Electric Power Conversion Applications

**113**

**1. Introduction**

**Chapter 7**

**Abstract**

Perspectives on Dual-

Arid Regions

*and Farayi Musharavati*

Purpose Smart Water Power

*Dana Alghool, Noora Al-Khalfan, Stabrag Attiya* 

nanogrid can be expanded for large scale applications are outlined.

renewable energy, nanogrid, energy semantics

**Keywords:** water conservation, energy efficiency, smart water, smart grids,

Water and energy are among the most important commodities in life. They support growth, development, and human survival on earth. Consequently, sustainable water and energy supply have become critical issues of consideration in most parts of the world [1, 2]. Moreover, the water and energy nexus has been a great subject of debate for decades [3, 4]. For example, the United Nations has predicted a 40% global shortfall of water availability by 2030 and a 50% global short fall on energy [5, 6]. In spite of these observations, the demand for energy has been on the rise as various national economies become more and more advanced. In addition, climate change

Infrastructures for Households in

In hot arid climates, freshwater and power are produced simultaneously through seawater desalination since these regions receive little rainfall. This results in a unique urban water/power cycle that often faces sustainability and resilience challenges. Elsewhere, such challenges have been addressed through smart grid technologies. This chapter explores opportunities and initiatives for implementing smart grid technologies at household level for a case study in Qatar. A functional dual-purpose smart water/power nanogrid is developed. The nanogrid includes multiloop systems for on-site water recycling and on-site power generation based on sustainability concepts. A prototype dual-purpose GSM-based smart water/ power nanogrid is assembled and tested in a laboratory. Results of case study implementation show that the proposed nanogrid can reduce energy and water consumptions at household level by 25 and 20%, respectively. Economic analysis shows that implementing the nanogrid at household level has a payback period of 10 years. Hence, larger-scale projects may improve investment paybacks. Extension of the nanogrid into a resilient communal microgrid and/or mesogrid is discussed based on the concept of energy semantics. The modularity of the nanogrid allows the design to be adapted for different scale applications. Perspectives on how the

## **Chapter 7**
