Understanding the Water-Energy Nexus: A Princeton University Case Study

Abstract

The water-energy nexus is composed of areas in which water and energy use intersect. In order to more fully understand the this nexus, first the water, then the energy sectors are looked at as individual entities, followed by a more thorough examination of the overlap. While the objective of this thesis is to understand the water-energy nexus more broadly, much of the data and analytical work is conducted on the Princeton University campus in order to provide a consistent and easily comprehendible medium about which to study the nexus. It was found that while the embedded energy in water supply is overall insignificant in comparison to the total campus energy demand, the embedded water in campus energy is a significant portion of the total campus water. Decreasing the campus chilled water demand can best reduce both embedded and total water. It was shown that a reduction of campus chilled water demand to 60% of current supply, which amounts to an overall campus energy demand reduction to 89%, can reduce the total campus water (which includes campus water demand and embedded water) by 7%. Overall, reductions in campus energy are shown to be the most significant in increasing campus sustainability and conservation. Using this, and knowledge obtained from potential future research, Princeton University can make more informed and effective decisions in regards to reducing campus water and energy usages.