This report concentrates on recommended strategies to capture synergies between cutting water use, reducing risks to the power sector, and also reducing emissions.

The authors of this report wanted to gain a more thorough understanding of potential conflicts and synergies between power generation and water use. They developed a mixed-integer linear programming model of the power sector that captures the key relationships with water. The model was then used to develop a series of scenarios for four case studies – the North Grid of China, India, France, and the state of Texas in the United States. The researchers found that cost-effective options exist that can cut water use, reduce risks to the power sector, and also reduce emissions of conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases from electricity generation.