Water and energy are intrinsically linked: we need energy to provide clean water (e.g. for wastewater treatment, desalination and pumping) and we need water to provide energy (e.g. for hydropower, cooling of thermo-electric power, concentrated solar power plants and biofuel production). Recent drought and heatwave events have shown the vulnerability of both the energy and water sectors, as the demand for the two and their systemic interdependencies are particularly strong. However, the interplay between clean water and energy under climate extremes is complex and poorly understood. With heatwaves and droughts occurring more frequently across the globe, we need improved understanding on how water–energy system processes cascade in time and space under a changing climate and changing extremes. This is urgently needed to develop water-management and energy-transition strategies that are also robust under increasing climate shocks. In the B-WEX Project, we develop spatially explicit pathways that reveal how the provision of clean water and energy can be balanced under various water-management and energy-transition developments, including the feedbacks and cascading mechanisms under present and future droughts and heatwaves in regions worldwide.

• Jignesh Shah MSc
• Michele Magni MSc

What are the drivers of water scarcity during droughts and heatwaves?
Water scarcity is not only driven by decreasing water availability, but also by water quality deterioration and increasing water use. Researchers will analyze the drivers of water scarcity during droughts and heatwaves worldwide by developing a model system that allows water managers to improve decision making on clean water resources.

• dr. Edwin Sutanudjaja
• Gabriel Cardenas Belleza MSc
• Duncan Graham MSc