Title: The role of energy efficiency in the management of water resources of the Syr Darya River basin

Authors: Eunice Ramos; Nandi Moksnes; Annukka Lipponen; Lucia De Strasser; Constantinos Taliotis; Shahid Siyal; Dimitris Mentis; Mark Howells

Addresses: Department of Energy Technology, KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 68, 100-44 Stockholm, Sweden ' Department of Energy Technology, KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 68, 100-44 Stockholm, Sweden ' Environment Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Palais des Nations 8-14 avenue de la Paix, Geneva 10 CH-1211, Switzerland ' Environment Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Palais des Nations 8-14 avenue de la Paix, Geneva 10 CH-1211, Switzerland ' Department of Energy Technology, KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 68, 100-44 Stockholm, Sweden; The Cyprus Institute, Konstantinou Kavafi Street 20, 2121, Nicosia, Cyprus ' Department of Energy Technology, KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 68, 100-44 Stockholm, Sweden; Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah 67480, Pakistan ' Department of Energy Technology, KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 68, 100-44 Stockholm, Sweden; WRI – World Resources Institute, 10 G St. NE #800, Washington DC, 20002, USA ' Department of Energy Technology, KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 68, 100-44 Stockholm, Sweden; Loughborough University – Epinal Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK; Imperial College London – South Kensington, London SW7 2BU, UK

Abstract: A motivation for integrated resource assessments is that they can capture indirect cross-sectoral effects of sectoral policies. This work investigates the electricity system implications from the implementation of basin-wide electricity and water systems efficiency measures. The spatial scope includes the four states that share the Syr Darya River basin. Different interests dictate the management of water resources in the basin. They are necessary for irrigation downstream in spring and summer and upstream, for hydropower generation during winter. The study investigated options to decrease the need for electricity upstream through efficiency measures and by the expansion of regional electricity trade. The scenarios were simulated by developing a multi-country electricity system model using the open source energy modelling system (OSeMOSYS). The results show that lesser investments in hydropower capacity could be needed and less water required in winter. This would reduce pressure on shared water resources.

Keywords: transboundary river basin cooperation; energy efficiency; energy systems modelling; water resources management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2021.112667

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2021 Vol.20 No.1, pp.64 - 88

Received: 29 Jan 2019
Accepted: 28 Sep 2019
Published online: 26 Jan 2021 *

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