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Water vs. Energy

Our thirst for water competes with our hunger for energy. Only radical new ideas will get us out of this mess.

In the American Southwest, the Energy Problem Is Water

Energy producers on the Colorado River are struggling

13 min read

Australia’s Drought-Busting Water Grid

In the driest continent, saving water means spending watts

15 min read

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Water vs. Energy

The Coming Clash Between Water and Energy

Our thirst for water competes with our hunger for energy. Only radical new ideas will get us out of this mess

In the American Southwest, the Energy Problem Is Water

Energy producers on the Colorado River are struggling

Water and Shale Gas

New drilling techniques have increased the amount of gas that’s accessible, but whether it’s truly recoverable may hinge on whether concerns about water are addressed convincingly

The Future of Hydropower

Predicting river flows in decades to come is tough, but there’s still lots of hydropower potential to be had

The Water Cost of Carbon Capture

Coal power’s carbon savior could double its water woes

Map: China Rewires Its Rivers

A massive water diversion project aims to slake the north’s thirst

CO2 vs. H2O in Power Production

Plotting trade-offs from wind to coal

Australia’s Drought-Busting Water Grid

In the driest continent, saving water means spending watts

Biofuel’s Water Problem

Irrigating biofuel crops on a grand scale would be disastrous

Pumping Punjab Dry

Cheap energy endangers India’s ability to feed itself

Singapore’s Water Cycle Wizardry

Singapore’s toilet-to-tap technology has saved the country from shortages—and a large electricity bill

Eight Technologies for Drinkable Seawater

Desalination takes too much energy, but emerging technologies will help

Malta’s Smart Grid Solution

The world’s first multiutility grid should save water and money

Powered by Crazy

These water and energy schemes are so crazy they just might work

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Water vs. Energy

Our thirst for water competes with our hunger for energy. Only radical new ideas will get us out of this mess

Energy producers on the Colorado River are struggling

New drilling techniques have increased the amount of gas that’s accessible, but whether it’s truly recoverable may hinge on whether concerns about water are addressed convincingly

Predicting river flows in decades to come is tough, but there’s still lots of hydropower potential to be had

Coal power’s carbon savior could double its water woes

A massive water diversion project aims to slake the north’s thirst

Plotting trade-offs from wind to coal

In the driest continent, saving water means spending watts

Irrigating biofuel crops on a grand scale would be disastrous

Cheap energy endangers India’s ability to feed itself

Singapore’s toilet-to-tap technology has saved the country from shortages—and a large electricity bill

Desalination takes too much energy, but emerging technologies will help

The world’s first multiutility grid should save water and money

These water and energy schemes are so crazy they just might work