Integrated Water Systems Research

NREL's integrated water systems research focuses on the nexus of the energy, water, land, atmospheric, and urban sectors.

Integrated water systems research focuses on the complex challenges and opportunities that exist at the intersection of energy supply and water system infrastructure in multiple land use scenarios and with a changing climate change. Global water resources are finite and this important research area, coupled with NREL's depth of expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure, uniquely position our researchers to help provide decision-support services to partners across the globe.

NREL's depth of expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure uniquely position our researchers to address complex challenges and opportunities that exist at the intersection of energy and water systems under climate change while providing decision support services to partners across the globe. From our high-resolution systems modeling capabilities to our world-class integration infrastructure facilities, NREL simulates water and energy systems together at scale. In addition, our advanced water treatment and integrated water technology research spans fundamental development to validation, demonstration, and deployment.

Capabilities

NREL offers the following integrated water systems capabilities.

Nexus Systems Modeling and Analysis

We perform cutting-edge analysis and develop unique multisector and multiscale model frameworks to address critical planning and operational decisions at the energy-water-land nexus, , including climate change impacts on the energy and water sectors.

Water and Power Systems Integration

NREL researchers evaluate synergies between energy and water infrastructure to identify opportunities where greater integration can lead to mutual benefits and improved reliability and resilience across these sectors.

Advanced Water Treatment

NREL investigates novel treatment technologies and treatment trains, along with innovative manufacturing practices, to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of water treatment and delivery at premise, community, regional, and national scales.

Technology Development, Validation, Demonstration, and Deployment

We provide on-the-ground expertise to support the development, validation, demonstration, and deployment of practical and efficient water technologies and integrated solutions.

Decision Science, Support, and Informatics

NREL provides objective, technology-neutral support to help decision makers address technical, policy, social, and economic barriers to support optimized energy-water-land system integration with a changing climate.

Publications

Developing an Equity-Focused Metric for Quantifying the Social Burden of Infrastructure Disruptions, NREL Technical Report (2023)

A Multi-Model Framework for Assessing Long- and Short-Term Climate Influences on the Electric Grid, Applied Energy (2022)

View all NREL publications about integrated water systems research.

Feature Stories and Additional Resources

New Water Treatment Technology Could Help Recycle Even Super Salty Waters (2023)

NREL Research Is Insane in the Membrane (2023)

Contacts