Governing the water-energy nexus: new integrated management practices

Decarbonizing the energy system must go hand in hand with measures to increase water and energy security for a growing population. While water and energy resources are often managed separately, there is growing awareness of the benefits of integrating governance approaches in the two sectors - and of the risks of failing to do so. Building on their joint event at the 2014 World Water Week, the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the World Bank's Thirsty Energy Program will co-host a panel discussion on emerging approaches to governing the water-energy nexus and their role in building more resilient and climate-friendly infrastructure systems. Based on best practices from the field, participants will consider the role of integrated planning and modelling approaches in identifying key trade-offs and synergies when investing in the two sectors. In addition to presenting results of integrated modelling for South Africa, the panelists will discuss new insights on the potential of renewable energy solutions. 16:00 Welcome by moderator Dr Dominik Schäuble, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) Potsdam 16:05 Framing the session: on the need for integrated water and energy governance Dr Sybille Roehrkasten, IASS Potsdam 16:15 Can water constrain South Africa's energy future? Dr Diego Rodriguez, the World Bank 16:25 Renewable energy development in a resource-constrained environment Divyam Nagpal, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 16:35 Foster innovation and sustainability for the energy-water nexus Guillermo Bravo, Abengoa 16:45 Panel discussion with comments and questions from the audience Dr Sybille Roehrkasten, IASS Potsdam Dr Diego Rodriguez, the World Bank Dr Rabia Ferroukhi, IRENA Guillermo Bravo, Abengoa 17:25 Summary and wrap-up by moderator