Assessment and Vulnerabilities

Water for Energy

This study identifies the key issues and solutions surrounding water and energy, and to examine the policies and investments required for a sustainable water-energy-food system. Different regions have different degrees of water availability and development and therefore future needs, and it is vital that this study look at specific regions.

Key questions include the quantifiable water requirements of a region over the next 40 years, how this is to be divided among energy, food, drinking water and other essential uses (e.g., manufacturing), what technological improvements are needed to assure adequate supplies of water, what is the relative importance of water from rivers, oceans, hydropower, desalination, groundwater, wastewater treatment and recycling, what policies and levels of investments are needed to assure adequate water for energy and for food, for what and by when?

A report is planned for early 2010 and a session at the World Energy Congress.