Solar Photovoltaic and Wind Energy Providing Water

• Published in: Global challenges Vol. 1; no. 5; pp. 1600022 - n/a
• Main Authors: Jones, Lawrence E., Olsson, Gustaf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken John Wiley & Sons, Inc 15.08.2017; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Canals; Clean energy; Cost control; Decentralization; Desalination; Drinking water; Economic development; Electric power; Electric power grids; Electricity distribution; Emission standards; Emissions; Energy industry; Energy poverty; Energy resources; Energy sources; Energy technology; Fossil fuels; Industrial plant emissions; Irrigation; Natural gas; photovoltaic; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Poverty; renewable energy; Renewable energy sources; Renewable energy technologies; Renewable resources; Review; Reviews; Solar cells; Solar energy; Solar power; Sustainable development; Urban areas; Urbanization; Water purification; Water shortages; Water supply; Water treatment; water‐energy nexus; wind energy; Wind power; Japan; India
• ISSN: 2056-6646; 2056-6646
• DOI: 10.1002/gch2.201600022

Renewable energy technologies can make a major contribution to universal access to both energy and water in a sustainable way. In many regions of the world with energy poverty there are abundant renewable energy sources. In this review it is described how solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy have a huge potential to supply clean water, in particular in areas with no grid connection. Off‐grid technologies can form a significant part of the solution, all the way from household level to village or community level. Small scale off‐grid systems can provide not only lighting but also energy for pumping to gain access to water and to purify and re‐use water. In rapidly growing peri‐urban areas electric power grids may be available but need to be complemented with decentralized energy sources. Solar and wind can be part of a new kind of hybrid energy supplies. It is noted that there is a confluence of factors, such as greater urbanization, population increase, economic development that will determine the energy mix. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of clean water and energy for all are strongly related and will depend to a large extent on solar PV and wind. Solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy are key tools to reach universal access to both energy and water, in particular in areas with no grid connection. The technology is widely scalable and can provide lighting, energy for pumping, water treatment and re‐use. Access to solar PV and wind is a key prerequisite to reach several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.