    5. Romeo Danielis & Mariangela Scorrano & Manuela Masutti & Asees Muhammad Awan & Arsalan Muhammad Khan Niazi, 2024. "Fuel Cell Electric Buses: A Systematic Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Jeziel Vázquez & Elias J. J. Rodriguez & Jaime Arau & Nimrod Vázquez, 2021. "A di/dt Detection Circuit for DC Unidirectional Breaker Based on Inductor Transient Behaviour," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    7. Esther Calderon-Monge & Domingo Ribeiro-Soriano, 2024. "The role of digitalization in business and management: a systematic literature review," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 449-491, February.
    8. N. Calderón-Rivera & I. Bartusevičienė & F. Ballini, 2024. "Sustainable development of inland waterways transport: a review," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Maria Elena Latino & Marta Menegoli & Martina De Giovanni, 2021. "Evaluating the Sustainability Dimensions in the Food Supply Chain: Literature Review and Research Routes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-25, October.
    10. Md Abu Helal & Nathaniel Anderson & Yu Wei & Matthew Thompson, 2023. "A Review of Biomass-to-Bioenergy Supply Chain Research Using Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-32, January.
    11. Marcelo Werneck Barbosa, 2022. "A Critical Appraisal of Review Studies in Circular Economy: a Tertiary Study," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(2), pages 473-505, June.
    12. Matthew Gough & Sérgio F. Santos & Mohammed Javadi & Rui Castro & João P. S. Catalão, 2020. "Prosumer Flexibility: A Comprehensive State-of-the-Art Review and Scientometric Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-32, May.
    13. Agnieszka Nowaczek & Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Agnieszka Makara, 2025. "Ecological Innovations Supporting Sustainable Development: The Case of the Polish Tire Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-18, August.
    14. Romeo Danielis & Mariangela Scorrano & Manuela Masutti & Asees Muhammad Awan & Arsalan Muhammad Khan Niazi, 2024. "The Economic Competitiveness of Hydrogen Fuel Cell-Powered Trucks: A Review of Total Cost of Ownership Estimates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-19, May.
    15. Mohseni, Soheil & Brent, Alan C. & Kelly, Scott & Browne, Will N., 2022. "Demand response-integrated investment and operational planning of renewable and sustainable energy systems considering forecast uncertainties: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    16. Kayode Ebenezer Ojo & Akshay Kumar Saha & Viranjay Mohan Srivastava, 2025. "Microgrids’ Control Strategies and Real-Time Monitoring Systems: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-34, July.
    17. Gabriel Nasser Doyle de Doile & Paulo Rotella Junior & Luiz Célio Souza Rocha & Ivan Bolis & Karel Janda & Luiz Moreira Coelho Junior, 2021. "Hybrid Wind and Solar Photovoltaic Generation with Energy Storage Systems: A Systematic Literature Review and Contributions to Technical and Economic Regulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-22, October.
    18. Lydia Novoszel & Tina Wakolbinger, 2022. "Meta-analysis of Supply Chain Disruption Research," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 1-25, March.
    19. Kaczmarski, Jesse I., 2022. "Public support for community microgrid services," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    20. Hafiz Abdul Muqeet & Hafiz Mudassir Munir & Haseeb Javed & Muhammad Shahzad & Mohsin Jamil & Josep M. Guerrero, 2021. "An Energy Management System of Campus Microgrids: State-of-the-Art and Future Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-34, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8418-:d:1753780. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.