350
13.1.3 Metrics and Data
Data availability can constrain what models have been developed, which may then
indirectly impact future data collection (hence availability) through the mechanism
depicted in Fig. 12.3 by limiting the models and metrics that can be developed in the
future. Current data collection methods and practices entail constraints on what
metrics are derived, used, and accepted. Metrics only based upon modeling might
not be as readily accepted as those that can be calculated using measured data (e.g.,
streamflow).
Consistent state, regional, and national-level data are usually not collected at
greater than annual frequency. This is, however, highly dependent on the type of
data. For example, in the USA, there is currently no single agency charged with collecting nation-wide data on water withdrawal and consumption, which is generally
only available from the U.S. Geological Survey at 5-year intervals. There is now an
effort to integrate various water models through a new National Water Model, which
went online in 2016. Food (agriculture) and energy (with their own federal departments) have better data availability, often on monthly timescales.
Box 13.1 Thermoelectric Power Plants
Power plants can be made more efficient at establishment scale. Drivers for
improving efficiency are from wholesale markets (global scale) and regulations (establishment and global scale). Operation of a plant is dictated by
global scale interdependence (e.g., wholesale market, optimal least-cost dispatch). Water and food impacts are from the price of electricity and direct
water use by thermal plants. Ultimate feedback to improve establishment
operations comes from its operation within a global context (e.g., if it does not
operate enough, it needs to improve or retire).
In the design and operation of a thermoelectric power plant, fuel efficiency
(and thus water intensity) is an overarching concern. Process engineering
models optimize the operation of the plant to maximize efficiency, and thereby
minimize cost. Due to past improvements in fuel efficiency of thermal power
plants, increased gains come at significant diminished returns. Most of the
reductions in the water intensity of thermal power generation have come from
new designs, such as combined cycle power plants, as well as use of nonthermal technologies such as wind power and solar photovoltaics.
However, a significant consideration in determining the actual operation of
the plant is the marginal cost of electricity as dispatched by the independent
system operator (ISO), who is unconcerned with plant efficiency improvements, that is, plant characteristics are fixed for short-term dispatch.
The metric of interest (in a wholesale electric market) is the market price
of electricity relative to the marginal cost for the power plant, irrespective of
plant efficiency.
M. Carbajales-Dale and C. W. King
13.1.3 Metrics and Data
Data availability can constrain what models have been developed, which may then
indirectly impact future data collection (hence availability) through the mechanism
depicted in Fig. 12.3 by limiting the models and metrics that can be developed in the
future. Current data collection methods and practices entail constraints on what
metrics are derived, used, and accepted. Metrics only based upon modeling might
not be as readily accepted as those that can be calculated using measured data (e.g.,
streamflow).
Consistent state, regional, and national-level data are usually not collected at
greater than annual frequency. This is, however, highly dependent on the type of
data. For example, in the USA, there is currently no single agency charged with collecting nation-wide data on water withdrawal and consumption, which is generally
only available from the U.S. Geological Survey at 5-year intervals. There is now an
effort to integrate various water models through a new National Water Model, which
went online in 2016. Food (agriculture) and energy (with their own federal departments) have better data availability, often on monthly timescales.
Box 13.1 Thermoelectric Power Plants
Power plants can be made more efficient at establishment scale. Drivers for
improving efficiency are from wholesale markets (global scale) and regulations (establishment and global scale). Operation of a plant is dictated by
global scale interdependence (e.g., wholesale market, optimal least-cost dispatch). Water and food impacts are from the price of electricity and direct
water use by thermal plants. Ultimate feedback to improve establishment
operations comes from its operation within a global context (e.g., if it does not
operate enough, it needs to improve or retire).
In the design and operation of a thermoelectric power plant, fuel efficiency
(and thus water intensity) is an overarching concern. Process engineering
models optimize the operation of the plant to maximize efficiency, and thereby
minimize cost. Due to past improvements in fuel efficiency of thermal power
plants, increased gains come at significant diminished returns. Most of the
reductions in the water intensity of thermal power generation have come from
new designs, such as combined cycle power plants, as well as use of nonthermal technologies such as wind power and solar photovoltaics.
However, a significant consideration in determining the actual operation of
the plant is the marginal cost of electricity as dispatched by the independent
system operator (ISO), who is unconcerned with plant efficiency improvements, that is, plant characteristics are fixed for short-term dispatch.
The metric of interest (in a wholesale electric market) is the market price
of electricity relative to the marginal cost for the power plant, irrespective of
plant efficiency.
M. Carbajales-Dale and C. W. King