Joint modeling of water and energy for resilience and flexibility

The white paper focuses on the intersection of energy and potable water systems through joint modeling to enhance resilience, flexibility, and operational efficiency. The paper identifies the lack of integrated modeling tools as the primary obstacle in managing interconnected water and power systems. Current utilities often operate in silos, with water system loads represented simplistically in energy models. This disconnect limits the ability to optimize energy usage, manage flexible loads, or coordinate during emergencies. Emerging technologies such as desalination, water reuse, and membrane filtration offer new avenues for joint flexibility and co-optimization. Developing integrated, data-driven models that reflect real-world temporal and spatial system dynamics could improve both short-term operations and long-term planning. Success can be defined across three domains: (i) improved grid reliability and flexibility, (ii) operational efficiency, and (iii) coordinated disaster response and recovery.