Search

• A multi-objective energy-water nexus optimization framework is established. • The provincial economic trade's impact on energy and water stress is quantified. • The economic development level is the key to optimize the resources reallocation. • The rapid trade growth among provinces may aggravate the risk of resource scarcity. With China's vast territory and high regional heterogeneity in the spatial energy and water resources distribution, provincial-level embodied energy (EE) and virtual water (VW) reallocation are critical to regional energy and water recourse management but unfortunately, remain far from completed. In this paper, considering the heterogeneity of energy and water resources endowments among provinces, we constructed a dual objectives optimization framework to minimize national energy stress and water stress. Also, we evaluated the EE and VW flows' synergy impact on mitigating energy and water stress. We found that the spatial resources reallocation has a significant role on mitigating energy and water stress in high-stress regions. The results show that the net energy inflow can increase by 33.5%, and the net water inflow can increase by 42.1% in high-stress regions. The EE and VW flows' impact on mitigating resource stress is affected by the spatial resource endowments' heterogeneity. The flows that have the most positive impact on mitigating regional energy and water stress are Shanxi-Jiangsu and Jiangxi-Shanghai, respectively, while the most negative flows are Jiangsu-Henan and Xinjiang-Heilongjiang, respectively. The EE and VW flows among provinces have synergy in mitigating energy and water stress. Policy makers should not only focus on the local resources' consumption, but on the inter-provincial recourse flow and spatial resource endowments' heterogeneity. Inter-provincial cooperation is recommended, with reducing the scale of EE and VW trade that has negative impact, which can mitigate regional energy and water stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A multi-objective optimization model is established for electric power sector. • Water consumption and carbon emissions from power generation are quantified. • Tradeoffs between water and carbon in electricity mix are evaluated. • Strategies for optimizing electricity mix and tasks distribution are proposed. Electric power sector is a significant water consumer and a major source of carbon emissions in China. Optimizing electricity mix is critical for maintaining a stable energy supply while addressing water stress and carbon emissions associated with power generation. In this study, we developed an optimization model with the dual objectives of mitigating the risk of water scarcity and cutting carbon emissions, by adjusting the electricity mix and power generation tasks of provincial grids. Using the weighted sum method, the optimization of grids is simulated based on a scenario analysis within specified equality and boundary constraints. We quantified the impact of the spatial distribution of thermal power and power generated from clean energies (hydropower, wind power, nuclear power, and solar power) on virtual water consumption and carbon emissions at a provincial level in China. The results suggested that transferring part of power generation tasks from water-deficient areas (e.g., Shandong and Jiangsu) to water-sufficient areas (e.g., Yunnan and Guangdong) could significantly mitigate water scarcity. Water consumption of power generation could be reduced by 34.7% in highly water-deficient areas if a water-prioritized scenario is implemented. Carbon emissions related to power generation could be reduced nationwide under a carbon-prioritized scenario and a water-carbon-balanced scenario. This model could provide a synergistic perspective for improving regional water and carbon performances based on changes in electricity mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]