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The Energy Water Nexus project assessed how water-related constraints, driven by climate change, could affect the design of a Net Zero energy system by 2050 and the impact this could have on energy networks.
The project is NIA funded and was commissioned by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and National Gas Transmission (NGT). It was delivered by Energy Systems Catapult, supported by HR Wallingford and PSC Consulting.
Key findings:
- If access to estuarine and coastal water is limited, then freshwater resource constraints will result in the deployment of additional renewable capacity and more expensive but less water-intensive cooling methods for thermal generation.
- Increased thermal generation capacity on the coast and estuaries, if this is possible, it may result in a more resilient whole energy system, but it is likely to increase operational and stability challenges for the electricity network.
- Water-related constraints also impact other energy networks including hydrogen and district heat networks, although the impacts vary with specific network and water assumptions.
Building on this project, future energy system planning should incorporate better consideration of water constraints and their impacts on the energy system and its networks.
For more details of National Grid Electricity Transmission’s innovation portfolio please click here.
Energy Water Nexus - Executive summary
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Energy Water Nexus - Final report
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Technical annexes
Due to the size of the annexe files, the versions available for download on this webpage have been compressed. To download the high-resolution files, please click here.
Technical annexes
Due to the size of the annexe files, the versions available for download on this webpage have been compressed. To download the high-resolution files, please click here.
Technical Annexe 1: Energy assumptions spreadsheet (Report)
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Technical Annexe 1: Energy assumptions spreadsheet (Excel Spreadsheet)
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Technical Annexe 2: Detailed report on whole system analysis
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Technical Annexe 3: Additional whole system analysis results charts
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Technical Annexe 4: Detailed report on network impact analysis
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Technical Annexe 5: Water and Energy Interactions, Risks and Innovations (Report)
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We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Technical Annexe 5: Water and energy interactions (Excel Spreadsheet)
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To download this file, we would be grateful if you could tell us a little about yourself.
We use this information for internal research purposes to help us better understand which energy sector stakeholders are interested in which areas of our work. We do not share your details with any third parties.
If you do not wish to complete the form, please email communications@es.catapult.org.uk to request a digital copy.
Download all files via Google Drive
The following are available to download in full resolution:
- Executive Summary of Final Report
- Final Report
Plus:
- Technical Annexe 1: Energy Assumptions Spreadsheet
- Technical Annexe 2: Detailed Report on Whole System Analysis
- Technical Annexe 3: Additional Whole System Analysis Results Charts
- Technical Annexe 4: Detailed Report on Network Impact Analysis
- Technical Annexe 5: Water and Energy Interactions, Risks and Innovations
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