(160b) Enhancing Resilience of the Energy-Water Nexus to Climate Change: A Holistic Framework and Dynamic Modeling Approach

The impact of climate change on the interrelated energy and water systems is substantial, highlighting the immediate requirement for comprehensive initiatives to strengthen resilience within the energy-water (EW) nexus. This study aims to tackle the current vulnerabilities and complexities of the EW nexus by developing a dynamic modeling framework that considers the consequences of several climatic changes, such as rising temperatures, heatwaves, and sea-level rise.

The study examines the water and energy subsystems in the nexus, which include desalination plants, wastewater treatment facilities, and power generation plants. These subsystems are connected through the flow of water, power, and heat. A comprehensive resilience methodology is suggested to tackle the dynamic interactions among nexus components and uncertainties in climate change scenarios. The framework incorporates structured optimization model to guide decision-making processes by integrating resources within the nexus.

The dynamic properties of the models consider fluctuations in electricity and water demand and supply, as well as changes in climate variables over time. Specific case study on the state of Qatar is used to incorporate spatial factors. Representative indicators, such as economic and environmental metrics, are used to demonstrate the resilience of a system over various time periods. These indicators help guide in planning for long-term resilience and responding to short-term climate change stressors.

The study uses appropriate resilience indices to provide a quantitative measurement of the losses in system performance and the time it takes to recover, making it easier to evaluate the resilience of the system within the EW nexus.

This research highlights the crucial need to create strong resilience strategy integrating dynamic modeling approaches to protect the interconnected energy-water nexus from the complex challenges brought by climate change. This will enable the sustainable and adaptive management of essential resources in an increasingly uncertain future.