Aquifers, Renewable Energy and Desalination in Baja California Sur: Integrated Energy and Water Responses to Development and Climate Changes by Andrés Aranda Martínez , Centro Mario Molina Magdalena AK Muir , Associate Adjunct Research Scholar, Columbia Climate Center, Earth Institute, Columbia University; Visiting Scholar , Center for Carbon-free Power Integration and Mangone Center for Marine Policy, University of Delaware; Researcher, AINA; and Associate Professor, Aarhus University Kyle Leinweber , Engineer in Training, Calgary for IWA International Water, Energy and Climate Conference 2014 in Mexico City, May 23, 2014 This is Fulbright Research for Baja California Sur Aquifer Desalination Renewable Energy Project Jointly Implemented with IMPLAN Los Cabos, Centro Mario Molina, SCI Energy Lab and Coastal and Marine Union (EUCC). Presentation and Discussion 1. Energy and Water Nexus for Baja California Sur 2. Baja California Sur aquifers, hydraulic sub- basins and precipitation maps 3. Aquifers within Muncipalities of Los Cabos and La Paz 4. Renewable Energy and Desalination in Public and Private Sector in Baha California Sur 5. IMPLAN Los Cabos PDU 2040: The Water Case 6. Centro Mario Molina sustainable water case for Municipalities of Los Cabos and La Paz 7. Suggested Next Steps for Baja California Sur Aquifer Desalination Renewable Energy Project 8. Appendix (provided separately) Energy and Water Nexus • Baja California Sur is arid region that relies on primarily on precipitation for water resources. • This precipitation becomes groundwater and is collected in aquifers and aquifer systems. • There is a public desalination concession in Los Cabos (2006). A second desalination concession has been proposed for Los Cabos, and an initial concession has been proposed for La Paz. • Many hotels, golf courses and marinas have private desalination and waste water treatment. • Most electricity is generated by diesel generation. • While water resources and desalination are required to support economic growth, renewable energy has a role for water resources. CONAGUA Baja California Sur Hydrologic Sub-basins CONAGUA Baja California Sur State Aquifers CONAGUA Baja California Sur Precipitation 1971 to 2000 CONAGUA Baja California Sur Precipitation 2011 Baja California Sur Study Region: Los Cabos and La Paz Municipalities Geology of Baja California Study Region Baja California Sur Aquifers • Sustainability of aquifer and aquifer systems can be considered for quantity factors (i.e., flow volumes, recharge, discharge, time, scale, permeability, storage and pressure). • Sustainability of the aquifers and aquifer based on quality (i.e., land-based and coastal contamination, saline intrusion, and diffusion through aquifers and connected aquifer systems). • Further knowledge required of capacity and dimensions of aquifers for the Municipalities of Los Cabos and La Paz, including issues such as whether the aquifers are connected in aquifer system which has quantity and quality implications. CONAGUA Aquifer Clave No CONAGUA: Estimates of Aquifer Water Availability IMPLAN Los Cabos Baja California Sur Precipitation Aquifers in Municipality of Los Cabos . Aquifer Analysis: Porosity Porosity is the ²ÉÆ·¹» û Ā = = ̊ − ¸ËÂÁ fraction (or ² û percentage) of ¸ËÂÁ Æ·ÈÊ¿¹Â» void space within Where: the aquifer Ā : Porosity (-) ²ÉÆ·¹» : Volume of empty space (m^3) formation. ²¸ËÂÁ : Volume of sample or aquifer (m^3) û¸ËÂÁ : Density of sample or medium Water can be (kg/m^3) stored in pores. ûÆ·ÈÊ¿¹Â» :Density of rock particles (kg/m^3) Pores can be interconnected. Aquifer Analysis: Permeability Permeability is the Darcy’s Law: property of a porous § material to transmit Ç = ê¬ fluids under a μ pressure differential. Where: Flow of a fluid in Ç : Volumetric flow rate (m^3/s) porous media § : Permeability (m^2) characterized by μ : Viscosity (kg/(m*s) ) Darcy’s Law ¬ : Pressure (kg/(m*s^2)) Ą º Ą ê = ( ¿ + À + Á) : i, j, and k are There is no direct ĄÎ ºÏ ĄÐ unit vector components with relationship between respect to the directions of x, y, porosity and and z respectfully permeability Pore Contamination Diffusion of Contaminants Diffusion is the Fick’s 2 nd Law natural phenomenon Ą̋ Ą of a substance moving = ĄÎ ̋ ĄÊ from a state of high concentration to low. Where: Concentration is the : Diffusivity constant (m^2/s) : Concentration (mol/m^3) driving force. Î : Distance (m) Transmits Ê : Time (s) contaminants through pores and fractures. Graphical Illustration of Diffusion San Jose del Cabo: Surface land use and possible contamination of San Jose Aquifer San Jose del Cabo La Paz Aquifers La Paz aquifers is in basin to the south and south east of the Municipality of La Paz. The precipitation model shows that the heaviest precipitation occurs in higher areas away from coast. Precipitation runoff will flow towards the lower lands near La Paz. Best area for groundwater in basin may be in southeast fractured granite. Vulnerability to saline intrusion in coastal areas of La Paz basin. La Paz Basin Aquifer exploitation in La Paz Basin La Paz Basin and Elavation Map La Paz Basin Geology Model La Paz Basin Precipitation Model Las Paz Basin Distribution of Recharge Areas Proposed Gold Mining Projects in Sierra De La Luna Mountains and Aquifer/Basin Implications • Estimated 1.7 million ounces of gold, which will be worth more than $2 billion. • Argonaut Gold San Antonio mine is largest with surface area of 46,000 hectares. • Open pit heap leach mine with 7 hills tops and 200 M tonnes rock to be processed. • 50 M tonnes rock to be processed with cyanide, 150 M tonnes piled in exposed hills. • Naturally occurring arsenic in rock. • Water concessions from nearby ranches, or use groundwater, seawater or desalinated water. Argonaut Gold San Antonio Mining Concession San Antonio Mine and Aquifer Impacts • Historic mining and contamination has occurred in Sierra De La Luna Mountains and San Juan de Los Planes basin. • Size and nature of current proposed gold mining operations is immense. • San Juan de Los Planes is nearby agricultural region, and possible contamination risks for aquifer. • Important questions are possible risks of proposed San Antonio Mine and other proposed mines to aquifers in the La Paz Basin and San Jose Aquifer that Los Cabos and La Paz municipalities depend upon. IMPLAN: Los Cabos Context North America North West Mexico Baja Peninsula San José del Baja California Sur Estate Cabo Population: • Cabo San Lucas: 128,057 • San José del Cabo: 87,488 • Total: 215,545 Surface: Cabo San • Cabo San Lucas: 3,641 Ha. Lucas • San José del Cabo: 4,234 Ha. • Corridor: 1,438 Ha. • Total: 9,313 Ha Average annual temperature: • 18 to 22 Celsius 200 mm of rain per year Main economic activity: • Tourism (12,621 hotel rooms available in the area) Hurracains. • 1970 to 2010 = 20 events. Desalination and Renewable Energy Public and private desalination projects underway in the Municipality of Los Cabos. Los Cabos Municipality receives water from a desalination project operated under a concession, and a further concession is being considered. A public desalination project operated under a concession is being considered for the Municipality of La Paz. Subject to private finance and concession, Los Cabos is considering renewable energy project. Los Cabos uses hydrocarbons to generate power. Extensive private desalination projects in Los Cabos in tourism sector due to tariffs and water shortfalls. Large and small scale examples of renewable energy and desalination briefly explored. IMPLAN : Los Cabos Desalination Concession Built in 2007 with an investment of $30 Million, it has been financed by the Fondo de Inversión en Infraestructura (FINFRA), a credit by the Banco Nacional de Obras y Servicios Públicos, S.N.C. (BANOBRAS) and Risk Capital Investment by (Grupo OHL). This is the first large scale desalination plant to be constructed in Mexico, and the Los Cabos Plant has a capacity of 17,280 m3/ day, 200 lts/s, which is satisfying the needs of approximately 50,000 persons. This is a reverse osmosis plant. Private Desalination in Los Cabos Municipality Los Cabos Municipality receives water from a desalination project operated under a municipal concession. Private desalination used to meet all or part of water demand for many hotels, resorts, golf courses and marinas located in Cabos San Lucas, San Jose Del Cabos, and the tourism corridor between these two urban centers. Private Desalination in Los Cabos Municipality Desalination: Small Portable Solar Unit Desalination: Small Scale Solar Plant in Oman . Desalination: Large Scale Solar Energy Plant in UAE Integration of Renewable Energy and Desalination Two models are suggested for how renewable energy may be used in public and private desalination projects in Baja California Sur: 1) Separate renewable energy facilities can be developed for each desalination project. This is more feasible for smaller desalination projects with energy storage, which are in an isolated location, or where the desalination technologies can use intermittent renewable energy. 2) Designated renewable energy can be provided from regional or municipal electricity grids and systems. This may be more suitable for larger desalination projects which require more electricity or where the desalination technologies benefit from a more consistent electricity supply. IMPLAN Los Cabos Los Cabos’ Municipal Planning Institute LOS CABOS WATER CASE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PDU 2040) IMPLAN: Water Consumption Population growth in Los Cabos, 2010.