Energy shortages offer the chance to reconsider the water-power nexus

摘要

I have been following the recent news about energy shortages and crises, notably in China, with some interest. Beside the fact that the tightening supply of coal comes as demand is expected to rise with the onset of winter (accentuating the need for heating), Beijing has been trying to move away from coal as its main source of energy, meaning that coal-based power plants are facing extra scrutiny in their operations, if they are allowed to operate at all. This confluence of events is occurring as the world is facing a supply chain crunch. With China still pivotal to the global manufacturing ecosystem, and energy being a core ingredient in its continuity, this mayhem permeating the economy rapidly compounds to stratospheric levels.