Investigating Water Security in the U.A.E. Through a Holistic Integrated Analysis of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Abstract

The synergies and trade-offs between the water, energy, and food sectors are represented by the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. The Nexus Approach is an integrated decision making practice that can be used by policy makers to optimize these synergies and manage trade-offs. One of the main challenges in successfully exercising the Nexus Approach is the difficulty of holistically quantifying Nexus interactions. Even between Nexus modelling tool developers, a consensus does not exist on how to drive a combined effort towards modelling the Nexus. The research in this thesis designs this unified framework to create a consensus between WaterEnergy-Food Nexus modelling tool developers, thus allowing research efforts in the field of the Nexus to be focused on bolstering the understanding of Nexus interactions and building holistic modelling tools. DSM theory was used to design the holistic framework because of its ability to address interdependency, its focus on representing information flows, and its capability of identifying a practical sequence in complex systems; attributes that could prove valuable in tackling the complex nature of the Nexus. Designing the framework using DSM theory made it possible for the framework to achieve the primary characteristics required to meet the Nexus Approach gaps: flexible, integrated, systematic. It also revealed the benefits of their compounded effects. The potential of using the framework to create modelling tool architectures that tackle consumption dilemmas is explored using scenarios relevant to the UAE. Due to its hyper-arid climate combined with high food imports and water and energy consumption trends, the UAE is a principal example of why a country would want to explore the Nexus Approach. The UAE scenario shows that the designed framework succeeded in fulfilling the Nexus Approach gaps. DSM theory allowed for the design of a singular framework that is capable of guiding multiple architectures to create consensus between Nexus modelling tool developers.

Date of Award	May 2017
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Sameh El Khatib (Supervisor)