This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.

Dr. Beatriz Mayor
ICATALIST, S.L., Calle Cifuentes, 5, 28021 Madrid, Spain

Basic Info


Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Water-energy-food nexus
0 Social and technological innovation
0 NBS business models
0 Climate change adaptation and green infrastructure
0 Integrated surface and groundwater management

Fingerprints

Water-energy-food nexus

Honors and Awards

The user has no records in this section


Career Timeline

The user has no records in this section.


Short Biography

The user biography is not available.
Following
Followers
Co Authors
The list of users this user is following is empty.
Following: 0 users

Feed

Journal article
Published: 02 July 2021 in Sustainability
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Nature-based solutions (NBS) offer multiple solutions to urban challenges simultaneously, but realising funding for NBS remains a challenge. When the concept of NBS for societal challenges was first defined by the EC in 2017, financing was recognised as one of the major challenges to its mainstreaming. The complexity of NBS finance has its origin in the multiple benefits/stakeholders involved, which obscures the argument for both public and private sector investment. Since 2017, subsequent waves of EU research- and innovation-funded projects have substantially contributed to the knowledge base of funding and business models for NBS, particularly in the urban context. Collaborating and sharing knowledge through an EU Task Force, this first set of EU projects laid important knowledge foundations, reviewing existing literature, and compiling empirical evidence of different financing approaches and the business models that underpinned them. The second set of EU innovation actions advanced this knowledge base, developing and testing new implementation models, business model tools, and approaches. This paper presents the findings of these projects from a business model perspective to improve our understanding of the value propositions of NBS to support their mainstreaming.

ACS Style

Beatriz Mayor; Helen Toxopeus; Siobhan McQuaid; Edoardo Croci; Benedetta Lucchitta; Suhana Reddy; Aitziber Egusquiza; Monica Altamirano; Tamara Trumbic; Andreas Tuerk; Gemma García; Efrén Feliu; Cosima Malandrino; Joanne Schante; Anne Jensen; Elena López Gunn. State of the Art and Latest Advances in Exploring Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions. Sustainability 2021, 13, 7413 .

AMA Style

Beatriz Mayor, Helen Toxopeus, Siobhan McQuaid, Edoardo Croci, Benedetta Lucchitta, Suhana Reddy, Aitziber Egusquiza, Monica Altamirano, Tamara Trumbic, Andreas Tuerk, Gemma García, Efrén Feliu, Cosima Malandrino, Joanne Schante, Anne Jensen, Elena López Gunn. State of the Art and Latest Advances in Exploring Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (13):7413.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Beatriz Mayor; Helen Toxopeus; Siobhan McQuaid; Edoardo Croci; Benedetta Lucchitta; Suhana Reddy; Aitziber Egusquiza; Monica Altamirano; Tamara Trumbic; Andreas Tuerk; Gemma García; Efrén Feliu; Cosima Malandrino; Joanne Schante; Anne Jensen; Elena López Gunn. 2021. "State of the Art and Latest Advances in Exploring Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions." Sustainability 13, no. 13: 7413.

Journal article
Published: 20 April 2021 in Ecological Economics
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Nature based solutions are proposed as integrated solutions to transform the current water intensive economic model to a more balanced model, where water is considered as an eco-social asset. We analyse the logic of action and underpinning belief systems, values, and norms of these evolving economic (and underpinning value) systems, through a conceptual frame based on a three layered institutional framework, considering new institutional economics and old institutionalism. This is applied to the case study of an intensively used aquifer of Medina del Campo in Spain, in relation to drought and water scarcity. We examine how water scarcity and drought are framed, and the implicit underpinning economic development models and values that help to legitimise decisions. It offers an application of the potential for natural assurance schemes as a specific type of nature based solutions to create safe landscapes and help transform the system through deep territorial transformation, based on a wider and deeper range of eco-social values. Systems which are more adaptable under climate change. The analysis of the definition of the problem (through individual stakeholder interviews) and the co-design of preferred choices through a series of participatory workshops led to the consideration of a wider range of options by stakeholders. We conclude that in Medina del Campo, the de-construction of the values and beliefs underpinning the concept of water scarcity as a problem, helps to re-construct adaptation to water scarcity as an opportunity for a more diversified and resilient economic model for long-term development. This is reflected in the selection of hybrid nature-based strategies (as compared to sole grey infrastructure strategies) that incorporate a broader range of values shifting from the single prioritisation of provision services to understanding water as a eco-social asset, encompassing the full range of ecosystem services, thus opening the decision-making space for additional long term climate resilient development.

ACS Style

Elena López Gunn; Marta Rica; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Laura Vay; Beatriz Mayor; Alessandro Pagano; Monica Altamirano; Rafaelle Giordano. The natural assurance value of nature-based solutions: A layered institutional analysis of socio ecological systems for long term climate resilient transformation. Ecological Economics 2021, 186, 107053 .

AMA Style

Elena López Gunn, Marta Rica, Pedro Zorrilla-Miras, Laura Vay, Beatriz Mayor, Alessandro Pagano, Monica Altamirano, Rafaelle Giordano. The natural assurance value of nature-based solutions: A layered institutional analysis of socio ecological systems for long term climate resilient transformation. Ecological Economics. 2021; 186 ():107053.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena López Gunn; Marta Rica; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Laura Vay; Beatriz Mayor; Alessandro Pagano; Monica Altamirano; Rafaelle Giordano. 2021. "The natural assurance value of nature-based solutions: A layered institutional analysis of socio ecological systems for long term climate resilient transformation." Ecological Economics 186, no. : 107053.

Journal article
Published: 17 February 2021 in Water
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Groundwater stored in aquifers experiences a wide variety of natural, induced and/or anthropogenic disturbances. Among them, groundwater extraction is the main disturbance that affects most of the aquifers in the world. Aquifer’s resilience, understood as the potential of the aquifer to sustain disturbances on the long term and to guarantee essential qualities and functions, provides a key tool when assessing sustainable groundwater management alternatives. The aim of this work is to illustrate an aquifer resilience framework that can support groundwater sustainable management. A theoretical framework is based on the identification of the key variables that parameterize the quantitative and qualitative responses of the groundwater flow system to pumping. An example from the literature based in Denmark is provided as an illustration of the proposed framework. The results show that long-term high quality data are essential to make a step further in aquifers dynamic responses. The quantitative understanding of the aquifer’s behavior before, during and after groundwater extraction provides a valuable source of information in order to identify thresholds of change (tipping points, transitions or regime shifts) which could permit pro-active groundwater management decisions. Moreover, a deeper understanding on the aquifer’s dynamics provides useful information in order to avert threats that may put the sustainability of the system at risk.

ACS Style

África Hera-Portillo; Julio López-Gutiérrez; Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn; Hans Henriksen; Ryle Gejl; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Pedro Martínez-Santos. An Initial Framework for Understanding the Resilience of Aquifers to Groundwater Pumping. Water 2021, 13, 519 .

AMA Style

África Hera-Portillo, Julio López-Gutiérrez, Beatriz Mayor, Elena López-Gunn, Hans Henriksen, Ryle Gejl, Pedro Zorrilla-Miras, Pedro Martínez-Santos. An Initial Framework for Understanding the Resilience of Aquifers to Groundwater Pumping. Water. 2021; 13 (4):519.

Chicago/Turabian Style

África Hera-Portillo; Julio López-Gutiérrez; Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn; Hans Henriksen; Ryle Gejl; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Pedro Martínez-Santos. 2021. "An Initial Framework for Understanding the Resilience of Aquifers to Groundwater Pumping." Water 13, no. 4: 519.

Journal article
Published: 26 January 2021 in Sustainability
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being promoted because they can solve different pursued aims together with providing an additional array of multiple ecosystem services or co-benefits. Nevertheless, their implementation is still being curbed by several barriers, for example, a lack of examples, a lack of finance, and a lack of business cases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to facilitate the construction of business models and business cases that identify the elements required to capture value. These are necessary to catalyze investments for the implementation of NBS. This article presents a tool called a Natural Assurance Schemes (NAS) canvas and explains how it can be applied to identify business models for NBS strategies providing climate adaptation services, showing an eye-shot summary of critical information to attract funding. The framework is applied in three case studies covering different contexts, scales, and climate-related risks (floods and droughts). Finally, a reflective analysis is done, comparing the tool with other similar approaches while highlighting the differential characteristics that define the usefulness, replicability, and flexibility of the tool for the target users, namely policymakers, developers, scientists, or entrepreneurs aiming to promote and implement NAS and NBS projects.

ACS Style

Beatriz Mayor; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Philippe Coent; Thomas Biffin; Kieran Dartée; Karina Peña; Nina Graveline; Roxane Marchal; Florentina Nanu; Albert Scrieciu; Javier Calatrava; Marisol Manzano; Elena López Gunn. Natural Assurance Schemes Canvas: A Framework to Develop Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions Aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1291 .

AMA Style

Beatriz Mayor, Pedro Zorrilla-Miras, Philippe Coent, Thomas Biffin, Kieran Dartée, Karina Peña, Nina Graveline, Roxane Marchal, Florentina Nanu, Albert Scrieciu, Javier Calatrava, Marisol Manzano, Elena López Gunn. Natural Assurance Schemes Canvas: A Framework to Develop Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions Aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (3):1291.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Beatriz Mayor; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Philippe Coent; Thomas Biffin; Kieran Dartée; Karina Peña; Nina Graveline; Roxane Marchal; Florentina Nanu; Albert Scrieciu; Javier Calatrava; Marisol Manzano; Elena López Gunn. 2021. "Natural Assurance Schemes Canvas: A Framework to Develop Business Models for Nature-Based Solutions Aimed at Disaster Risk Reduction." Sustainability 13, no. 3: 1291.

Journal article
Published: 25 June 2020 in Water
Reads 0
Downloads 0

We have witnessed the great changes that hydrogeological systems are facing in the last decades: rivers that have dried up; wetlands that have disappeared, leaving their buckets converted into farmland; and aquifers that have been intensively exploited for years, among others. Humans have caused the most part of these results that can be worsened by climate change, with delayed effects on groundwater quantity and quality. The consequences are negatively impacting ecosystems and dependent societies. The concept of resilience has not been extensively used in the hydrogeological research, and it can be a very useful concept that can improve the understanding and management of these systems. The aim of this work is to briefly discuss the role of resilience in the context of freshwater systems affected by either climate or anthropic actions as a way to increase our understanding of how anticipating negative changes (transitions) may contribute to improving the management of the system and preserving the services that it provides. First, the article presents the basic concepts applied to hydrogeological systems from the ecosystem’s resilience approach. Second, the factors controlling for hydrogeological systems’ responses to different impacts are commented upon. Third, a case study is analyzed and discussed. Finally, the useful implications of the concept are discussed.

ACS Style

África De La Hera-Portillo; Julio López-Gutiérrez; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn. The Ecosystem Resilience Concept Applied to Hydrogeological Systems: A General Approach. Water 2020, 12, 1824 .

AMA Style

África De La Hera-Portillo, Julio López-Gutiérrez, Pedro Zorrilla-Miras, Beatriz Mayor, Elena López-Gunn. The Ecosystem Resilience Concept Applied to Hydrogeological Systems: A General Approach. Water. 2020; 12 (6):1824.

Chicago/Turabian Style

África De La Hera-Portillo; Julio López-Gutiérrez; Pedro Zorrilla-Miras; Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn. 2020. "The Ecosystem Resilience Concept Applied to Hydrogeological Systems: A General Approach." Water 12, no. 6: 1824.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2020 in Water Resources Research
Reads 0
Downloads 0

As a technology develops and matures, both economies of scale and the lessons learned through experience drive down the cost over time. This article analyses and separates the effects of economies of scale and learning through experience on historical cost reductions for three mature desalination technologies: multi‐effect distillation (MED), multi‐flash distillation (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO). The analysis suggests that learning has been the dominant driver for cost reductions, with learning rates of 23%, 30% and 12% for MED, MSF and RO respectively when the effects of scale are removed. The highest influence of economies of scale is found for MED, with an exponential scale coefficient of 0.71 and the largest difference between a traditional or scale‐free estimation of the learning rate. MSF and RO showed smaller differences between the traditional and de‐scaled learning rates (only 3%), pointing at learning as the main factor driving their historical cost reductions. However, a trend break observed over the last 10 years mirrors an exhaustion of the potential for technical improvements, as well as an increasing complexity and non‐linearity of the factors influencing the systems' cost. The findings provide useful data and insights for integrated and economic modelling frameworks, while providing guidance to prevent overestimations of the learning effect due to the confounding influence of economies of scale effects associated to historical unit upscaling processes.

ACS Style

B. Mayor. Unraveling the Historical Economies of Scale and Learning Effects for Desalination Technologies. Water Resources Research 2020, 56, 1 .

AMA Style

B. Mayor. Unraveling the Historical Economies of Scale and Learning Effects for Desalination Technologies. Water Resources Research. 2020; 56 (2):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

B. Mayor. 2020. "Unraveling the Historical Economies of Scale and Learning Effects for Desalination Technologies." Water Resources Research 56, no. 2: 1.

Journal article
Published: 14 October 2019 in Ecological Indicators
Reads 0
Downloads 0

One technical solution often suggested for alleviating water scarcity is to increase the efficiency of irrigation water use. In Spain, several plans have been launched since 2000 to upgrade irrigation infrastructures and thereby achieve water savings equivalent to 2500 hm3/year and promote rural development. The present study uses a footprint approach to evaluate the impacts on land, water, energy, and carbon emissions of the implementation of irrigation modernization policies in agriculture in Spain between 2005 and 2011. The results show that during the period studied, the irrigated area remained stable (+0.3%), although there was a shift in crop patterns, with low-value non-permanent crops being replaced by high-value permanent crops. The water demand for irrigation decreased by 21%; half of this is explained by the shift in crop patterns and the reduction of the consumptive fraction (i.e., blue water footprint), and the other half by the cutback of return flows associated with the higher efficiency of the irrigation infrastructure. Changes in water demand have been accompanied by a progressive substitution of surface water for groundwater. Reduced water demand for irrigation has brought a reduction of 13% in water’s energy footprint and 25% in its carbon footprint. In relative terms, water efficiency (m3 consumed/m3 irrigated) has increased by 8%, although this has also increased the energy intensity (kWh/m3) to 9%. The emission rate (kgCO2 equiv/m3 irrigated) has decreased by 12% as a result of the drop in the emission factor of electricity production. Overall, irrigation modernization policies in Spain have supported the transition from an irrigation sector that is less technified and heavily dependent on surface water into one that is more productive and groundwater-based. From a resource-use perspective, such transition has contributed to stabilizing or even decreasing the irrigated land, and surpass the annual water savings target of 2500 hm3, although it has also made the sector more energy-dependent. Despite the overall positive outcomes, the observed water savings are masked by various synergistic factors, including favorable climatological conditions toward the end of the study period, which contributed strongly to curbing overall irrigation water demand. In the light of the higher frequency of observed droughts in Spain, the investments done so far do not guarantee that the planned water saving targets can be sustained if not complemented with additional measures like restricting irrigated area and/or setting caps for water intensive crops.

ACS Style

Barbara A. Willaarts; Yolanda Lechón; Beatriz Mayor; Cristina de la Rúa; Alberto Garrido. Cross-sectoral implications of the implementation of irrigation water use efficiency policies in Spain: A nexus footprint approach. Ecological Indicators 2019, 109, 105795 .

AMA Style

Barbara A. Willaarts, Yolanda Lechón, Beatriz Mayor, Cristina de la Rúa, Alberto Garrido. Cross-sectoral implications of the implementation of irrigation water use efficiency policies in Spain: A nexus footprint approach. Ecological Indicators. 2019; 109 ():105795.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barbara A. Willaarts; Yolanda Lechón; Beatriz Mayor; Cristina de la Rúa; Alberto Garrido. 2019. "Cross-sectoral implications of the implementation of irrigation water use efficiency policies in Spain: A nexus footprint approach." Ecological Indicators 109, no. : 105795.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2019 in One Earth
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Yoshihide Wada; Adriano Vinca; Simon Parkinson; Barbara Anna Willaarts; Piotr Magnuszewski; Junko Mochizuki; Beatriz Mayor; Yaoping Wang; Peter Burek; Edward Byers; Keywan Riahi; Volker Krey; Simon Langan; Michiel van Dijk; David Grey; Astrid Hillers; Robert Novak; Abhijit Mukherjee; Anindya Bhattacharya; Saurabh Bhardwaj; Shakil Ahmad Romshoo; Simi Thambi; Abubakr Muhammad; Ansir Ilyas; Asif Khan; Bakhshal Khan Lashari; Rasool Bux Mahar; Rasul Ghulam; Afreen Siddiqi; James Wescoat; Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran; Ather Ashraf; Balwinder Singh Sidhu; Jiang Tong. Co-designing Indus Water-Energy-Land Futures. One Earth 2019, 1, 185 -194.

AMA Style

Yoshihide Wada, Adriano Vinca, Simon Parkinson, Barbara Anna Willaarts, Piotr Magnuszewski, Junko Mochizuki, Beatriz Mayor, Yaoping Wang, Peter Burek, Edward Byers, Keywan Riahi, Volker Krey, Simon Langan, Michiel van Dijk, David Grey, Astrid Hillers, Robert Novak, Abhijit Mukherjee, Anindya Bhattacharya, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Simi Thambi, Abubakr Muhammad, Ansir Ilyas, Asif Khan, Bakhshal Khan Lashari, Rasool Bux Mahar, Rasul Ghulam, Afreen Siddiqi, James Wescoat, Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran, Ather Ashraf, Balwinder Singh Sidhu, Jiang Tong. Co-designing Indus Water-Energy-Land Futures. One Earth. 2019; 1 (2):185-194.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yoshihide Wada; Adriano Vinca; Simon Parkinson; Barbara Anna Willaarts; Piotr Magnuszewski; Junko Mochizuki; Beatriz Mayor; Yaoping Wang; Peter Burek; Edward Byers; Keywan Riahi; Volker Krey; Simon Langan; Michiel van Dijk; David Grey; Astrid Hillers; Robert Novak; Abhijit Mukherjee; Anindya Bhattacharya; Saurabh Bhardwaj; Shakil Ahmad Romshoo; Simi Thambi; Abubakr Muhammad; Ansir Ilyas; Asif Khan; Bakhshal Khan Lashari; Rasool Bux Mahar; Rasul Ghulam; Afreen Siddiqi; James Wescoat; Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran; Ather Ashraf; Balwinder Singh Sidhu; Jiang Tong. 2019. "Co-designing Indus Water-Energy-Land Futures." One Earth 1, no. 2: 185-194.

Journal article
Published: 05 February 2019 in Desalination
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This article uses logistic growth curves to analyze and compare the historical dynamics in technology deployment and unit upscaling experimented by the three main desalination technologies: multi-effect distillation (MED), multi-flash distillation (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO). It also explores whether these dynamics follow a number of patterns identified in another well studied technology family with increasing strategic importance for desalination, i.e. energy technologies. The analysis suggests that thermal technologies (MED and MSF) are in an advanced growth phase and approaching saturation, with deployment levels likely to peak before 2050. The logistic fit for RO lacks enough significance to derive meaningful future capacity projections. RO also shows a remarkably high average-to-maximum unit capacity ratio mirroring a modular and more granular nature. Meanwhile, the three technologies are found to meet a series of common patterns in the temporal and spatial sequence of deployment identified in energy technologies. Based on such patterns and technology natures, PV-RO hybrid systems may hold the highest potential to overcome the cost and energy footprint challenges of desalination in the future. This analysis can guide the integration of desalination into modelling frameworks intended to assess future technological scenarios to address water scarcity and sustainable development goals related challenges.

ACS Style

Beatriz Mayor. Growth patterns in mature desalination technologies and analogies with the energy field. Desalination 2019, 457, 75 -84.

AMA Style

Beatriz Mayor. Growth patterns in mature desalination technologies and analogies with the energy field. Desalination. 2019; 457 ():75-84.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Beatriz Mayor. 2019. "Growth patterns in mature desalination technologies and analogies with the energy field." Desalination 457, no. : 75-84.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2019 in Environmental Research Letters
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Simon Parkinson; Volker Krey; Daniel Huppmann; Taher Kahil; David McCollum; Oliver Fricko; Edward Byers; Matthew J Gidden; Beatriz Mayor; Zarrar Khan; Catherine Raptis; Narasimha D Rao; Nils Johnson; Yoshihide Wada; Ned Djilali; Keywan Riahi. Balancing clean water-climate change mitigation trade-offs. Environmental Research Letters 2019, 14, 014009 .

AMA Style

Simon Parkinson, Volker Krey, Daniel Huppmann, Taher Kahil, David McCollum, Oliver Fricko, Edward Byers, Matthew J Gidden, Beatriz Mayor, Zarrar Khan, Catherine Raptis, Narasimha D Rao, Nils Johnson, Yoshihide Wada, Ned Djilali, Keywan Riahi. Balancing clean water-climate change mitigation trade-offs. Environmental Research Letters. 2019; 14 (1):014009.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simon Parkinson; Volker Krey; Daniel Huppmann; Taher Kahil; David McCollum; Oliver Fricko; Edward Byers; Matthew J Gidden; Beatriz Mayor; Zarrar Khan; Catherine Raptis; Narasimha D Rao; Nils Johnson; Yoshihide Wada; Ned Djilali; Keywan Riahi. 2019. "Balancing clean water-climate change mitigation trade-offs." Environmental Research Letters 14, no. 1: 014009.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2018 in Environmental Science & Policy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Shale gas development has been heralded as a game changer that has had, and will continue to have, repercussions for energy scenarios around the world, and natural gas has been hailed as the transition fuel to a low carbon future. Shale gas production—made feasible and economical by advances in hydraulic fracturing—offers a solution in the face of increased demand, instability in key producing regions, and societal aversion to the risks of nuclear energy. This “golden future,” however, has come into conflict with increasing concerns over water. This paper examines policy and regulatory frameworks around hydraulic fracturing in Texas and Spain in order to consider the trade-offs—particularly at the expense of water security—that may occur as decision-makers pursue improvements in energy security. We compare regulatory, institutional, and cultural contexts in order to understand and evaluate the robustness of these frameworks to prevent the reduction in water security as a consequence of the pursuit of energy security. Paucity of data is discussed. We also consider questions such as disclosure of information to the public about water use or the chemical composition of frac fluids and public opinion about hydraulic fracturing. Lessons are drawn that may assist policymakers who seek to guarantee water security while pursuing energy security.

ACS Style

Regina M. Buono; Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn. A comparative study of water-related issues in the context of hydraulic fracturing in Texas and Spain. Environmental Science & Policy 2018, 90, 193 -200.

AMA Style

Regina M. Buono, Beatriz Mayor, Elena López-Gunn. A comparative study of water-related issues in the context of hydraulic fracturing in Texas and Spain. Environmental Science & Policy. 2018; 90 ():193-200.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Regina M. Buono; Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn. 2018. "A comparative study of water-related issues in the context of hydraulic fracturing in Texas and Spain." Environmental Science & Policy 90, no. : 193-200.

Journal article
Published: 06 October 2017 in Sustainability
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Hydropower has been increasingly seen as a two-fold solution to the provision of renewable energy and water storage. However, the massive deployment of both large and small scale hydropower projects has been reported to cause important environmental impacts at the basin scale. This study assesses the differential contributions to regional energy and water security of large (LHP) and small (SHP) scale hydropower deployment in the Spanish Duero basin, as well as associated cumulative environmental impacts. This is performed through a selection of indicators measured in absolute and relative terms. The results suggest that LHP deployment contributes more to energy and water security, performing better in 10 of the 12 indicators. It also shows higher absolute environmental impacts on flow regime and habitat loss. Meanwhile, when analyzed in relative terms, SHP shows greater impacts in all categories as a result of cumulative effects cascading along the rivers system. These findings suggest that optimizing the use of existing hydropower infrastructure would be beneficial for energy, water and environmental security. This could be implemented by substantially reducing the number of low capacity plants with almost no impact on final energy generation, while enhancing the pumping and storage potential of higher capacity plants.

ACS Style

Beatriz Mayor; Ignacio Rodríguez-Muñoz; Fermín Villarroya; Esperanza Montero; Elena López-Gunn. The Role of Large and Small Scale Hydropower for Energy and Water Security in the Spanish Duero Basin. Sustainability 2017, 9, 1807 .

AMA Style

Beatriz Mayor, Ignacio Rodríguez-Muñoz, Fermín Villarroya, Esperanza Montero, Elena López-Gunn. The Role of Large and Small Scale Hydropower for Energy and Water Security in the Spanish Duero Basin. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (10):1807.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Beatriz Mayor; Ignacio Rodríguez-Muñoz; Fermín Villarroya; Esperanza Montero; Elena López-Gunn. 2017. "The Role of Large and Small Scale Hydropower for Energy and Water Security in the Spanish Duero Basin." Sustainability 9, no. 10: 1807.

Articles
Published: 24 July 2015 in Water International
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This paper proposes a framework for the identification, assessment and analysis of the water–energy–food nexus at a basin scale. This methodology is applied to the Duero river basin in Spain to detect the most important conflicts derived from water, food and energy interdependencies. Some of the most important issues are the limitations posed by rising energy prices for irrigated agriculture due to modernization, limitations to water treatment, and the possible emergence of new water demands for energy by hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and enhanced bioenergy.

ACS Style

Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn; Fermín I. Villarroya; Esperanza Montero. Application of a water–energy–food nexus framework for the Duero river basin in Spain. Water International 2015, 40, 791 -808.

AMA Style

Beatriz Mayor, Elena López-Gunn, Fermín I. Villarroya, Esperanza Montero. Application of a water–energy–food nexus framework for the Duero river basin in Spain. Water International. 2015; 40 (5-6):791-808.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Beatriz Mayor; Elena López-Gunn; Fermín I. Villarroya; Esperanza Montero. 2015. "Application of a water–energy–food nexus framework for the Duero river basin in Spain." Water International 40, no. 5-6: 791-808.

Journal article
Published: 22 June 2015 in Hydrology Research
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The water-energy nexus has increasingly been recognized as one of the key factors underlying the sustainability and security of future water and energy supply. An improved understanding of this issue is required to guide political decision-making on the choice of technologies that can better lead towards water-energy efficient scenarios. One of the biggest challenges relies on the reduction of uncertainties over selected variables, and the analysis of trends and interrelations that may have an impact on the future of water and energy security. This paper presents the results of a Delphi study on prospective and future trends of the water-energy nexus and energy technologies. Based on the opinion and contributions of experts on the topic from different backgrounds, institutions and disciplines, the results indicate the importance of technology innovation and transfer as the main conditioning factors to achieve energy and water security. In terms of energy, biofuels and shale gas are perceived to have the highest potential impacts on water quantity and especially on water quality. Thus their evolution will be influential for future water and environmental security. Biofuels in particular, together with the rising demands for food, have the highest prospects for an increase in agricultural water withdrawals.

ACS Style

Beatriz Mayor; R. Rodríguez Casado; J. Landeta; E. López-Gunn; F. Villarroya. An expert outlook on water security and water for energy trends to 2030–2050. Hydrology Research 2015, 18, 1 -18.

AMA Style

Beatriz Mayor, R. Rodríguez Casado, J. Landeta, E. López-Gunn, F. Villarroya. An expert outlook on water security and water for energy trends to 2030–2050. Hydrology Research. 2015; 18 (1):1-18.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Beatriz Mayor; R. Rodríguez Casado; J. Landeta; E. López-Gunn; F. Villarroya. 2015. "An expert outlook on water security and water for energy trends to 2030–2050." Hydrology Research 18, no. 1: 1-18.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2013 in Aquatic Procedia
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Improving the efficiency of water use is usually presented as an opportunity for large water savings, particularly in the agricultural sector. Warnings that this may not translate into reduced consumption is sometimes associated with the rebound effect or Jevons paradox, an appealing concept that can be used to analyse and prevent unde ired consequences in the rush for efficiency gains. This article, based on the energy sector, shows that the concept helps to identify possible unintended consequences of increasing efficiency and shows how efficiency gains are shared in society. However, it might be conceptually misleading when applied to water since it reinforces a myth on the consideration of water savings and efficiency, and may be also too restrictive. The recent modernisation of irrigation practices in Spain highlights that the rebound effect is only one of many possible consequences of efficiency improvements.

ACS Style

A. Dumont; B. Mayor; E. López-Gunn. Is the Rebound Effect or Jevons Paradox a Useful Concept for better Management of Water Resources? Insights from the Irrigation Modernisation Process in Spain. Aquatic Procedia 2013, 1, 64 -76.

AMA Style

A. Dumont, B. Mayor, E. López-Gunn. Is the Rebound Effect or Jevons Paradox a Useful Concept for better Management of Water Resources? Insights from the Irrigation Modernisation Process in Spain. Aquatic Procedia. 2013; 1 ():64-76.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Dumont; B. Mayor; E. López-Gunn. 2013. "Is the Rebound Effect or Jevons Paradox a Useful Concept for better Management of Water Resources? Insights from the Irrigation Modernisation Process in Spain." Aquatic Procedia 1, no. : 64-76.