Colorado Water June 2005

• Year: 2005
• Title: Colorado Water
• Author: Water Center of Colorado State University
• Description: JUNE 2005 Issue
• Publications - Doc Type: Newsletter

IKUTLNG BRIEFS
Exploring the Energy/Water Nexus:
A Stakeholder Dialogue for Identification of Critical Issues
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Stakeholder Technology Forum Summary
February 25, 2005
Reliable and secure energy — as well as freshwater
supplies — are vital to the prosperity of our nation,
and are a growing challenge in the American West.
Energy and water are increasingly interdependent, with
electric power generation requiring large quantities of
water, while oil and gas production produces E
large quantities of wastewater. The electricity
industry is second to agriculture as the larg-
est user of water in the United States. Simi-
larly, potable water sourcing, treatment, and
distribution require considerable amounts of
energy.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL) recently hosted a technology forum,
which included about 50 stakeholders, to
Thermoelectric
discuss some of the issues surrounding energy 39%
and water. Organized with the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation, Western Area Power Adminis-
tration, and Colorado Water Resource Research Insti-
tute, the workshop explored the energy /water nexus with
a focus on energy's impact in water development and
quality, and water use and quality in energy production
and delivery. Participants identified issues that are criti-
cal to ensuring that our energy supply supports water
availability and quality; reduces water use in the supply
of energy; and advances energy and water sustainabil-
ity for Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great
Plains.
stimated Freshwater Withdrawals by Sector, 2000
Public Supply taduatual
6% Livestock
#4 °%
Bob Wilkinson (U. of California, Santa Bar-
bara and Bill Karsell (Chief of Environmental
Services, USGS) discuss posters.
16
igation
39%
The two primary sessions discussed energy demand for
the public water supply and exploration of water and
energy supply linkages.
Questions discussed included:
1. What are critical issues related to ensuring adequate
energy supply to support water availability and quality?
2. What are the critical issues related to reduced energy
demand in water supply, treatment, and transportation?
3. What are the critical issues related to reducing water
use in the supply of energy from the range of fuel
sources?
4. What are the critical issues related to energy and
water security for Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, the
Great Plains?
5. How might increased use of renewable energy tech-
nologies and energy efficiency measures impact water
availability and quality?
Stan Bull of NREL opened the forum, outlining the
goals for the event. With the ever - increasing link
between energy and water (functionally and geographi-
cally), the Lab realized the critical need for research and
solutions, and the importance of building new relation-
ships among key organizations.