Paradigm Shift in the Water-energy Nexus Triggered by Environmental and Socio-economic Challenges

The water-energy nexus is a critical area of research, especially given the increasing demands for clean water and energy since the industrial revolution and changes in lifestyle. The interdependence between water and energy is profound: substantial volumes of water are required to produce energy from various sources, and conversely, significant energy is needed to produce potable water. Current challenges include the extensive use of water in oil and gas production, geothermal energy, and coal mining, as well as the high water consumption for cooling in thermal power plants. Simultaneously, the demand for freshwater is rising, exacerbated by contamination of water bodies and climate change impacts, particularly in the Global South. Recent studies have highlighted the energy-intensive nature of water reclamation, desalination, and irrigation processes, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions that leverage renewable energy sources.

This research topic aims to explore and develop sustainable solutions that utilize renewable energy to produce clean water without adversely impacting the environment and climate. The primary objectives include investigating new technologies for water treatment, reuse, and desalination powered by renewable energy, and developing methods to reduce water consumption in the energy generation sector. Key questions to be addressed include: How can renewable energy sources be effectively integrated into water treatment and desalination processes? What technological advancements are necessary to minimize water usage in energy production? These inquiries are crucial for advancing our understanding and implementation of sustainable practices in the water-energy nexus.

To gather further insights into the sustainable integration of renewable energy in water and energy systems, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Renewable energy-powered water treatment and desalination technologies
- Innovations in water reuse and reclamation processes
- Development of low-water-use technologies in energy production
- Optimization of energy consumption in water distribution and irrigation systems
- Advanced control systems for enhancing efficiency in water and energy cyber-physical systems
- Case studies on the implementation of renewable energy solutions in water and energy sectors
- Impact assessments of renewable energy integration on environmental and socio-economic factors

Keywords: Rational Usage of Water, Renewable Energy, Advanced Process Control, Real-Time Optimization, Expert Systems, Decision Support Systems, Water Treatment and Distribution, Desalination, Specific Energy

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.