June 2015

A Message from Dr. Michael Webber
 
  

Summer is underway, which means higher temperatures and more attention to climate change. On top of that, Pope Francis made stirring comments about the moral importance of addressing our environmental impacts because of their connections with poverty and other societal challenges. In parallel news, the IEA released its report about the connections between energy and climate change. If we want to tackle climate change, then our energy systems are an obvious place to start. In addition, because our energy systems are intertwined with water, the water systems are an opportunity to pursue conservation goals that have cross-cutting benefits.  

 

On both of these issues--energy and water--our group is striving to offer useful insights that can inform the public policymaking process. The students are continuing to produce new scientific findings with their research and educational videos to explain their work to the world. Recent findings include a policy analysis that reveals the inconsistency of water regulations for shale production; innovative solutions that incorporate solar and wind for treating water; water storage to reduce peak electrical load; and an assessment of the energy embedded in water (and vice-versa) in Maui.  


 

Read on for details, and as always, feel free to send in your comments and suggestions. 

 

Michael Webber
PUBLICATIONS
View the entire WEG Publications Database online.

Scholarly Articles

1. E.A. Grubert and M.E. Webber, "Energy for Water and Water for Energy on Maui Island, Hawaii," Environmental Research Letters (2015).

2. M.A. Cook, K. Huber, and M.E. Webber, "Who Regulates It? 

Water Policy & Hydraulic Fracturing in Texas" Texas Water Journal (2015).

3. C.R. Crupshaw, J.D. Rhodes, and M.E. Webber, "Modeling Peak Load Reduction and Energy Consumption Enabled by an Integrated Thermal Energy and Water Storage System for Residential Air Conditioning Systems in Austin, Texas," Energy and Buildings (2015).

4. K.T. Sanders and M.E. Webber, "Evaluating the Energy and CO2 Emissions Impacts of Shifts in Residential Water Heating in the United States," Energy (2015).

5. J.B. Kjellsson and M.E. Webber, "The Energy-Water Nexus: Spacially-resolved Analysis of the Potential for Desalinating Brackish Groundwater by Use of Solar Energy," Resources (2015).

6. G.M. Gold and M.E. Webber, "The Energy-Water Nexus: An Analysis and Comparison of Various Configurations Integrating Desalination with Renewable Power," Resources (2015). 

7. J.R. Fyffe, A.C. Breckel, A.K. Townsend, "Residue-derived Solid Recovered Fuel for Use in Cement Kilns," Waste Management (In Press).
 

 

HAWAIIAN WATER
Energy for Water and Water for Energy on Maui Island

Energy and water systems are interconnected. This work first characterizes 2010 primary energy demand for direct water services and local freshwater demand for energy on Maui Island, Hawaii, then investigates scenarios for future changes in these demands. The goal of this video is to dissect the relationship and trends of energy-water connections to inform policymaking decisions related to water and energy planning.

SOLAR ENERGY AND DESALINATION  

Integrating Solar Energy and Brackish Groundwater Desalination in Texas

Jill Kjellsson and Gary Gold separately published papers in the special edition of Resources focused on groundwater quantity and quality. This video abstract synthesizes their research and conclusions.
ASK DR. WEBBER
What is Wind Energy?

Questions from children can help everyone understand the biggest issues in energy today. In this new series from the Webber Energy Group, third grade students from a local elementary school and Dr. Webber work together to explore energy. Hudson asks what is wind energy.