Analysis of water resource benefits due to power grid interconnections using the virtual water method

摘要

The global water demand and supply situation is becoming increasingly severe due to water shortage and uneven distribution of water resources. The highest water demand in the energy sector is attributable to power generation. With cross-country and cross-continental power grid interconnections becoming a reality, electricity trading across countries and the creation of new opportunities for re-allocation of water resources are possible. This study expands the concept of virtual water and proposes a generalized virtual water flow in an interconnected power grid system to accurately estimate water resource benefits of clean power transmission from both the production and the consumption sides. By defining the water scarcity index as a price mechanism indicator, the benefits of water resources allocation through power grid interconnections are evaluated. Taking the Africa-Asia-Europe interconnection scenario as an example, the total water saving would amount to 88.95 million m3 by 2030 and 337.8 million m3 by 2050. This result shows that grid interconnections could promote the development of renewable energy and expand the benefits of available water resources.