Updates: E-discussion on “Operationalizing water-energy nexus in Nepal” (9-20 March, 2014)

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vishnu pandey

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Mar 10, 2014, 6:29:14 AM3/10/14
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For those who have joined this discussion group after opening note:

We are pleased to welcome you in the e-discussion on “Operationalizing water-energy nexus in Nepal” organized jointly by Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM), Center of Research for Environment Energy and Water (CREEW), The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The e-discussion is one of the activities of Nepal National Water Week 2014 (NNWW-2014), a week long program since 2008 to celebrate World Water Day (22 March) and World Meteorological Day (23 March).

Discussion schedule: 2014.03.09 - 2014.03.20 (please discard error in the opening note)

Please feel free to circulate it to relevant persons/groups in your network

Sincerely Yours,
Vishnu

-----------------------------------------------
Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey
Research Faculty
Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM),
Knowledge Village, Khumaltar Height, P.O.Box 25, Nepal
Phone: (+977) 984-131-8939 (Cell), (01) 554-1179 (Off)


On Monday, 10 March 2014, 8:04, vishnu pandey <e_vishn...@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
Dear All,

We are pleased to welcome you in the e-discussion on “Operationalizing water-energy nexus in Nepal” organized jointly by Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM), Center of Research for Environment Energy and Water (CREEW), The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The e-discussion is one of many activities of Nepal National Water Week 2014 (NNWW-2014), a week long program since 2008 to celebrate World Water Day (22 March) and World Meteorological Day (23 March).


Please kindly circulate it to relevant persons/groups through your network
Sincerely Yours,
Vishnu
-----------------------------------------------
Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey
Research Faculty
Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM),
Knowledge Village, Khumaltar Height, P.O.Box 25, Nepal
Phone: (+977) 984-131-8939 (Cell), (01) 554-1179 (Off)
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vishnu pandey

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Mar 11, 2014, 10:04:47 PM3/11/14
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Dear All,
We have initiated discussion on very crucial issue of "Operationalizing water-energy nexus in Nepal" in this online platform since 9 March, which will continue until 20th.

A post from Mr. Gyan K. Chippi Shrestha suggests "Life Cycle Approach" as a way forward. I am sure many of you have very much interesting experiences, information and ideas. We highly encourage you to share your view points based on following sub-themes:
  • Current status of water-energy nexus research in Nepal: ongoing and planned research, their outcomes, lessons learnt
  • Barriers in operationalizing water-energy nexus in policies and practices
  • Experience from other parts of the world in operationalizing water-energy nexus in policies and practices
  • Ways forward

Few relevant literatures/resources which highlight on various aspects of water-energy nexus are listed hereunder for your references. All of them are available on Google for download.

1.    Translating Nexus Research into Nexus Policy-making: an interview with a senior research fellow at SEI: http://www.water-energy-food.org/en/news/view__630/translating-nexus-research-into-nexus-policy-making.html
3.    Mass C. (2010). Ontario’s water-energy nexus: Will we find ourselves in hot water or tap into opportunity? POLIS Research Report 10-01. Publisher: POLIS Project on Ecological Governance.
4.    Hoff, H. (2011). Understanding the Nexus. Background Paper for the Bonn2011 Conference: The Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus. Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm.
5.    Bizikova L., Roy D., Swanson D., Venema H.D.,  McCandless, M. (2013). The Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus: Towards a practical planning and decision-support framework for landscape investment and risk management. IISD Report, February 2013. Publisher: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

Expecting your active participation in discussion,

Sincerely Yours,
Moderators
Vishnu (AITM), Sangam (AIT), Dilli (SEN)

Giri Raj Khatri

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Mar 12, 2014, 1:06:56 AM3/12/14
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Dear All,  
First, I would like to express my sincere  thanks to  e-discussion organizers and moderators team for initiating the e-discussions.

The water-energy nexus is based on water for energy-  not limited to extraction/mining, hydropower, fuel production, emission control  and energy for water- not limited to extraction, treatment, transport, distribution, excess water and waste water treatment and reuse, and these are interlinked.

 

In this process the major stakeholders are: researchers/inventors; investor/owner (private sectors); policy makers/politician; and consumer/costumers. They should be focusing on their following roles for the effective operationalization of water-energy nexus as:

 

      i.        Researcher/inventor focuses to invent and develop energy efficient multiple use of water system and water efficient energy technologies

     ii.        Policy makers/politician: formulate policies that encourage and support high productive water-energy relationship

    iii.        Investor/owner: invest on  user friendly water-energy efficient technologies, value chain development, market creation etc.

    iv.        Consumer/costumer: good understanding on water-energy nexus and  change behaviors  for adopting those friendly options. 

 

The operationalization of water-energy nexus is very urgent for upgrading the lifestyle of people more sustainable and productive. Also, this nexus is equally important to contribute for climate change adaptation and mitigation alongside maintaining the global sustainability crisis. 




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URBANWATER is an online group created by Nepal National Water Week (NNWW) to conduct e discussion on the theme of World Water Day. NNWW has been celebrated in Nepal to commemorate the World Water Day (22nd March) and World Meteorological Day (23rd March) organizing a week long programs since 2008.
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 Giri Raj Khatri
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Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur Nepal
Skype ID: changegiri

vishnu pandey

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Mar 16, 2014, 10:12:12 PM3/16/14
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Dear All,

We have initiated e-discussion on very crucial issue of "Operationalizing water-energy nexus in Nepal" using this online platform. It will continue until 20th March. You are highly encouraged to share your views on following sub-themes:
  • Current status of water-energy nexus research in Nepal: ongoing and planned research, their outcomes, lessons learned??
  • Barriers in operationalizing water-energy nexus in policies and practices ?
  • Experience from other parts of the world in operationalizing water-energy nexus in policies and practices ??
  • Ways forward ??

Reshu Bashyal

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Mar 17, 2014, 2:47:15 AM3/17/14
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Namaste, I am Reshu Bashyal, student at CDES, TU.

First of all I would like to thank the organizing team for making such an appreciable initiation. It was really great to be a part of discussion and I got to know so many things related to water and energy in Nepal, the focus sectors, the future perspectives and many more. Such discussions are really informative for a student like me and thank you once again. 


Reshu Bashyal
Central Dept. of Environmental Sciences, TU
& Field Hearing Partner at IFE

pawan jha

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Mar 17, 2014, 12:38:58 AM3/17/14
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Dear Friends, 
 It is my pleasure to be the part of this e-discussion group. I am privileged to express my thoughts to moderator and all members here. Thank you!

Well, The provided discussion topic is very much interesting and quite relevant in 21'st century though it seems like a little bit complex. It is because,  The relationship between water and energy with operational activities, so far I understood, require a lots of rational as well as intellectual deliberations. 
 
Without reservation, We can say that there are Social, Cultural, and most important Economic activities are very much linked together either in individualistic or collectivism approach like this. When we come to the point of discussion on  "Operationalizing water-energy nexus"  I  would like to conclude few assumptions:- 

1)  Water is the most important asset for us as compare to any other resources available naturally. It has significant impact on all living beings tangibly or intangibly. We are social creature, We believe in Social norms, Social well fare, Social ethics and Social behavior. These all factors simultaneously work to move towards common national goal so as water-energy nexus.

2) Every cultural aspect has some short of limitations and strengths. It plays important role in formulation and implementation of any thoughts for example we have  water- energy nexus. I think we require deep understanding of culture of platform where we are focusing to. (When I am talking about culture here it means all possible theories of culture, Social culture, National culture, International Culture, Organizational culture and Individual culture, etc..)

3) As I mentioned above Economic is the crucial factor for any kinds of plan, strategy, formula and theories because we are in 21'st century. This world is mostly looking for profit. It could be either by profit growth or profitability. Energy requires every where from local level to international level. So if we treat water as an asset and capable to convince to all stake holders than this "operationalizing water -energy nexus" would possible create a new opportunity for scholar, activist and new generation for sustainable growth.

My dear Friend, Here I would not like to mention about Political activities, Environmental activities and Role of media, though it is important. It is because these all factors are driven by Socio-economic-cultural performance. 

Hence, In my conclusion I would like to mention that to make efficient and effective result in policy (political)  and environmental operational level we must identify and focus on core relation ship between natural resource (water)  with current global demand of energy through social, cultural and economical prospective. 

Thank you !


2)      

Gehendra Dhakal

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Mar 17, 2014, 4:49:03 AM3/17/14
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Dear Friends,

Thank you for the opportunity to share my views on the topic. My observations are as follows:

1. What is the actual water-energy potential that Nepal has? My research led me to the information that the total water-energy potential was quantified by an individual for his/her master's thesis. Since then, everyone cites the same figure. With all due respect, If this the only source, then  we might need to re-visit ans estimate what our potential is.

2. I also had opportunity to talk to a number of potential investors and the conclusion is that there is no single database that contains information on major rivers and their run-offs. If we have the information, then talking to potential investors may be more productive.

The topic of discussion may not match exactly, however, from the development perspective, these points may play a crucial role.

Thank you,

Gehendra Purush Dhakal, Ph,D.
Rishi Kuti, Kopundole, Lalitpur
Nepal

Email: gehe...@gmail.com


Sujata Manandhar

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Mar 17, 2014, 11:48:23 AM3/17/14
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Dear all, 

It is my pleasure to participate in this e-discussion and learn about an important issue- Water-Energy-Nexus in Nepal. Thanks to the organizers for arranging this discussion forum. I would like to share the following points in this forum.

Is water-energy nexus relevant in Nepal?
Nepal’s energy use for water services is likely to rise sharply in coming years. A rapidly growing population means increased demands for water. Declining water quality and availability in our watersheds could require more energy-intensive treatment processes, and pumping from greater distances and depths, to maintain a reliable water supply while protecting public health and environment. Future energy use for water could outstrip our ability to provide renewable energy if wasteful water practices continued to go unchecked.

The anticipated rise of energy-intensive treatment processes, the need to pump water from greater distances and depths, and population growth together suggests an exponential increase in the energy use to provide water services. Higher fuel costs coupled with an increased need for cooling and irrigation could mean steep increase in operating costs for manufacturers, farmers and homeowners. Declining water quality, for example, could mean significant increase in capital and energy costs if advanced treatment or importing of water were required to manufacture materials. Agricultural sector is similarly prone to water and energy related risks. Drought conditions and high fuel prices could put irrigators at increased financial risk.

Rising energy costs, the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a changing waterscape implies that water and energy conservation are fundamental to creating sustainable communities, farms and businesses in Nepal. However, research in understanding the water-energy nexus and operationalizing nexus approach in policy and practice is practically non-existence in Nepal.

Apart from Water-Energy, it is reasonable to bring Food & Carbon too in the nexus research, i.e. studying “Water-Energy-Food Nexus” and/or “Water-Energy-Carbon Nexus”. It is because, securing food and curbing greenhouse gas emissions are intimately linked with water and energy.

Ways forward: I agree with most of the suggestions from Mr. Giri Raj Khatri and would like to add few more:
· Research on how much would be total energy required for water-related services in cities of Nepal? à quantify the energy to heat, treat, deliver and remove water from communities, farms, businesses, institutions and power plants.
· Choose the water and energy soft path by prioritizing conservation of water and energy over new infrastructure. Recognize the impacts of new water infrastructure on energy use, and new energy infrastructure on water.
o Water-energy nexus is leading to new opportunities to save water, energy and costs. Griffiths-Sattenspiel & Wilson (2009) revealed that if every household in U.S. install water efficient fixtures and appliances, 38.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission could be avoided.
· Better integrate water and energy monitoring, reporting, management and efficient programs. Examine energy use and efficiency opportunities across economic sectors through a “water sector” lens that includes cold water, hot water and steam.
· Collaborate by bringing together water and energy expertise together to encourage development of innovative synergistic solutions
· Inform the public, policy makers and practitioners of the mutual benefits of reducing water and energy use.

Additionally, interested friends can check the attachment to read relevant case studies from other countries (China, India and Brazil). I would appreciate if anyone of you can share some other interesting cases or studies from other countries and Nepal if any.

Best,
Sujata


-----------------------------------------------------
Sujata Manandhar (Ph.D.)
JSPS Postdoctoral Research Fellow,
Department of Civil Engineering, Tohoku University,
Aoba-yama 6-6-06, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan

Understanding_the_Nexus.pdf

vishnu pandey

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Mar 17, 2014, 9:50:56 PM3/17/14
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Dear All,
We would like to thank Dr. Gehendra, Dr. Sujata, Mr. Utsav, Pawan & Reshu for their interesting posts on the theme of ongoing e-discussion. As indicated in the posts:
·         It is now the time to re-visit and re-estimate our water and energy potential based on latest tools and techniques. It could probably be a research area for those who would like to pursue research in this field
·         Lack of well harmonize database and nexus platform is a key barrier to operationalize water-energy nexus in Nepal
·         Not only water & energy, food & carbon should also be brought in the nexus approach. That is we should move towards analyzing “Water-Energy-Food Nexus” and “Water-Energy-Carbon” Nexus
·         Research, collaboration, choosing water & energy soft paths, better integration of water & energy monitoring/reporting programs, & information sharing to the public could be ways forward to operationalize water-energy nexus in Nepal
·         Role of media is crucial to inform & encourage the stakeholders to go for water & energy soft paths
 
We would encourage sharing information on completed/ongoing/planned research activities on “water-energy nexus in Nepal”. Additionally, we are expecting some viewpoints from AEPC (Alternative Energy Promotion Center) on barriers and ways forward to operationalize water-energy nexus in Nepal from the government’s perspective.
 
Sincerely Yours,
Vishnu Prasad Pandey
-----------------------------------------------
Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey
Research Faculty
Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM),
Knowledge Village, Khumaltar Height, P.O.Box: Lalitpur -25, Nepal
Phone: (+977) 984-131-8939 (Cell), (01) 554-1179 (Off)

Rabin Malla

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Mar 18, 2014, 9:50:22 AM3/18/14
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 Dear All,

It has been very interesting and good opportunity to learn from this e-discussions. It feels nice to know each others' view and and understanding. 
In addition to previous discussions, I feel it is equally important to review the important role of our traditional and indigenous knowledge and practices in our region. They have been providing us important clue to improve and innovate our existing knowledge and systems of water-energy nexus. Some of the examples from around the world could be:   

·         Water-related energy use in California consumes approximately 20 percent of the state's electricity.
·         Cindy Ridenour, owner of Meadow Maid Foods: her family minimizes fossil fuel inputs, such as operating farm equipment for hay production, by grazing beef cattle. She let them graze all summer, and stockpile feed for the winter. These animals live their entire life on the farm, and their hay is just a couple of percentage of their total feed over their lifetime.
·         San Antonio Water System (SAWS) & CPS Energy: recognize water-energy nexus in operational level and manage the two in tandem to help maintain reliable and sustainable supplies of the both. CPS Energy has used recycled water since 1963 to cool its power plant. SAWS provides upto 50,000 acre-feet of highly treated recycled water per year for CPS Energy.
·         Will Allen, founder of Growing Power: use age-old continuum of agricultural lessons and practices such as vermiculture, aquaponic and energy production. They take water out of mountains and as it passes down the mountain, they dig ponds and then grow fish in the ponds and the water passes through a series of ponds and it goes out to the valley to water the plants. We are promoting this kind of natural concepts, being practiced by humans since a long ago.
·         Wayne Koeckeritz, owner of Food Waste Disposal: They look food waste not as garbage but as a valuable resource.
 
Energy potential of waste water treatment plants: in addition to energy savings linked to best management practices and system optimization, substantial amounts of energy could be extracted from wastewater. Biogas and biosolids have an enormous potential to offset the energy needs of WWTPs.

Thank you very much.

Regards,

Dr. Rabin Malla
Center of Res. for Env. Energy & Water (CREEW)
Baluwatar, Kathmandu

Ram Dhital

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Mar 18, 2014, 11:24:07 PM3/18/14
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Dear Vishnuji and All,


I am sharing some of my thoughts on water energy nexus specially on renewable energy front.

As Nepal is known to be the country of water resources, we have  about 6000 rivers having drainage area of 191000 sq. km, 74 % of which lies in our soil alone. There are 33 main rivers having their drainage areas exceeding 1000 sq. km. According to the report published by WECS, The surface water available in the country is estimated to be about 225 billion m3  (BCM) per annum or equivalent to an average flow of 7,125 m3 /s, out of which only 15 BCM per annum is in use. Around 95.9% of 15 BCM has been used for agriculture, 3.8% for domestic purpose and only about 0.3% for industry. Despite the possession of such huge water resource all over the country, only about 80% of the country’s population has access to basic water supply and only about 1 of the gross hydro power potential has been tapped for power generation benefiting around 55% population . 
AEPC has been active since 1996 to address some of the energy issues by promoting renewable energy technologies in Nepal. AEPC promotes renewable energy not only to address the energy issue but also to address the issue of drinking water supply in rural areas. In the power generation front,  AEPC has supported installation of micro hydro power projects generating 25 MW capacity. In addressing water supply problem, some 136 solar water pumping projects have been installed in various rural area of Nepal.We follow public private partnership for RE service delivery. AEPC also provides financial subsidy and technical assistance to the project developers. The additional subsidy is provided to household with single woman, backward, disaster victim, poor, and endangered ethnic group as identified by the Government of Nepal. Even though the RE sector is considered to be matured, the sector faces many challenges. Some of the key challenges are:

Ambiguity on Policy and Regulatory Framework

AEPC so far has been involved in promoting micro/mini hydro power projects. There are other organizations like Ministry of Energy (MoE), Department of Electricity Development (DoED) and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) are also involved in mini/small hydro promotion. As we do not have an integrated energy policy, service delivery in water and energy sectors are fragmented.  

Lack of Skills and Knowledge to Implement Large RE Projects:

Nepal has developed the technical and managerial capacity and skills in the MH sector especially up to 100 kW. However, the capacity needs to be enhanced beyond 100 kW. Inadequate knowledge on the installation, management, operation and maintenance of large RE systems; insufficient capacities both in the knowledge and human resource for manufacturers, installers and maintenance technicians for hydro power plants above 100 kW, solar projects above 1 kW and biogas plants above 10 m3  are the main technical issues

Access to  finance and linking with other projects.

Renewable energy technologies require higher upfront costs than conventional energy technologies. If micro hydro projects are integrated water supply and irrigation, such projects can be considered as viable projects as they can generate multiple benefits and contribute to the economic enhancement of the society also.
So the potential areas of concerns are integrated data management, skill enhancement and linking energy with water projects.

Rgds
Ram
 
********************************************************
Ram Prasad Dhital
Assistant Director, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC)
Component Manager,Solar Energy Component, NRREP
Ministry of Environment,Science and Technology
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
Tel:+977-1-5548468/5539390/5539237(office)
Fax: +977-1-5542397
+977-98510-76005(mobile)
Email:ram.d...@aepc.gov.np
************************************************************

Sohan Shrestha

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Mar 18, 2014, 6:00:48 AM3/18/14
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Dear All;
We should expect some view points from Water and Energy Commission from the Government Side.
 
Best regards
 
Sohan
 
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:50:56 -0700
From: e_vishn...@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [e discussion: Water-energy nexus in Nepal] You are encouraged to share your opinions on "Operationalizing water-energy nexus in Nepal" (9-20 March)
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vishnu pandey

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Mar 20, 2014, 2:07:36 AM3/20/14
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Dear All,
1. It's good to read various intersting opinions from stakeholders with diverse background (academia, government agencies, NGOs, etc). This has certainly helped to understand the nexus further. We are in the process of synthesizing the viewpoints expressed on this e-discussion and will share a soft copy once gets ready.
2. We have decided to extend this e-discussion until 23rd March. If you have comments on the views expressed in the discussion or have different views, please feel free to share.
3. Older posts are available at: http://www.smallearth.org.np/detail.php?cid=191&id=6

Sincerely Yours,
Vishnu
-----------------------------------------------
Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey
Research Faculty
Asian Institute of Technology and Management (AITM),
Knowledge Village, Khumaltar Height, P.O.Box: Lalitpur -25, Nepal
Phone: (+977) 984-131-8939 (Cell), (01) 554-1179 (Off)
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