Application and Evaluation of Water, Food and Energy (NEXUS) in Irrigation Networks Management Case Study of Zayandehrud Irrigation Network

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M. Sc. Graduate

2 Faculty member of Water Resources Engineering Department, Tarbiat Modares University

Abstract

The water, food and energy nexus is an important approach in a comprehensive assessment of water resource management policies. The main objective of the current research is providing a method for decision makers to analysis and quantitative assessment of water–food–energy nexus at the irrigation network level. Through the proposed method, indicators considering the water and energy consumption, water productivity, and energy productivity were suggested. Based on these indicators a water–food–energy nexus index (WFENI) was proposed. This research was conducted on irrigation networks located in the Zayandehrood basin in Isfahan province. The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) Model has been used to simulate the allocation of resources and basin utilization conditions. Different scenarios were analyzed to existing water resources, energy consumption, and crop patterns. Considering the normalized water productivity index solely, the best scenario is a 20% reduction in water release from zayandehrood dam, with a maximum value of 0.54 for the Nekouabad irrigation network. Based on the normalized energy productivity index, the best scenario is the blockage of illegal wells with a maximum value of 0.49 for the Northern Mahyar irrigation network. While, taking into account the combined index, the prioritization of scenarios in different networks has changed. The results of this research indicated that although each of the Productivity Index alone reflects the effects of each policies in different networks, but based on only one indicator, it is not possible to decide on the effectiveness of the policies. It can be stated that the simultaneous consideration of water, food and energy is essential in analyzing the operation of irrigation networks and in selecting best policies

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Irrigation & Drainage
Volume 14, Issue 1 - Serial Number 79
May and June 2020
Pages 275-285

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