Editor's Note: Articles in this column were reviewed by the column editors but were not evaluated through the journal's peer review system

摘要

With heightened interest in groundwater availability to meet current and future water requirements, the complex linkages between water and energy are becoming increasingly important and continue to evolve. The energy industry uses significant fresh water resources (～8% worldwide and as much as 40% in developed countries) to meet global demands. Energy also serves to pump groundwater, treat source water as needed, deliver water, treat waste water and poor quality waters to augment the available sources of supply, and remediate polluted waters from a variety of sources, including energy production. Although increased competition will stem from pressures to meet global energy and water needs, opportunities will be presented for innovative, more efficient approaches to energy and water utilization.