PhD defence

The impacts and challenges of water use of electric power production in China

• Y. Jin

Date

Tuesday 21 June 2022

Time

11:15 - 12:00 hour

Address

Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden

Supervisor(s)

• Prof. A. Tukker

Summary:

The electric power system requires large amounts of water resources and is a major driver of global water stress. Satisfying this requirement is of significance to water management and power system planning. This thesis examines the impacts and challenges of water use of electric power system.

This thesis found that there are large differences in water use of electricity technologies, with hydropower and thermal power being two large water users. Water is used for power production and then virtually transmitted via power transmission networks. From this angle, regional water stress can be influenced by power transmission across regions. The power system has further impacts on freshwater biodiversity because of its freshwater consumption and thermal emissions. Power system faces challenges when its water demand cannot be met. Carbon capture and storage is an important approach to reducing carbon emissions of power plants, while it requires additional water resources and could exacerbate the vulnerability of power system to water stress. It is necessary to deepen the analyses of the links between energy and water systems and incorporate the results into future energy and water management.

PhD dissertations

Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.

Press enquiries (journalists only)

[phone]
[e-mail]

General information

Beadle's Office
[e-mail]
[phone]