How can solar energy transform water access, food production, and industrial processes? This module explores innovative, cross-sectoral solutions that connect clean energy with sustainable water and agricultural systems.
As global challenges grow more interconnected, so must our solutions. This learning module explores how clean energy technologies, such as solar power, hydropower, and agrivoltaics, can be leveraged to improve water access, support sustainable agriculture, and enable low-emission food processing. You'll examine the energy demands of water treatment and desalination systems, discover how solar energy is being used for cooking and industrial heat, and explore conservation practices that link soil health with water efficiency. Through case studies, exercises, and curated readings, you’ll gain practical insight into how Nexus thinking can drive impactful, cross-sectoral action.
3.1 Module Introduction: Powering Sustainable Futures Through the Nexus
3 minutes
Video
by Afroditi Magou
This video introduces Module 3 of the ONEPlanet Academy, which focuses on practical, cross-sectoral solutions within the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. The module explores how clean energy technologies—such as solar, hydropower, and agrivoltaics—can be applied to water treatment, desalination, cooking, and industrial food processing. It also presents nature-based approaches to soil and water conservation, using real-life examples. The module highlights integrated strategies that support sustainability across resource systems.
Key messages
Understand Nexus interconnections: Learn how water, energy, and food systems are deeply interlinked and why cross-sectoral thinking is essential for sustainability.
Explore clean energy applications: Discover how solar power can drive solutions in water treatment, food preparation, and industrial processing.
Recognise nature-based solutions: Study soil and water conservation techniques like mountain terraces that support both ecological resilience and community livelihoods.
3.2 Clean Energy: Hydropower and Agrivoltaics
18 minutes
Video
by Massimo Rivarolo
by Stefano Barberis
The activity presents main renewable sources for clean energy generation, with particular focus to their connection to correct use of water resources (hydropower plants) and implementation of solutions connected to food production from agriculture (agrivoltaics).
Hydropower
Agrivoltaics
Key messages
The Interconnection of Water, Energy, and Food Resources (WEF Nexus): The WEF nexus highlights the critical interdependence of water, energy, and food systems. Managing these resources requires an integrated approach to ensure sustainability and avoid resource overuse or depletion.
Challenges of Resource Consumption and Sustainability: Current trends in global freshwater withdrawals, energy production, and food demands are pushing the limits of planetary boundaries. These challenges necessitate sustainable solutions to support growing populations and future needs.
The Importance of Systems Thinking in Addressing WEF Nexus Challenges: Solving WEF nexus challenges requires a systems-thinking approach that considers the complex interactions and trade-offs between resources, ensuring informed decision-making for sustainable outcomes.
3.3 Energy impact of water treatment
10 minutes
Video
by Massimo Rivarolo
The activity focuses on the strict relationship between energy and water treatment systems, providing an overview of the technologies for water purification and the energy input they require. Moreover, integrated cross-sectoral solutions for water purification for both agriculture purposes and green hydrogen synthesis is presented. A practical example is provided to demonstrate the WEF Nexus for green Hydrogen production plants in different African scenarios, considering solar as green energy source.
Key messages
Compare water treatment technologies Understand the energy requirements of various water purification systems and how these differ across technologies and contexts.
Explore integrated energy-water solutions Learn how to design and size water treatment systems, including those linked to green hydrogen production through electrolysis, using local renewable energy sources such as solar.
3.4 Sustainable Solar water desalination and treatment systems
14 minutes
Video
by Marios C. Georgiou
This talk serves as a brief introduction to system dynamics and its application in modelling Water-Energy-Food systems. The basic concepts of system dynamics modelling will be presented with a few simple examples. In conclusion, the modelling will focus on the WEF-Nexus.
Key messages
System dynamics offers a powerful framework to understand and simulate complex systems: Using feedback loops, causal relationships, and stock-flow diagrams, this approach helps make sense of dynamic interactions in real-world systems.
Simulation models support evidence-based decision-making: System dynamics allows users to test scenarios and policy interventions, providing insights into long-term impacts and guiding more effective strategies.
The Water-Energy-Food Nexus benefits from a system dynamics approach: By modelling interdependencies among water, energy, and food systems—alongside socioeconomic drivers—we can better manage resources and plan for sustainability.
3.5 Demonstration: Using the sun for cooking
1h 15
Video
by Savvas Hadjixenofontos
Harness the power of the sun and step into sustainable cooking. This one-hour interview explores the ingenuity and practicality of solar ovens. Discover how these simple yet revolutionary devices capture sunlight to cook delicious meals, offering a clean, free, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods. These solar ovens are demonstrating the potential for clean energy independence, particularly in areas with abundant sunshine. Learn about the science behind cooking with light and the impact this sustainable technology is making on kitchens and communities alike.
Key messages
System dynamics offers a powerful framework to understand and simulate complex systems: Using feedback loops, causal relationships, and stock-flow diagrams, this approach helps make sense of dynamic interactions in real-world systems.
Simulation models support evidence-based decision-making: System dynamics allows users to test scenarios and policy interventions, providing insights into long-term impacts and guiding more effective strategies.
The Water-Energy-Food Nexus benefits from a system dynamics approach: By modelling interdependencies among water, energy, and food systems—alongside socioeconomic drivers—we can better manage resources and plan for sustainability.
3.6 Multifunctionality of Nature-based Solutions
35 minutes
Video
by Christos Zoumides
Explore the vital role of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in addressing pressing societal challenges by working with nature and community towards biodiversity benefits and climate resilience enhancement. This course uses the compelling case study of mountain terracing in the Troodos region of Cyprus to examine its function as a multi-functional NBS. We will delve into the concept of NBS and understand how terracing effectively prevents soil erosion which is a major threat through soil and water conservation. You will gain insights into the physical mechanisms of terraces, their contribution to multiple ecosystem services including food provision, water regulation, supporting biodiversity, and preserving cultural heritage, and their potential to mitigate both droughts and floods. We will touch upon research methodologies used to quantify terrace effectiveness and inform policy. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in implementing NBS, emphasizing the need for stakeholder engagement, local knowledge, and multidisciplinary approaches for long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
Key messages
Understand mountain terracing as a multi-functional Nature-Based Solution (NBS), providing soil and water conservation, food production, biodiversity support, and cultural value.
Recognise the complexity of implementing and maintaining NBS, including the need for long-term investment, community engagement, and integration of local knowledge.
Explore how traditional nature-based practices contribute to climate resilience, and how their effectiveness can be measured to inform policy and sustainable land management.
