198
S. Namany and T. Al-Ansari
literature, considers the nexus or the interactions between two resources systems
only. In the past, the nexus between the energy and water sectors across process
and operational levels has received remarkable attention owing to its importance in
driving the majority of industrial sectors leading the economy. In this respect, Wang
et al. evaluated the impact of the water sector decisions on the energy strategies. A
scenario analysis technique based on the input–output analysis (IOA) was adopted to
investigate diverse energy-mix cases with an aim to determine pathways that could
reduce inefficiencies that arise from the energy and water interdependencies [40].
The same tool was adopted by Duan and Chen in combination with the ecological
network analysis (ENA) to examine the water embodied in the production of energy
and international trade. Results of their study illustrated the reliance of the energy
sector on the water system and the impact that this dependence induces on the latter
[41]. With a more focus on the process level, Sun et al. analysed water usage in
cooling towers used to dissipate the heat generated from concentrated solar power
(CSP) power generation plants. The study illustrates the effectiveness in using water
sprays to enhance the efficiency of CSP plants by improving the performance of
natural draft dry cooling towers (NDDCT), a necessary cooling technology in arid
and dry climates [42]. Aiming to enhance the efficiency of the power generation
system and reduce the burden of water resources, Yasir et al. suggested a coupled
power-desalination plant that captures the water vapour generated from the natural
gas-fired power station, as means to recover the water used especially in regions with
scarce water resources. In addition, deploying such systems can result in a significant reduction in CO 2 emissions [43]. Considering the energy to water integration,
Aminfard et al. assessed the economic and environmental feasibility of using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy to power a reverse osmosis water
desalination plant. With the two technologies resulting in reduced carbon footprints,
findings have demonstrated that wind energy is more economically viable than the
solar energy [44]. Similarly, Al-Obaidli et al. utilised a portfolio analysis optimisation to determine the optimal energy and water desalting configurations composed of
renewable and non-renewable energy sources driving a cogeneration plant. The aim
of the study was to minimise emissions associated with fuel-based energy sources
while achieving a minimal levelised cost [45].
3.2 Food and Water
Interactions between the food and water sectors are also well demonstrated in the
nexus literature. Generally, the focus of studies in this area is on two subsystems
of the food sector, namely agriculture and international trade. For instance, Lahlou
et al. developed an optimisation model that allocates treated waste water generated
from diverse industries to irrigate and supply nutrients to a fodder farm. Findings
of the framework asserts that using treated waste water as a source of water and
fertilisers results in negative carbon emissions and reduces the stress on renewable
water resources, especially in countries with characterised by a scarce water base
S. Namany and T. Al-Ansari
literature, considers the nexus or the interactions between two resources systems
only. In the past, the nexus between the energy and water sectors across process
and operational levels has received remarkable attention owing to its importance in
driving the majority of industrial sectors leading the economy. In this respect, Wang
et al. evaluated the impact of the water sector decisions on the energy strategies. A
scenario analysis technique based on the input–output analysis (IOA) was adopted to
investigate diverse energy-mix cases with an aim to determine pathways that could
reduce inefficiencies that arise from the energy and water interdependencies [40].
The same tool was adopted by Duan and Chen in combination with the ecological
network analysis (ENA) to examine the water embodied in the production of energy
and international trade. Results of their study illustrated the reliance of the energy
sector on the water system and the impact that this dependence induces on the latter
[41]. With a more focus on the process level, Sun et al. analysed water usage in
cooling towers used to dissipate the heat generated from concentrated solar power
(CSP) power generation plants. The study illustrates the effectiveness in using water
sprays to enhance the efficiency of CSP plants by improving the performance of
natural draft dry cooling towers (NDDCT), a necessary cooling technology in arid
and dry climates [42]. Aiming to enhance the efficiency of the power generation
system and reduce the burden of water resources, Yasir et al. suggested a coupled
power-desalination plant that captures the water vapour generated from the natural
gas-fired power station, as means to recover the water used especially in regions with
scarce water resources. In addition, deploying such systems can result in a significant reduction in CO 2 emissions [43]. Considering the energy to water integration,
Aminfard et al. assessed the economic and environmental feasibility of using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy to power a reverse osmosis water
desalination plant. With the two technologies resulting in reduced carbon footprints,
findings have demonstrated that wind energy is more economically viable than the
solar energy [44]. Similarly, Al-Obaidli et al. utilised a portfolio analysis optimisation to determine the optimal energy and water desalting configurations composed of
renewable and non-renewable energy sources driving a cogeneration plant. The aim
of the study was to minimise emissions associated with fuel-based energy sources
while achieving a minimal levelised cost [45].
3.2 Food and Water
Interactions between the food and water sectors are also well demonstrated in the
nexus literature. Generally, the focus of studies in this area is on two subsystems
of the food sector, namely agriculture and international trade. For instance, Lahlou
et al. developed an optimisation model that allocates treated waste water generated
from diverse industries to irrigate and supply nutrients to a fodder farm. Findings
of the framework asserts that using treated waste water as a source of water and
fertilisers results in negative carbon emissions and reduces the stress on renewable
water resources, especially in countries with characterised by a scarce water base