The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has introduced a new model to simulate water demand growth, allocation, and uses under a variety of environmental and socioeconomic scenarios, as well as management strategies, to optimize all supply sources and inform water-related policy and decision-making.
The DoE’s Integrated Water Model (IWM) was launched in the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority at GITEX Technology Week 2021.
The IWM offers a holistic view of the emirate’s three water sources including desalinated, recycled, and groundwater to guide allocation strategy and improve the capacity to structure integrated water resource management plans.
As per the statement, it’s a computer-based program that uses cutting-edge data storage protocols as input and output data to map current and potential demand as well as simulate how future water capacity and distribution will evolve in response to various socio-economic scenarios, as well as how climate change and water management options will affect water security.
Mohammad Juma bin Jarsh Al Falasi Undersecretary – DoE Abu Dhabi
“Water security is of strategic importance to assure adequate water supply and quality to meet future demand, maintain our food security, and sustain economic growth. Climate change risks to water availability, quality, and quantity underline the need for expanded water information and an integrated approach to water management. Our new modeling tool will provide insights into integrated water resource management frameworks and strategic trade-offs, thus supporting our water sustainability efforts. By allowing for integrated social, economic, and environmental evaluations of water management scenarios, we can provide vital information to different stakeholder groups and policymakers in Abu Dhabi, enhancing the emirate’s capabilities in mitigating risks to water security while driving innovative solutions and water use strategies to conserve and sustain this vital resource for generations to come.”
According to the statement, the IWM can be used to examine the socio-economic and environmental trade-offs between different water management options, allowing the joint optimization of the various water sources.
In addition, it assists key players in the water, energy, food, environment, and agriculture sectors in recognizing the consequences of water security and developing solid integrated water resource management plans. The IWM complements DoE’s modeling framework and provides a water dimension to the Abu Dhabi Integrated Energy Model (IEM).
The Department of Energy’s IWM project’s next phase will look into various critical scenarios in order to develop a long-term water outlook, as per the statement.
