Author(s): Shan Jiang, Qing Ming Wang, Jian Hua Wang, Yong Zhao
Linked Author(s): Qingming Wang
Keywords: Water resources, coal-electricity power, newly available water supply, coal bases, water and energy nexus.
Abstract: The production and distribution of coal are relatively independent. Coal production is concentrated in the northwest region while coal is mostly consumed in the eastern region. The loess plateau in the upper and middle Yellow River valley and northwest inland basin are the main bases of coal resources and heavy chemical industry in China, where are in a shortage of water resources. As the result, expanding the scale of the coal-electricity power will put more pressure on local water resources, and the environmental pollution has become more and more serious. This study analyzes the available water resources and water requirements of coal-electricity power based on development planning of coal bases and the most strict water management measures. Results has shown that the newly increased water demand of coal-electricity power in the fourteen large-scale coal bases will reach 1. 9 billion m3 by 2020, and the newly increased available water supply of major coal bases will reach 4. 5billion m3, but water resources will become the weak link, restricting the coal-electricity power industry development of coal bases in areas such as Shendong, Eastern Shanxi, Huanglong, and Henan; other coal bases will have water resources to support the development of coal-electricity power by building water supply projects, utilizing unconventional water resources and water right displacement from other regions. The scenario where severe water resources challenge China's energy development strategies is foreseeable, therefore, the scale of coal-electricity power should be decided by water resources, and it is necessary to begin expanding supply and controlling demand in order to guarantee the water supply required by these coal bases. This paper gives scientific support for coordinated management of water and energy nexus
Year: 2017