Integrating the WEAP and LEAP systems to support planning and analysis at the water-energy nexus

Water and energy systems have historically been treated as separate realms, with little consideration of one in the planning of the other, and little discussion of interactions between the two. Yet in reality, they are closely interlinked. Water is needed in the vast majority of global energy production systems – for fuel extraction and processing, in hydropower production, and for power-plant cooling, among other uses. And energy is essential for pumping, treating and distributing water.

Efforts to address climate change have heightened awareness of these linkages – the “water-energy nexus” – and of the need to integrate water and energy planning and decision-making, especially in areas facing water scarcity. Yet even as recognition of these issues has grown, a lack of suitable tools has hindered efforts to address key questions at the water-energy nexus.

Through this project, SEI linked LEAP (the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning system) and WEAP (Water Evaluation And Planning system), making it easy to exchange key model parameters and results, such as hydropower generated or cooling water requirements. Used together, LEAP and WEAP can now represent evolving conditions in both water and energy systems, allowing planners to see the implications for each of a wide range of scenarios and policy choices.

Download the factsheet (PDF, 346kb)