Water as a Factor in Energy Resources Development

Water is a key input to western energy resource development. Particularly where water supplies are short and water quality degradation is a critical consideration, the water resource system conflicts associated with energy development at alternative sites need to be carefully examined. To demonstrate the model structure and capabilities, an application is made to the energy resource region within the Utah portion of the Colorado River Basin. Surface water resources available by stream reaches are designated, and the possible energy developments requiring water inputs, for both extraction and conversion processes, are located. For the initial application of the model, optimal solutions were obtained for both energy maximization and water minimization which illustrate composite system effects and potential conflicts that could arise from various combinations of water allocation to energy resources developments. (GRA)