Home > News + Events > IEA workshops

The papers in these workshops represent the personal views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their companies, organisations or the IEA.

Workshop on Renewable Energy & Water
Location and date(s) of workshop:	IEA, Paris: 23 March 2009
Organiser(s):	IEA Working Party on Renewable Energy Technologies (55th Meeting)
Background:	Lack of water security is a serious and growing global crisis. Water security can be defined as the ability to access sufficient quantities of clean water in order to maintain adequate standards of food and goods production, sanitation and health. Many parts of the developing world already face significant water shortages, with severe implications. In coming years, the problem will become more widespread, extending to developed countries. Complicating this crisis is the inextricable linkage between water and energy. To address water security issues, one must have the energy to extract water from underground aquifers, transport water through canals and pipes, manage and treat impaired water for reuse, and desalinate brackish and sea water to provide new freshwater supplies. But just as access to clean and affordable water is limited, so too, is access to affordable energy. Energy can play a key role in delivering clean water. The objective of the workshop is to describe the energy and climate context of the water issue and specifically assess the potential role of renewable energy sources in delivering clean water. Please note: participation is by invitation only.
Links to relevant documents:	Background information Programme
Proceedings:	Presentations Water Scarcity and Water Security: the Scientific Evidence & Management Implications Mr Johan Kuylenstierna, UN Water, FAO Water Scarcity and Water Security: Political Implications Mr Roberto Vigotti, REWP Chairman and Dr Allan Hoffman, US Department of Energy The Impacts of Climate Change on Water for RE Production: the Bioenergy case Mr Horst Fehrenbach, IFEU, Germany The Role of Photovoltaic Power Systems in Delivering Clean Water Mr Stefan Nowak, IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Implementing Agreement Hydropower, Water Security and Climate Change Mr Kazuhiko Yamada, IEA Hydropower Implementing Agreement The Role of Solar Thermodynamic Systems in Delivering Clean Water Mr Christoph Richter, IEA SolarPACES Implementing Agreement The Role of Ocean Energy Systems in Delivering Clean Water Mr John Huckerby, IEA Ocean Energy Systems Implementing Agreement The Role of Wind Farms in Delivering Clean Water Mr Brian Smith, IEA Wind Implementing Agreement Current Status of Interaction between Water Issues and Energy Efficiency/RET: New Technology Development and Potential Application in the Western United States Ms Katherine Young, National RE Lab, US Department of Energy Combined Solar Power and Desalination Plants: Update on the MED-CSD project Mr Franz Trieb, DLR, Germany Renewable Energy-powered Desalination Units: Achievements of the ADU-RES Research Project Mr Michael Papapetrou, WIP-Munich, Germany New Technologies for Water & Power Dr Jacob van Berkel, Technical University Eindhoven, The Netherlands