Abstract

Energy and water are highly interlinked in economic systems. Their quantitative relationship has been explored for their parallel relationship. However, these studies largely focused on water quantity; the relationship between the water quality and energy system has been largely neglected. To study the pathways of how they interact, we incorporated the gray, green, and blue water flows in an input–output analysis (IOA) and built one integrated energy–water nexus assessment framework. We first inventoried the regional energy-related gray, green, and blue water consumption and water-related energy consumption. Then, the regional direct water consumption and energy-related gray, green, and blue water consumption were combined as the integrated water consumption to build a water nexus network. Similarly, the regional direct energy and water-related energy were combined as integrated energy consumption to build energy nexus network. This combined approach allows one to use IOA to calculate the embodied integrated energy. By investigating the linkage between energy consumption, water use, and water pollution, this study aims at informing and coordinating effective energy–water management policy in urban systems.