Use of the Life Cycle Methodology to Calculate Energy Consumption of Urban Water Cycle: A Case Study of Ordos City

Abstract

Water resources and energy constitute two broad categories of resources required for social and economic development. The water-energy nexus has become a focus of research in recent years. Although water resources are closely related to energy systems, the processes involved remain incompletely understood due to the diversity and complexity of energy types, processes, and consumption sectors. This study aimed to accurately calculate the energy demand of water resources and to identify an effective method of improving the energy utilization efficiency of water. The life cycle of water resources was divided into five stages based on the life cycle methodology: (1) extraction, (2) purification, (3) transportation, (4) utilization, (5) sewage treatment. The quantity and characteristics of energy consumed in each stage were studied, and an equation to calculate energy consumption for each stage was proposed. Using the city of Ordos in Northwest China as an example, energy consumption of water resources from 2013 to 2017 was analyzed. The results showed that from 2013 to 2017, energy consumption and per unit energy consumption of water resources in Ordos decreased by 33.3% and 30.6% from 1.62 × 108 kWh to 1.08 × 108 kWh and from 10.11 kWh·m−3 to 7.02 kWh·m−3, respectively. The majority of energy consumption over the entire life cycle of water resources occurred during the utilization stage at a proportion of total energy consumed of ~95%. Use of water for thermal power generation was identified as the single largest consumer of energy and, therefore, has the greatest potential for energy saving.