Analysing the Water–Energy Nexus Considering Rainwater Harvesting in Buildings
2025
Tânia Mara Sebben Oneda | Enedir Ghisi
Rainwater harvesting has been widely discussed globally due to major concerns regarding climate change and water scarcity. This paper aims to analyse and evaluate rainwater harvesting in buildings and its relationship with the water&ndash:energy nexus. Five types of buildings were analysed: public, industrial, commercial, single-family houses, and multi-family residential buildings within the Cubatã:o do Norte river watershed in Joinville, Brazil. Using simulations in the Netuno programme, the potential for potable water savings was calculated. This potential was compared to the energy consumption for potable water treatment by the municipality. The average potential for potable water savings was the following: 28.18% for public buildings, 50.83% for industrial buildings, 34.12% for commercial buildings, 23.12% for single-family houses, and 18.55% for multi-family residential buildings. After analysing the energy savings for the entire watershed, the average savings were 245 kWh/day for all public sector buildings, 209 kWh/day for all industrial sector buildings, 8 kWh/day for all commercial sector buildings, 25 kWh/day for all single-family houses, and 15 kWh/day for all multi-family residential buildings. Over a year, energy savings can range from 135,426 kWh to 240,900 kWh in all the buildings studied in Joinville. Finally, further studies on the water&ndash:energy nexus are needed to make cities more resilient and sustainable in terms of using resources.
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