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The UK must significantly increase water availability to meet its decarbonisation goals, according to new research led by our Department of Engineering and involving our Department of Earth Sciences.
The study assessed both existing and planned decarbonisation initiatives within key UK industrial clusters.
It looked at how their future water needs align with projected regional water availability.
It found that demand for water, driven by hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage technologies, will rise sharply by 2050.
To avoid future water shortages, researchers recommend measures including water recycling, seawater desalination, and improved water management.
Water availability versus demand
The research focused on projected water availability versus demand from hydrogen production (seen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels) and carbon capture and storage (which removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and stores it).
Producing 30kg of hydrogen or capturing 3kg of CO2 requires approximately one litre of water.
Using spatial analysis and computer modelling, the researchers found that additional water demand from associated decarbonisation projects could reach 860 million litres per day (plus or minus 150 million litres) by 2050.
The study covered five UK water company regions: Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent Water, United Utilities, and Yorkshire Water. Significant water deficits are projected for Anglian Water and United Utilities by 2030 and for Yorkshire Water by 2040.
Easing pressure on water availability
To ease the pressure on water availability, our researchers recommend:
- Enhancing water recycling, water cooling efficiency and advanced treatment technologies.
- Strengthening collaboration between decarbonisation project managers and water companies.
- Establishing regional desalination hubs to convert seawater for industrial use.
- Improving inter-regional water sharing between areas with surplus and deficit supplies.
- Implementing better water monitoring and management to ensure sustainable use.
The UK aims to capture and store 20 to 30 Megatonnes of CO2 and produce 10 Gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen annually by 2030.
According to the Environment Agency, England faces a shortfall in public water supplies of nearly five billion litres per day by 2055, and a further one billion litres a day shortfall in the wider economy.
