Employing Input-Output Model to Assess
the Water Footprint of Energy System
Li Chai, Aixi Han, Xianglin Yan, and Sai Ma
Abstract The vigorous development of the energy system has imposed a huge
burden on the environment, especially for the water environment. On the one hand,
the production of energy products requires a large amount of water resources. On the
other hand, the environmental pollution caused by the energy system requires a large
amount of dilution water. In order to quantify and assess this environmental pressure brought by the energy system, an optimized model is necessary. In this chapter,
we start from the concept of water footprint to explain the significant impact of the
energy system on the environment. Then we compare the two water footprint evaluation ideas (one is top-down, and another is bottom-up), and led to a more commonly
used method, the input–output model. In addition to introducing the basic principles
and development process of this model, we also use three case studies to specifically
reveal the application of this method in energy and water environment accounting.
We hope that our discussion can help readers better understand the function and
research results of input–output models in the field of environmental assessment,
thereby promoting the further application and deepening of input–output models in
the environmental field.
Keywords Input–output model · Input–output analysis · Water footprint · Water
pollution · Energy production · Water–energy nexus · Life cycle assessment
1 Introduction: Water Crisis Induced by Energy System
Along with economic development, ecological resources are also deteriorating, and
the threat of water resources crisis to humanity is also increasing. Nobel Prize winner
Richard Smalley used to point out that in the next 50 years, water-related issues have
become the second largest issue that threatens humanity after energy. Water-related
matters, including water shortages and water pollution, will severely restrict a country
or region’s economic and social development. On March 22, 2015, the 23rd World
L. Chai (B) · A. Han · X. Yan · S. Ma
International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
e-mail: chaili2005@163.com; chaili@cau.edu.cn
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer
Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
S. S. Muthu (ed.), Water Footprint, Environmental Footprints and Eco-design
of Products and Processes, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4377-1_6
157
the Water Footprint of Energy System
Li Chai, Aixi Han, Xianglin Yan, and Sai Ma
Abstract The vigorous development of the energy system has imposed a huge
burden on the environment, especially for the water environment. On the one hand,
the production of energy products requires a large amount of water resources. On the
other hand, the environmental pollution caused by the energy system requires a large
amount of dilution water. In order to quantify and assess this environmental pressure brought by the energy system, an optimized model is necessary. In this chapter,
we start from the concept of water footprint to explain the significant impact of the
energy system on the environment. Then we compare the two water footprint evaluation ideas (one is top-down, and another is bottom-up), and led to a more commonly
used method, the input–output model. In addition to introducing the basic principles
and development process of this model, we also use three case studies to specifically
reveal the application of this method in energy and water environment accounting.
We hope that our discussion can help readers better understand the function and
research results of input–output models in the field of environmental assessment,
thereby promoting the further application and deepening of input–output models in
the environmental field.
Keywords Input–output model · Input–output analysis · Water footprint · Water
pollution · Energy production · Water–energy nexus · Life cycle assessment
1 Introduction: Water Crisis Induced by Energy System
Along with economic development, ecological resources are also deteriorating, and
the threat of water resources crisis to humanity is also increasing. Nobel Prize winner
Richard Smalley used to point out that in the next 50 years, water-related issues have
become the second largest issue that threatens humanity after energy. Water-related
matters, including water shortages and water pollution, will severely restrict a country
or region’s economic and social development. On March 22, 2015, the 23rd World
L. Chai (B) · A. Han · X. Yan · S. Ma
International College Beijing, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
e-mail: chaili2005@163.com; chaili@cau.edu.cn
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer
Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
S. S. Muthu (ed.), Water Footprint, Environmental Footprints and Eco-design
of Products and Processes, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4377-1_6
157