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Olaitan D, Bertagni M, Porporato A. The water footprint of hydrogen production. Sci Total Environ 2024; 927:172384. [PMID: 38604375 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogen (H2) is the most promising energy carrier for reducing the carbon emissions of the energy sector, but the impact of its production on water resources remains unclear. Here, we quantify the water footprint (WF) of different H2 production pathways accounting for the WF of the primary energy used in the production process, as well as feedstock and infrastructure water requirements. Results suggest that green H2 obtained from water electrolysis powered by renewable energy has the lowest WF (65 ± 2 m3/TJ for wind and 204 ± 79 m3/TJ for solar) mostly due to the low WF of renewable energy. The WF of blue H2 derived from fossil fuels is significantly higher (369 ± 30 m3/TJ for natural gas and 564 ± 82 m3/TJ for coal) due to high WF of fossil fuels as well as the water required for carbon capture and storage (CCS). H2 produced from nuclear energy and biomass have extremely high WF (741 ± 277 m3/TJ for nuclear and > 50,000 m3/TJ for biomass). Considering global and country-based energy scenarios, where the main H2 colors (green and blue) individually account for 15 % of energy consumption, we find that the use of green H2 could reduce the water demand of the energy sector while blue H2 would generally increase it, except in countries already characterized by high water consumption due to reliance on water-intensive energy sources. At the global level, we find that for every 5 % of H2 energy adoption, the energy sector could have water savings between 1 and 4 % for green H2 and increase water consumption between 1 and 5 % for blue H2. These results highlight the potential and criticalities of H2 within the water-energy nexus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damola Olaitan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Matteo Bertagni
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; The High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Amilcare Porporato
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; The High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA.
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Quiroz D, Greene JM, Quinn JC. Regionalized Life-Cycle Water Impacts of Microalgal-Based Biofuels in the United States. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:16400-16409. [PMID: 36227213 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
While algal biofuels have the potential to reduce the national reliance on fossil fuels, high water consumption associated with algal biomass cultivation represents a major concern potentially compromising the sustainable commercialization of this technology. This study focuses on quantifying the water footprint (WF) and water scarcity footprint (WSF) of renewable diesel derived from algal biomass and provides insights into where algal cultivation is less water-intensive than traditional ethanol and biodiesel feedstocks. Results are generated with an engineering process model developed to predict the life-cycle water consumption, considering green, blue, and gray water, of algae facilities across the United States at a high spatiotemporal resolution. The total WFs for Florida and Arizona are determined to be 13.1 and 17.6 m3 GJ-1, respectively. The blue WF in Arizona is shown to be 8.5 times larger than in Florida, while the green WF is 4.5 times smaller, but when combined into a total WF, there is just a 26% difference between the two locations. The analysis reveals that the total life-cycle WFs of algal renewable diesel are smaller than the optimal WFs of corn ethanol and soybean biodiesel. Algal systems benefit from higher growth rates and offer the opportunity to manage wastewater streams, therefore generating smaller green and gray WFs than those of conventional biofuels. The WSF analysis identifies the Gulf Coast as the most suitable region for algal cultivation, with cultivation in the western US shown to exacerbate local water stress levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Quiroz
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Colorado State University, 1374 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, United States
| | - Jonah M Greene
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Colorado State University, 1374 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, United States
| | - Jason C Quinn
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Colorado State University, 1374 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522, United States
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Zhao H, Miller TR, Ishii N, Kawasaki A. Global spatio-temporal change assessment in interregional water stress footprint in China by a high resolution MRIO model. Sci Total Environ 2022; 841:156682. [PMID: 35710018 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Developing effective strategies to alleviate increasing water stress in China requires an understanding of how consumption and production drive water stress footprints (WSF) at a high resolution and multiple spatial and temporal scales. However, current Chinese multi-regional input-output (CMRIO) models have limited resolution. Here, we build a high-resolution international MRIO model covering 31 Chinese provinces, 163 sectors, to address this issue, and then analyze the impact of changes in China's interprovincial and international trade patterns on the WSF from 2012 to 2017. We find that China's water stress embodied in inter-provincial trade has increased year after year, to 5606 km3 H2O-eq in 2017, exceeding 50 % of the total domestic footprint. Domestic water stress transfer is most apparent in the outsourcing of water stress from eastern coastal regions to Central and Western regions, with the top interregional supply chain paths mainly associated with the demand of processed rice and tobacco products. China has transformed into a net exporter of water stress in 2017, with water stress exports to developing countries accounting for 54 % of total exports, up from 51 % in 2012. With deepening globalization, trade between China and developing countries has boosted bilateral economic development, while also exacerbating water stress in China. In addition to agricultural cultivation, industrial products such as plastics and steel exported to meet international industries further contribute to water stress in Northern China. Further identify hotspots of water stress consumption is needed to prioritize actions to relieve regional water stress in a more effective manner, and our study can provide key information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhao
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - T Reed Miller
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Naoko Ishii
- Center for Global Commons, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiyuki Kawasaki
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Center for Global Commons, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Summers HM, Quinn JC. Improving water scarcity footprint capabilities in arid regions through expansion of characterization factor methods. Sci Total Environ 2021; 801:149586. [PMID: 34428662 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Water scarcity footprint (WSF) is a recent addition to life cycle assessment methodology that has advanced the understanding of freshwater environmental impact. The Available Water Remaining (AWARE) method is one approach that has gained significant traction in WSF applications. While an effective method for determining WSF, the methodology has limitations that constrain capabilities for determining freshwater environmental impact in arid regions. The primary limitation is the inability to compare regions when more water demand exists than what is available which typically occurs in arid regions. This limitation reduces resolution and therefore decision-making capabilities. This work proposes a novel method for determining WSF in arid regions by capturing and quantifying scarcity when water demand is greater than availability. The approach presented here, called the demand to availability (DTA) method, is intended to be used for small-scale, or subregion analyses in areas where truncation occurs using standard AWARE methods. With the regional specificity, unique characterization factors can be developed to enhance deterministic resolution and ultimately improve decision-making abilities. The DTA methods are presented universally, allowing for application and implementation to any region. A case study was developed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the DTA method by analyzing characterization factors (CFs) and alfalfa WSFs in the arid Southwestern United States. Using the standard AWARE methods, this region originally truncated 38% of counties resulting in zero resolution or decision-making abilities. Results of the case study that used the proposed DTA method show an improved resolution in 100% of these counties, both within CF and alfalfa WSF. Although the proposed method is an improvement for understanding WSFs in arid regions, limitations and constraints still exist and are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey M Summers
- Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Jason C Quinn
- Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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Liosis C, Papadopoulou A, Karvelas E, Karakasidis TE, Sarris IE. Heavy Metal Adsorption Using Magnetic Nanoparticles for Water Purification: A Critical Review. Materials (Basel) 2021; 14:7500. [PMID: 34947096 PMCID: PMC8707578 DOI: 10.3390/ma14247500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Research on contamination of groundwater and drinking water is of major importance. Due to the rapid and significant progress in the last decade in nanotechnology and its potential applications to water purification, such as adsorption of heavy metal ion from contaminated water, a wide number of articles have been published. An evaluating frame of the main findings of recent research on heavy metal removal using magnetic nanoparticles, with emphasis on water quality and method applicability, is presented. A large number of articles have been studied with a focus on the synthesis and characterization procedures for bare and modified magnetic nanoparticles as well as on their adsorption capacity and the corresponding desorption process of the methods are presented. The present review analysis shows that the experimental procedures demonstrate high adsorption capacity for pollutants from aquatic solutions. Moreover, reuse of the employed nanoparticles up to five times leads to an efficiency up to 90%. We must mention also that in some rare occasions, nanoparticles have been reused up to 22 times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Liosis
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38334 Volos, Greece;
| | - Athina Papadopoulou
- Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece;
| | - Evangelos Karvelas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (I.E.S.)
- Condensed Matter Physics Lab, Department of Physics, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, Greece
| | - Theodoros E. Karakasidis
- Condensed Matter Physics Lab, Department of Physics, University of Thessaly, 35100 Lamia, Greece
| | - Ioannis E. Sarris
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece; (E.K.); (I.E.S.)
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Quiroz D, Greene JM, McGowen J, Quinn JC. Geographical assessment of open pond algal productivity and evaporation losses across the United States. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Yang L, Yang Y, Lv H, Wang D, Li Y, He W. Water usage for energy production and supply in China: Decoupled from industrial growth? Sci Total Environ 2020; 719:137278. [PMID: 32114223 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The energy industry, one of the largest water consumers in the socioeconomic system, has been constrained by water scarcity in some areas worldwide. Therefore, decoupling water usage from the energy system is a pressing issue for ensuring energy security and maintaining environmental sustainability. This study applied an input-output analysis and the Tapio decoupling index, which may be considered the first attempt to investigate the decoupling degree between water usage, i.e., the direct water withdrawal for energy production (WWEP) from a production-based perspective and the water footprint for energy supply (WFES) from a consumption-based perspective, and industrial growth for five major energy sectors in China from 2002 to 2015. We found that WWEP was roughly three times higher than WFES for the whole energy industry, and both values underwent a considerable decrease during the study period. Production and supply of electricity and heat (PSEH) contributed most to the total WWEP and WFES, and was mainly responsible for the overall decline. Moreover, WFES exceeded WWEP in Processing of petroleum, coking, and processing of nuclear fuel (PPC) and Production and supply of gas (PSG), whose WEFS values accounted for 36.3% and 12.2%, respectively, of the total WFES in 2015. In terms of the decoupling status, only PSEH achieved strong decoupling in both WWEP and WFES, while PPC and PSG presented a better decoupling performance for WWEP than that for WFES. In contrast, Mining and washing of coal and Extraction of petroleum and natural gas performed relatively worse from both perspectives. These results can help provide a foundation and support for effective water conservation policies from both energy production and energy consumption perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yang
- School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China; Key Laboratory on Resources and Environment Capacity under Ministry of Land and Resources of People's Republic of China, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuantao Yang
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Haodong Lv
- School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Victoria Energy Policy Centre, Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies, The Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Yiming Li
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Weijun He
- Donlinks School of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
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Xu H, Lee U, Coleman AM, Wigmosta MS, Sun N, Hawkins T, Wang M. Balancing Water Sustainability and Productivity Objectives in Microalgae Cultivation: Siting Open Ponds by Considering Seasonal Water-Stress Impact Using AWARE-US. Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:2091-2102. [PMID: 31976664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae have great potential as an energy and feed resource. Here we evaluate the water use associated with freshwater algae cultivation and find it is possible to scale U.S. algae biofuel production to 20.8 billion liters of renewable diesel annually without significant water-stress impact. Among potential sites, water-stress is significantly more variable than algae productivity across location and season. Thus, it is possible to reduce water-stress impact, quantified as water scarcity footprint, through the choice of algae site location. We test three site-selection criteria based on (1) biomass productivity, (2) water-use efficiency, and (3) water-stress impact and find that adding water-stress constraints to productivity-based ranking of suitable sites reduces water-stress impact by 97% and water consumption by half, compared with biomass-productivity ranking alone, with little productivity impact (<1.7% per-site on average). With 20.8 billion liters, algae could meet 19.7% of U.S. jet fuel demand with a freshwater demand of less than 1.4% of U.S. irrigation consumption. Evaluating water-stress impact is important because the impact of unit water consumption on water stress varies significantly across regions and seasons. Considering seasonal water balances allows producers to understand the combined seasonal effects of hydrologic flows and productivity, thereby avoiding potential short-term water stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xu
- Systems Assessment Group, Energy Systems Division , Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 South Cass Avenue , Lemont , Illinois 60439 , United States
| | - Uisung Lee
- Systems Assessment Group, Energy Systems Division , Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 South Cass Avenue , Lemont , Illinois 60439 , United States
| | - André M Coleman
- Hydrology Technical Group, Earth Systems Science Division , Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Boulevard , Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
| | - Mark S Wigmosta
- Hydrology Technical Group, Earth Systems Science Division , Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Boulevard , Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
| | - Ning Sun
- Hydrology Technical Group, Earth Systems Science Division , Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Boulevard , Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
| | - Troy Hawkins
- Systems Assessment Group, Energy Systems Division , Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 South Cass Avenue , Lemont , Illinois 60439 , United States
| | - Michael Wang
- Systems Assessment Group, Energy Systems Division , Argonne National Laboratory , 9700 South Cass Avenue , Lemont , Illinois 60439 , United States
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Xu H, Lee U, Coleman AM, Wigmosta MS, Wang M. Assessment of algal biofuel resource potential in the United States with consideration of regional water stress. ALGAL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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