Journal
ENERGY
Volume 96, Issue -, Pages 286-293Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.12.079
Keywords
Coal-fired power; Water demand for energy; Water-limited development; Energy-water synergy; Conciliation of conflicting policies
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [51579248, 51109112, 51522907, 51309249]
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering [2015-B-03]
- State Key Lab of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science [2014SWG03]
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin [IWHR-SKL-201517]
- CRSRI [CKWV2014224/KY]
- China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research [WR0145B02201500000]
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Coal is China's most important primary energy source, and is supporting the rapid economic growth going on there. However, the reverse geographical distribution of coal production and consumption results in a high cost of coal transportation and low efficiency of coal utilization. To ease the pressure on coal transportation, and to mitigate pollution in eastern coastal regions, China has kicked off a strategic west east transfer of energy industries that requires the movement of coal power projects to the arid northwest regions. Under this strategic framework, the regulation is focused on clean production, consumption reduction and reuse, rather than conservation and protection of water resources. This study found that the northwest areas are unable to accommodate fully the planned scale of coal-fired power industry. Moreover, the subsidiary chemical industry, even if the scale of electric power development is determined according to the need for coal production, is problematic because the current water demand for the coal industry has exceeded allowed water withdrawal. Given limited water saving potential and the huge demand-and-supply gap, it is also unrealistic to balance water demand by combination of water conservation in the power industry and water right diversion from agriculture. This study on the synergies between energy and water is urgently needed, in order to provide scientific and technological support for laying out new energy industries. A critical change should involve conciliation of conflicting policies or plans before implementation begins. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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