Event description

The achievement of many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will depend on a sustainable and reliable supply of water, energy and water-energy synergies. The current water and energy systems are interdependent yet they operate in relative isolation.

Energy production and distribution is often a national issue, while water is within the remit of regions and municipalities. Therefore, examining the interplay – the “nexus” – between energy and water provides a holistic and systemic view on these complex and critical issues.

Both technology-specific and systemic approaches to the energy-water nexus are needed. Advances in research and analysis have resulted in innovative technologies and integrated approaches to efficient use of energy, water, or both.

This workshop aims to gain further understanding of the issues of the energy-water nexus and to highlight best practice and opportunities, including integrated systems, governance, regulations and markets (national, inter-regional or international). Participants will explore opportunities for addressing the energy-water nexus in order to inform more effective R&D planning and policies.

It will result in a summary report which identifies challenges and opportunities of the water and energy nexus and present perspectives and best practice.

The workshop has been organised under the auspices of the IEA Experts’ Group on R&D Priority Setting and Evaluation (EGRD), an advisory body to the IEA Committee on Energy Research and Technology (CERT). The EGRD examines analytical approaches to energy technologies, policies, and R&D on targeted, timely topics. The event is hosted by the European Commission.

More information

For presentations and proceedings of the workshop, please visit the organiser's website, where you can also find out more about the EGRD.

For more information, contact Carrie Pottinger, EGRD Secretary, at carrie.pottinger@iea.org or Cristina Diez Santos, IHA analyst, at cds@hydropower.org