| Author | Joshi, Mimansha |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science in
Climate Change and Sustainable Development, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Urban water services are challenged from different dimensions of sustainability. Although
not evident, water services consume a considerable amount of energy through extraction,
treatment, distribution and conveyance. While a myriad number of studies have been carried
out globally to quantify WEC nexus in urban water supply systems, only a handful of studies
have been carried out in Asia.
In view of above, this thesis has identified the energy link and factors to each stage of Urban
Water Supply Cycle. It has also estimated the existing energy and carbon footprint from the
cycle, which further expands to examining how the energy implications change when new
planned water supply is operational in Kathmandu valley. The thesis is mostly governed by
pump calculations for energy consumption through abstraction and through the
understanding of several parameters involved through literature reviews, it has attempted to
provide directions for methods and mechanisms to quantify the energy consumption and
carbon emissions from urban water supply system. It uses secondary data achieved through
interactions with concerned stakeholders and through best estimations and assumptions.
The study revealed that about 250 GWh – 286 GWh of energy is used for water supply in
Kathmandu valley, accounting for 0.04% of total energy consumption of Kathmandu. The
study also looks into identifying potential scenarios for cost and energy savings by
accounting the plausibility of eliminating energy and carbon intensive aspects.
The study found that households and private tankers were very energy intensive. On
assuming that water distribution through private tankers are eliminated after planned water
supply system is operational, the valley can save about 140 GWh of energy and about 35
ktCO2e carbon emissions as the energy intensity decreases from 12.77 kWh/m3 to 2.72
kWh/m3. Furthermore, as groundwater extraction gets reduced by 12% after MWSP,
Kathmandu will be able to save about Rs. 7 million a year.
As a result, the study aims to contribute to the formulation of a policy in water and energy
sectors to fulfill the objective of reducing GHG emissions. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Climate Change and Sustainable Development (CC) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dhakal, Shobhakar ; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shrestha, Sangam ;Vilas Nitivattananon; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship; |