New knowledge cogeneration model for water infrastructure transition adapted to water storage risks

• Grant number: 23/14179-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Resources
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Mario Mendiondo
• Grantee: Gabriel Marinho e Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10639-5 - Center for Research on Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate Change, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Under global changes, risk management for water reservoir services faces new challenges in the co-production of knowledge towards a green transition. This involves considering the analysis of ecosystem services linked to natural capital and the risks associated with socio-hydrological extremes. On the other hand, water infrastructure needs to be adaptable to the increased frequency and magnitude of floods and droughts, especially in regions with high socio-environmental vulnerability and growing inequality. The central hypothesis proposes that a new knowledge co-production model is viable for the transition of water infrastructure adaptable to risks related to water reservoir services. This research aims to integrate traditional engineering techniques with those related to natural capital to minimize risks of hydrological disasters and promote ecosystem services in the short and long term. The theoretical framework evaluates: 1) a new paradigm for water storage services, 2) transitions in water infrastructures, 3) ecosystem services of regulation, 4) associated risks, 5) sustainable cycles related to the water-energy nexus, and 6) a proposal for "serious games" via socio-hydrology. The methodology introduces new archetypes of knowledge co-production modeling for the transition of water infrastructure adaptable to risks related to water reservoir services. These archetypes analyze the relationships between intersectoral water demands, socio-environmental impacts, the identification of vicious cycles, and new adaptation concepts in the pursuit of virtuous cycles. Regionally, these archetypes are applied in basins with notable socio-hydrological coevolutions affected by non-stationary extremes of droughts and floods, such as in the basins of the São Francisco River (Brazil) and the Yangtze River (China). This Doctoral Project is supported by the Brazil-China project, FAPESP 22/08468-0, valid from 2023 to 2025, and linked to the FAPESP project 21/10639-5 (Research Hub on Biodiversity and Climate Change). The research is conducted in collaboration with the WadiLab research group at PPGSHS EESC USP and includes a doctoral internship at the University of Twente, supervised by Prof. Dr. Maarten Krol. This is due to the development of research and projects aimed at understanding the mutual relationship between water availability and water use.