Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in Malaysia

Abstract Freshwater is an essential resource used to generate electricity at coal-fired power plants. Previous literature has shown that a few states in Malaysia will face a high risk of water stress. Hence, coal-fired power plants located at risk states are exposed to potential water risk. This stu...

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Main Authors: Nurul Hani Mardi, Lee Woen Ean, Marlinda Abdul Malek, Kok Hua Chua, Ali Najah Ahmed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2023-07-01
Series:Environmental Sciences Europe
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-023-00759-8
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author Nurul Hani Mardi
Lee Woen Ean
Marlinda Abdul Malek
Kok Hua Chua
Ali Najah Ahmed
author_facet Nurul Hani Mardi
Lee Woen Ean
Marlinda Abdul Malek
Kok Hua Chua
Ali Najah Ahmed
author_sort Nurul Hani Mardi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Freshwater is an essential resource used to generate electricity at coal-fired power plants. Previous literature has shown that a few states in Malaysia will face a high risk of water stress. Hence, coal-fired power plants located at risk states are exposed to potential water risk. This study aims (i) to determine the operational blue water footprint at coal-fired power plant from 2009 until 2020; (ii) to assess the water stress index at Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor; and (iii) to compare the water deficit impact across three states. This study accounted the operational water footprint using Water Footprint Assessment Global Manual. The study boundary focuses on water consumption of generating electricity at operational level. The water stress index was assessed based on ratio of water demand and water availability at Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor watershed. Next water deficit impact was determined to compare the impact of operational blue water footprint on local water resources. Data for this study were collected from the state’s water authority, published literature, national reports, and statistics. Result of this study found the average operational blue water footprint recorded by coal-fired power plant located at Perak is 0.11 m3/MWh followed 0.09 m3/MWh (Johor) and 0.04 m3/MWh (Negeri Sembilan). Water stress index at Perak and Negeri Sembilan shows moderate water stress, whereas Johor indicates low water stress index. The water deficit result shows Perak has the highest total water deficit at 12,542,824 m3H2Oeqn from 2009 to 2020. This is due to moderate water stress condition at Perak and the total blue water footprint of coal-fired power plant at Perak is 67% and 42% more as compared to Negeri Sembilan and Johor, respectively. The result from this study is useful in enhancing understanding of water consumption pattern at coal-fired power plant and its impact on state’s water resources for future electricity scenarios.
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spelling doaj.art-463a0b78fb024248bd6aa924522a7b9e2023-07-16T11:12:01ZengSpringerOpenEnvironmental Sciences Europe2190-47152023-07-0135111510.1186/s12302-023-00759-8Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in MalaysiaNurul Hani Mardi0Lee Woen Ean1Marlinda Abdul Malek2Kok Hua Chua3Ali Najah Ahmed4Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti Tenaga NasionalInstitute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti Tenaga NasionalScataclysmic Management and Sustainable Development Research Group (CAMSDE), Department of Civil Engineering, Kulliyah of Engineering, International Islamic University MalaysiaInstitute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti Tenaga NasionalInstitute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti Tenaga NasionalAbstract Freshwater is an essential resource used to generate electricity at coal-fired power plants. Previous literature has shown that a few states in Malaysia will face a high risk of water stress. Hence, coal-fired power plants located at risk states are exposed to potential water risk. This study aims (i) to determine the operational blue water footprint at coal-fired power plant from 2009 until 2020; (ii) to assess the water stress index at Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor; and (iii) to compare the water deficit impact across three states. This study accounted the operational water footprint using Water Footprint Assessment Global Manual. The study boundary focuses on water consumption of generating electricity at operational level. The water stress index was assessed based on ratio of water demand and water availability at Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor watershed. Next water deficit impact was determined to compare the impact of operational blue water footprint on local water resources. Data for this study were collected from the state’s water authority, published literature, national reports, and statistics. Result of this study found the average operational blue water footprint recorded by coal-fired power plant located at Perak is 0.11 m3/MWh followed 0.09 m3/MWh (Johor) and 0.04 m3/MWh (Negeri Sembilan). Water stress index at Perak and Negeri Sembilan shows moderate water stress, whereas Johor indicates low water stress index. The water deficit result shows Perak has the highest total water deficit at 12,542,824 m3H2Oeqn from 2009 to 2020. This is due to moderate water stress condition at Perak and the total blue water footprint of coal-fired power plant at Perak is 67% and 42% more as compared to Negeri Sembilan and Johor, respectively. The result from this study is useful in enhancing understanding of water consumption pattern at coal-fired power plant and its impact on state’s water resources for future electricity scenarios.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-023-00759-8Water–energyBlue water footprintCoal-fired power plantWater stress indexWater deficit
spellingShingle Nurul Hani Mardi
Lee Woen Ean
Marlinda Abdul Malek
Kok Hua Chua
Ali Najah Ahmed
Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in Malaysia
Environmental Sciences Europe
Water–energy
Blue water footprint
Coal-fired power plant
Water stress index
Water deficit
title Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in Malaysia
title_full Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in Malaysia
title_fullStr Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in Malaysia
title_short Operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal-fired power plants: case study in Malaysia
title_sort operational blue water footprint and water deficit assessment of coal fired power plants case study in malaysia
topic Water–energy
Blue water footprint
Coal-fired power plant
Water stress index
Water deficit
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-023-00759-8
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