Episode 8.7: Balancing energy and water needs
How Idaho tackles resource challenges amid climate variability and population growth
BY Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz
Photo by University Visual Productions
November 15, 2024
Meet Andrew Kliskey, U of I’s President’s Professor of Community and Landscape Resilience and director of the Center for Resilient Communities. He’s going to chat with us about how he and his research team are working with communities to meet their energy and water needs for the future.
Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu.
How far ahead do you plan into the future?
Water is a hot commodity in Idaho, and on top of that, Idaho’s growing population really likes being able to power their homes and expanding industries. Kliskey explores Idaho’s growing challenges in managing water and energy resources. He discusses the impact of Idaho’s rapid population growth — 44% since the 2010s — on water and energy demands, compounded by climate variability.
The episode highlights the $24 million NSF-funded I-CREWS project, a collaborative initiative engaging universities, tribal nations and community colleges to model resilient water and energy systems. Kliskey explains innovative solutions like pumped storage hydroelectric systems, which store energy using reservoirs as basically large-scale batteries.
Throughout the conversation, Kliskey emphasizes the importance of community-driven research, showcasing examples from his past research when local feedback improved water-use models. This insightful episode illustrates how interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advancements can secure a sustainable future for Idaho.
Music
“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs via freemusicarchive.org, not modified.
“Daybreak Musing” by VIV1010 via Amphibious Zoo.