Page 54 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2019 publication

54 Autumn 2019 European Energy Innovation

WATER & ENERGY

sector, together with governance and society through integrating the David Martin
legal issues appear to be the main water-energy nexus into EU water
barriers to the collaboration between and energy policies. It could be said
water and energy services. At the that the EU’s Sustainability Agenda
same time, a number of success can pivot on the water-energy nexus
stories, where synergies between - the important interdependence of
the water and energy sector yielded water and energy in economic life:
beneficial results for the customers Water is needed to produce energy,
and the environment, were presented and energy is needed to treat and
in the session, sending out the transport water. The water-energy
strong message that synergies and nexus includes water treatment,
collaboration for water and energy water distribution, energy production
utilities come as the very first and (heating and cooling), energy use in
necessary step for the smart city of industrial processes, and industrial
the future. and commercial water reuse, and is
therefore central to water availability
Session 4: Building a Water-Energy and planning a water-energy smart
Smart Society society. In an era defined by Climate
change that makes imperative
David Martin: VP & Market changing our behaviour, the water-
Head Belgium & France, energy nexus cuts across many of
VP Government Relations, today’s challenges -- water scarcity,
Europe; ECOLAB energy savings and emissions
reductions -- making it an opportunity
Water availability is a serious for significant social and economic
challenge for the EU given the fact impact. With this understanding, the
that citizens perceive water as an panel emphasized the urgency for
unlimited resource and that more policy-makers to consider the water-
than 50% of fresh water is used for energy nexus in upcoming EU water-
industrial purposes. With estimates related legislation and to make the
that total water abstraction in the link with energy use in industry and
EU will increase by 16% by 2030, we the EU’s energy efficiency policies. The
must plan now to avoid a scenario in powerful key message of the session
which industry, agriculture and people was that saving water and energy is
compete for this vital resource. both good for the planet and good for
The key is in building a water smart business. l

WIE2019 take-home messages

• There are common issues standing out to the delivery of water and energy services from a nexus
standpoint: the need to decouple energy/water consumption from economic growth and development, etc.

• The actual challenge is not to optimise interlinkages between energy and water services delivery but rather
to progress in terms of resilience, sustainability, and adaptability.

• By 2050, the demand for energy will nearly double globally, with water demand estimated to increase by
over 50%. The challenge of meeting growing demand is further compounded by climate change impacts.

• Switching to a lower carbon pathway could, if not properly managed, exacerbate water stress or be limited
by it.

• Synergies and collaboration for water and energy utilities is a necessary step for the smart city of the
future.

• The increased fragmentation of the water sector, as well as governance and legal issues are the main
barriers to this collaboration.

• To reach our decarbonization target, we need to reduce energy, use greener energy and preserve water as
energy is water hungry and water is a finite resource.

• Saving water and energy is good for the planet and is good for business.

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