In what could be an opportunity for wind power, the U.S. and China have agreed to extend their partnership on the energy-water nexus.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will invest $12.5 million for a new technical track under the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, which addresses water-related aspects of energy production and use. Wind energy – which uses little or no water – is seen as an ideal energy solution to fight water scarcity.
According to the DOE, the solicitation calls for the formation of a U.S-based consortium to work with Chinese counterparts to bolster collaborative efforts to help ensure energy, water and environmental security and combat climate change.
The consortium will be funded with $12.5 million of DOE support and $12.5 million of recipient cost share for a total of $25 million over a five-year period. The DOE investment will be matched by China, bringing the total investment to $50 million.
The collaborators will also study how water is used in energy production and electricity generation, as well as how to improve water quality, and availability for a diverse range of human applications. It builds on the contents of ‘The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenge and Opportunities,’ which the DOE issued in June 2014.
