Energy, Water, and Food Nexus Simulation for Built Environments in a Desert Climate

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive framework that explores the integration of building-integrated agriculture (BIA) in residential buildings located in desert climates, focusing on the synergies and dependencies between energy, water, and food systems. The methodology involves modeling a typical single-family household, incorporating systems such as water reuse, photovoltaics, and a hydroponic farm, and evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs), including energy consumption, water consumption, food production, and CO2e emissions. The results demonstrate that BIA can fulfill the food demands of multiple households while reducing carbon emissions, with the inclusion of photovoltaic panels further mitigating energy consumption. Greywater reuse contributes to water conservation, and the overall CO2e emissions are significantly reduced. These findings highlight the potential of resource-efficient systems to improve sustainability and resilience in desert regions, providing valuable insights for stakeholders and researchers.