Employing Input-Output Model to Assess …
175
4.3 Discussion and Conclusion
Our research results mainly focus on two aspects: one is the quantitative analysis
of the three types of water footprints, and the other is the temporal and spatial
distribution characteristics of the three types of water footprints.
First, through a mixed unit IO model, the life cycle water consumption of China’s
CPG is evaluated in terms of water withdrawal, blue, and gray WFs, and they conclude
that electricity production dominates the life cycle of water withdrawal. We find that
the indirect water footprint occupies a certain proportion in the whole life cycle, so it
cannot be ignored. In addition to generating large amounts of energy consumption,
thermal power generation will also cause water pollution, which will result in a large
gray water footprint. Therefore, the development of water-saving technologies in the
electricity sector and water treatment capabilities in the coal sector can help reduce
its dependence on water supply. And by improving the water use efficiency of the
upstream sector, water consumption can also be effectively reduced.
At the same time, looking at the development and distribution of water footprint from the perspective of time and space, we can correctly judge China’s water
consumption. In terms of time, the three types of water footprints all show a downward trend, and in particular, the gray water footprint has also declined rapidly after
its peak in 2007. Due to different cooling technology applications, the distribution of
water footprint consumption has a certain regionality, and the distribution is not even.
High consumption areas are roughly distributed in the southeast coast (withdrawal
WF) and the Yangtze River Basin (blue WF).
Relevant research results emphasize the geographical changes of CPG and
encourage different policy priorities in different regions. As for the choice of cooling
technology, we believe that closed-loop technology should be widely used throughout
the country due to its water-saving and relatively low cost. Also, seawater is a potential
water resource that can be used in its open-loop cooling systems.
5 Case Study 2: Using Input–Output Model to Assess
the Water Footprint of China’s Fossil Fuels Production
Global energy demand is expected to increase by 48% from 579 billion GJ in 2012
to 860 billion GJ in 2040, posing a severe challenge to limited natural resources
such as freshwater for energy production. In this case study, we introduce how to
conduct an IO analysis of the gray water footprint of the energy sector. This can help
us understand the contribution of the entire society to the life cycle water footprint
of fossil energy production. More detailed analysis and results can be found in our
previous published journal article [34].
175
4.3 Discussion and Conclusion
Our research results mainly focus on two aspects: one is the quantitative analysis
of the three types of water footprints, and the other is the temporal and spatial
distribution characteristics of the three types of water footprints.
First, through a mixed unit IO model, the life cycle water consumption of China’s
CPG is evaluated in terms of water withdrawal, blue, and gray WFs, and they conclude
that electricity production dominates the life cycle of water withdrawal. We find that
the indirect water footprint occupies a certain proportion in the whole life cycle, so it
cannot be ignored. In addition to generating large amounts of energy consumption,
thermal power generation will also cause water pollution, which will result in a large
gray water footprint. Therefore, the development of water-saving technologies in the
electricity sector and water treatment capabilities in the coal sector can help reduce
its dependence on water supply. And by improving the water use efficiency of the
upstream sector, water consumption can also be effectively reduced.
At the same time, looking at the development and distribution of water footprint from the perspective of time and space, we can correctly judge China’s water
consumption. In terms of time, the three types of water footprints all show a downward trend, and in particular, the gray water footprint has also declined rapidly after
its peak in 2007. Due to different cooling technology applications, the distribution of
water footprint consumption has a certain regionality, and the distribution is not even.
High consumption areas are roughly distributed in the southeast coast (withdrawal
WF) and the Yangtze River Basin (blue WF).
Relevant research results emphasize the geographical changes of CPG and
encourage different policy priorities in different regions. As for the choice of cooling
technology, we believe that closed-loop technology should be widely used throughout
the country due to its water-saving and relatively low cost. Also, seawater is a potential
water resource that can be used in its open-loop cooling systems.
5 Case Study 2: Using Input–Output Model to Assess
the Water Footprint of China’s Fossil Fuels Production
Global energy demand is expected to increase by 48% from 579 billion GJ in 2012
to 860 billion GJ in 2040, posing a severe challenge to limited natural resources
such as freshwater for energy production. In this case study, we introduce how to
conduct an IO analysis of the gray water footprint of the energy sector. This can help
us understand the contribution of the entire society to the life cycle water footprint
of fossil energy production. More detailed analysis and results can be found in our
previous published journal article [34].