Title: The Energy-Water Nexus and the Role of Civil Engineers: Interdisciplinary 
Systems Analysis


    Abstract: The energy-water nexus is a complex relationship between different energy 
and water resources. The energy sector depends on water for mining and refining 
conventional fuels, cooling thermoelectric power plants, cultivating feedstocks and 
processing biofuels, and hydraulic fracturing of unconventional fuels. The water 
sector depends on energy for collecting source water, treating and distributing 
drinking water, end-use water heating, collecting and treating wastewater, and 
reusing water. Consequently, water challenges can translate to energy challenges, 
and vice versa. Fortunately, civil engineers can play a valuable role in 
implementing technology and policy strategies to better manage energy and water. 
This seminar will present methods and results of interdisciplinary systems analysis 
applied to energy-water nexus situations, revealing some of the possible areas in 
which civil engineers can contribute to sustainable energy and water management.