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Analysis of water resource benefits due to power grid interconnections using the virtual water method

2019-07-15

Chen X, Ma Z, Tan X, Zhao Y, Liu C, Tan F, Yang F (2019) Analysis of water resource benefits due to power grid interconnections using the virtual water method. Global Energy Interconnection, 2(3): 276-284

陈星，马志远，谭新，赵杨，刘昌义，谭锋，杨方（2019）基于虚拟水计算方法的电网互联水资源效益研究. 全球能源互联网（英文），2(3): 276-284

Authors：Xing Chen1，Zhiyuan Ma1，Xin Tan1，Yang Zhao1，Changyi Liu1，Feng Tan2，Fang Yang1

Institution：1.Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization, No. 8 Xuanwumennei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100031, P.R. China；2.Huaneng Lancang River Hydropower Inc. No. 1 Shijicheng middle road, Kunming, Yunnan 650214, P.R. China

Acknowledgements：This work was supported by the State Grid GEIGC Science and Technology Project under the “Research on Global Energy Transition Scenario and Model Development and Application under the New Pattern of Global Environmental Protection” framework (Grant No. 52450018000W).

Biographies

Xing Chen

received her Ph.D. degree from Tsinghua University, Beijing, in 2017. Currently, she works at the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO). Her research interests include environmental economics, climate change, and energy planning.

Zhiyuan Ma

received her Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, in 2018. Currently, she works at the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO). Her research interests include environmental economics, power system, vulnerability assessment, and energy planning.

Xin Tan

received his Ph.D. degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, US, in 2018. Currently, he works at the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO). His research interests include communications in smart grids, interdisciplinary research in energy and climate, and interconnection of power grids.

Yang Zhao

received his M.D. degree from Tianjin University, Tianjin in 2008. Currently, he is the Deputy Division Director of the Climate Change & Environment Research Division at the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO). His research interests include climate change, energy and power systems, and environmental research.

Changyi Liu

received received his Ph.D. degree from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in 2013. Currently, he works at the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO). His research interests include climate change and sustainable development.

Feng Tan

received his master degree from Yunnan Agricultural University, Yunnan, China, in 2012. Currently, he works at Huaneng Lancang River Hydropower Inc. His research interests include contract management and cost management.

Fang Yang

received her Ph.D. degree from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, in 2010. Currently, she is an Acting Division Director of the Climate Change & Environment Research Division at the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO). Her research interests include climate change, energy and power systems, and environmental research.

Analysis of water resource benefits due to power grid interconnections using the virtual water method

基于虚拟水计算方法的电网互联水资源效益研究

Abstract

The global water demand and supply situation is becoming increasingly severe due to water shortage and uneven distribution of water resources. The highest water demand in the energy sector is attributable to power generation. With cross-country and cross-continental power grid interconnections becoming a reality, electricity trading across countries and the creation of new opportunities for re-allocation of water resources are possible. This study expands the concept of virtual water and proposes a generalized virtual water flow in an interconnected power grid system to accurately estimate water resource benefits of clean power transmission from both the production and the consumption sides. By defining the water scarcity index as a price mechanism indicator, the benefits of water resources allocation through power grid interconnections are evaluated. Taking the Africa-Asia-Europe interconnection scenario as an example, the total water saving would amount to 88.95 million m3 by 2030 and 337.8 million m3 by 2050. This result shows that grid interconnections could promote the development of renewable energy and expand the benefits of available water resources.

Keywords

Power grid interconnection, Virtual water, Water resources allocation.

Fig.1 Virtual water of power transmission between regions A and B

Fig.2 Multi-region power transmission

Fig.3 Water saved and consumed in region B

Fig.4 Electricity topology under the Africa-Asia-Europe power grid interconnection

Fig.5 Virtual power flow topology under the Africa-Asia-Europe power grid interconnection

Fig.6 Total virtual water flow based on the electricity trade in Africa-Asia-Europe