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Energy Recovery and Clean Water: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment
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Energy Recovery and Clean Water: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2025 | Viewed by 3610

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Navneet Kumar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Ecology and Natural Resources Management, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
2. Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS), United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), Bonn, Germany
Interests: water quality and quantity; water–energy–food nexus; hydrological modelling; irrigation; GIS and remote sensing; climate change; solar powered irrigation; environmental impact assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Bernhard Tischbein

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Ecology and Natural Resources Management, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Interests: irrigation; drainage; salt management; groundwater and matter flow modelling; water footprint; environmental impact assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A considerable amount of energy is exploited to harness, treat, and distribute the water used for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes. While the water industry uses energy to treat water and recycle wastewater to make it clean and safe for consumption, water utilities require energy to distribute safe water through its distribution systems. The scale of energy consumption in the water sector also varies from large-scale water recycling and bottling plants to electricity- or diesel-operated groundwater extraction machines owned by smallholders. All sectors of water at present are focusing on reducing the consumption of fossil fuels to minimize CO2 emissions and combat the negative effects of climate change. The optimum utilization of water and the efficient use of energy driven by technologies and policies with the objective of energy recovery has become the key to enhancing the sustainability of water systems and practices. The interdependence between water and energy systems is of great relevance due to the alarming occurrence of water shortages and the need for a fossil fuel phase-out in many parts of the world. However, energy recovery has tradeoffs both in terms of technology cost and diffusion, and the economic efficiency of water systems and its environmental impacts. In other words, the assessment of energy recovery plans and technological systems needs to take into account techno-economic and environmental impact assessments to minimize tradeoffs and maximize benefits. Thus, the complex interconnectedness of water and energy needs be holistically investigated from the novel perspective of smart systems and the energy transition, aiming to ensure their sustainable use.

This Special Issue, entitled “Energy Recovery and Clean Water: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment” aims to explore and assess new technological systems and implementational models that can aid policy makers and planners in developing ‘energy smart’, ‘climate smart’ and ‘water smart’ systems for a resilient and sustainable clean water future. What are the emerging technologies that aim for energy recovery when taking into consideration economic feasibility and environmental protection? What are the governance challenges present when linking efficient and sustainable water and energy systems? How do we generate affordable and safe water with optimum energy management strategies under when considering climate change and socioeconomic development? How can energy use in water supply and treatment be integrated into water–carbon footprint studies? Case studies addressing a variety of new innovative technologies for water and energy nexus issues are also welcome. We are pleased to invite contributions that will generate new knowledge, groundbreaking solutions, appealing technological applications, and innovative governance models that will aid in energy recovery in the water sector.

Below is a list of indicative, but not exhaustive, topics for this Special Issue:

  • Energy use and recovery in water collection, treatment, and distribution;
  • Interconnected water and energy systems;
  • Climate change and energy transitions in water sector;
  • Water technologies for efficient, resilient, and sustainable solutions;
  • Innovative water management and water governance;
  • Social and stakeholder involvement in water-energy management;
  • Water–energy–ecology nexus;
  • Hydropower and renewable energies;
  • Low-carbon water technology;
  • Smart water and energy grids modelling and optimisation;
  • Water and energy demand characterisation and forecasting;
  • Optimal design and management of water distribution systems;
  • Digital implementation and AI tools linking water–energy sector;
  • Resilience and interdependencies between water and energy infrastructures;
  • Irrigation and energy demand;
  • Solar-powered irrigation systems;
  • GIS and RS in groundwater quality mapping.

Dr. Navneet Kumar
Dr. Bernhard Tischbein
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water–energy nexus
  • energy policy
  • water governance
  • water quality
  • groundwater and matter flow modelling
  • groundwater irrigation
  • solar powered pumps
  • wastewater treatment
  • water–energy–food nexus
  • water distribution systems
  • GIS and remote sensing
  • artificial intelligence
  • climate change

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 8673 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Projected Climate Impacts on the Interlinkages of Water, Energy, and Food Nexus Resources in Narok County, Kenya, and Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa
by Nosipho Zwane, Joel O. Botai, Siyabonga H. Nozwane, Aphinda Jabe, Christina M. Botai, Lucky Dlamini, Luxon Nhamo, Sylvester Mpandeli, Brilliant Petja, Motochi Isaac and Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi
Water 2025, 17(10), 1449; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17101449 - 11 May 2025
Viewed by 376
Abstract
The current changing climate requires the development of water–energy–food (WEF) nexus-oriented systems capable of mainstreaming climate-smart innovations into resource management. This study demonstrates the cross-sectoral impacts of climate change on interlinked sectors of water, energy, and food in Narok County, Kenya, and Vhembe [...] Read more.
The current changing climate requires the development of water–energy–food (WEF) nexus-oriented systems capable of mainstreaming climate-smart innovations into resource management. This study demonstrates the cross-sectoral impacts of climate change on interlinked sectors of water, energy, and food in Narok County, Kenya, and Vhembe District, South Africa. This study used projected hydroclimatic extremes across past, present, and future scenarios to examine potential effects on the availability and accessibility of these essential resources. The projected temperature and rainfall are based on nine dynamically downscaled Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP 5) of the Global Climate Models (GCMs). The model outputs were derived from two IPCC “Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs)’’, the RCP 4.5 “moderate scenario”, and RCP 8.5 “business as usual scenario”, also defined as the addition of 4.5 W/m2 and 8.5 W/m2 radiative forcing in the atmosphere, respectively, by the year 2100. For the climate change projections, outputs from the historical period (1976–2005) and projected time intervals spanning the near future, defined as the period starting from 2036 to 2065, and the far future, spanning from 2066 to 2095, were considered. An ensemble model to increase the skill, reliability, and consistency of output was formulated from the nine models. The statistical bias correction based on quantile mapping using seven ground-based observation data from the South African Weather Services (SAWS) for Limpopo province and nine ground-based observation data acquired from the Trans-African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO) for Narok were used to correct the systematic biases. Results indicate downscaled climate change scenarios and integrate a modelling framework designed to depict the perceptions of future climate change impacts on communities based on questionnaires and first-hand accounts. Furthermore, the analysis points to concerted efforts of multi-stakeholder engagement, the access and use of technology, understanding the changing business environment, integrated government and private sector partnerships, and the co-development of community resilience options, including climate change adaptation and mitigation in the changing climate. The conceptual climate and WEF resource modelling framework confirmed that future climate change will have noticeable interlinked impacts on WEF resources that will impact the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Building the resilience of communities can be achieved through transformative WEF nexus solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, equitable, and balance adaptation and mitigation goals to ensure a just and sustainable future for all. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Recovery and Clean Water: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment)
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15 pages, 2382 KiB  
Article
Design of Integrated Energy–Water Systems Using Automated Targeting Modeling Considering the Energy–Water–Carbon Nexus
by Nor Erniza Mohammad Rozali, Muhammad Aidan Mohd Halmy and Peng Yen Liew
Water 2024, 16(22), 3256; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223256 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 976
Abstract
The swift expansion of the global population and economy has spurred growing requirements for energy and water in recent decades. Inefficient energy and water consumption, however, has led to an increase in CO2 emissions. Hence, the socio-economic development of a country must [...] Read more.
The swift expansion of the global population and economy has spurred growing requirements for energy and water in recent decades. Inefficient energy and water consumption, however, has led to an increase in CO2 emissions. Hence, the socio-economic development of a country must consider the interconnections between energy, water and carbon, as there are mutual dependencies among these three elements. This work considers the nexus between energy, water and carbon in the design of integrated energy–water systems using a new automated targeting modeling (ATM) framework. ATM incorporates the advantages of the insight-based Pinch method and a mathematical programming approach to provide visual understanding for a thorough analysis of the problem while guaranteeing accurate solutions. Minimum targets of power and water based on the integrated network operation were established by the ATM, with corresponding carbon emissions. A specific goal of annual carbon emissions reduction was set as the constraint and the ATM optimized the capacities of the components in the system accordingly to achieve minimum overall cost. The application of ATM on an industrial plant case study shows that a target of 45% reduction in the carbon discharge amount was achieved by shifting to greener fuel in the energy system at a minimum overall cost increase of 0.45% only. The framework can assist users in meeting power and water loads in their plant while planning for the appropriate decarbonization efforts at the minimum possible cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Recovery and Clean Water: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment)
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20 pages, 12778 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Surface Waters Using Autoregressive Moving Average Models: A Case Study of Kis-Balaton Water Protection System, Hungary
by Zsófia Kovács, Bálint Levente Tarcsay, Piroska Tóth, Csenge Judit Juhász, Sándor Németh and Amin Shahrokhi
Water 2024, 16(16), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16162314 - 16 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1061
Abstract
In this work, the authors provide a case study of time series regression techniques for water quality forecasting. With the constant striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the need for sensitive and reliable water management tools has become critical. Continuous online [...] Read more.
In this work, the authors provide a case study of time series regression techniques for water quality forecasting. With the constant striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the need for sensitive and reliable water management tools has become critical. Continuous online surface water quality monitoring systems that record time series data about surface water parameters are essential for the supervision of water conditions and proper water management practices. The time series data obtained from these systems can be used to develop mathematical models for the prediction of the temporal evolution of water quality parameters. Using these mathematical models, predictions can be made about future trends in water quality to pinpoint irregular behaviours in measured data and identify the presence of anomalous events. We compared the performance of regression models with different structures for the forecasting of water parameters by utilizing a data set collected from the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS) wetland region of Hungary over an observation period of eleven months as a case study. In our study, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) regression models with different structures have been compared based on forecasting performance. Using the resulting models, trends of the oxygen saturation, pH level, electrical conductivity, and redox potential of the water could be accurately forecast (validation data residual standard deviation between 0.09 and 20.8) while in the case of turbidity, only averages of future values could be predicted (validation data residual standard deviation of 56.3). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Recovery and Clean Water: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment)
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Review

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28 pages, 3576 KiB  
Review
Ozonation for Low-Load Greywater Treatment: A Review and Experimental Considerations for Small-Scale Systems
by Marco Antonio Díaz, David Blanco, Rosa Chandia-Jaure, Andrés Cataldo-Cunich, Victor H. Poblete, Carlos Aguirre-Nuñez and María Belén Almendro-Candel
Water 2025, 17(8), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081195 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 506
Abstract
The effectiveness of ozone (O3) in eliminating various types of microorganisms, as well as in oxidizing a wide range of contaminants present in wastewater, and drinking water, is extensively documented in the literature, along with the required concentrations, contact times ( [...] Read more.
The effectiveness of ozone (O3) in eliminating various types of microorganisms, as well as in oxidizing a wide range of contaminants present in wastewater, and drinking water, is extensively documented in the literature, along with the required concentrations, contact times (Ct values), reaction mechanisms for different pollutants, and overall efficiency. This article presents a comprehensive review on the use of aqueous O3 for treatment and disinfection, specifically for low-contaminant domestic greywater (LGW), providing information for its integration into the design of small-scale treatment systems. Additionally, to complement the theoretical findings, experimental tests were conducted using a portable O3 generator in an operational facility treating greywater (GW) from handwashing sinks. The results confirmed that O3 concentration increases over time but decreases as the volume of water to be treated increases. Water analysis results showed significant reductions in BOD5, turbidity, and total suspended solids after treatment. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the presence of microorganisms in LGW is minimal, as in the case of fecal coliforms, ensuring a 1 Log disinfection level in this type of system. O3, as the sole treatment and disinfection system, with an oxidation potential nearly twice that of chlorine, proved to be highly effective in small-scale treatment systems, promoting sustainable practices, water resource conservation, environmental protection, and public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Recovery and Clean Water: Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment)
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