A Stanford-led study, published on September 27 in Nature Water, reveals how water systems like desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities could support the affordability and reliability of renewable energy.
The research introduces a framework for evaluating how water systems can adjust their energy use to balance the fluctuating supply and demand of the power grid.
“With grids shifting to renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, managing energy demand becomes challenging,” said Akshay Rao, lead author and Stanford environmental engineering PhD student.
“Our method helps water and energy operators coordinate to achieve both decarbonization and water reliability goals.”
Flexible water systems may offer cost-effective solutions to balance renewable energy supply and demand.As renewable energy grows, energy storage technologies like batteries are often used to balance the grid, but these can be costly. The study suggests that water systems, which consume 5% of the nation’s electricity, could offer an alternative by adjusting their operations in response to grid needs.
Researchers developed a framework that evaluates the energy flexibility of water systems compared to other storage options, such as lithium-ion batteries.
Testing on facilities in California, Texas, Florida, and New York demonstrated that these systems could shift up to 30% of their energy usage during peak times, reducing costs and relieving grid stress.
Desalination plants showed the highest potential for flexibility, adjusting water recovery, or pausing operations when energy prices spike.
This approach could help utility operators make informed decisions on plant operations, ultimately aiding the transition to renewable energy.
“Water systems can play a critical role in making renewable energy more affordable with the right investments and policies,” Rao added.