The University of Arizona

Energy

Challenge

Our nation's growing dependence on fossil fuels leaves us vulnerable to factors beyond our control, and intensifies the greenhouse effect.

Energy generation in semi-arid environments also consumes vast amounts of water, while pumping, lifting, and treating water and wastewater are energy-intensive activities. The University of Arizona must lead by example to increase energy efficiency, adopt renewable energy supplies, and explore ways to better utilize solar energy.

Goals

  • To increase the sustainability of campus operations.
  • To advance the understanding of the energy-water nexus and encourage joint management of these critical resources.
  • To reduce energy and water use and make manufacturing processes more environmentally benign.
  • To promote student learning about energy conservation and passive solar design through field investigations of existing buildings and simulation of new and innovative sustainable projects.

Conservation


Bio-renewable

E85 Fuel on Campus

Solar

Solar Use on Campus

Energy-Water Nexus

Moving and treating water consumes energy, and producing energy nearly always consumes water: the two are tightly linked. The good news is that conservation of one results in savings of the other as well.

By understanding how much energy is required for various components of our water systems, we can identify opportunities for greater efficiency. In turn, by recognizing how much water is needed to produce various kinds of energy, we can move toward more water-efficient energy production.

A recent issue of Southwest Hydrology, a UA publication, explores both sides of the energy/water nexus: