By Sequoia Riley, PhD, Research Associate - Water, Energy, Climate Nexus
Natural disasters don’t just cause one problem when they strike. Hurricanes down power lines, flood communities and shut down supply chains and local economies. And they’re happening more frequently and more powerfully.
Traditional infrastructure often fails to manage heavy floods or energy crises, and these shortcomings hit underserved communities hardest.
That’s why HARC is so focused on developing and implementing innovative solutions that address several threats or benefits all at once and better leverage every dollar spent on energy and stormwater infrastructure.
Community solar is a great example. Not only does solar energy reduce our overall reliance on fossil fuels, but building larger solar installations within communities reduces the need to transmit electricity through a congested grid and can help lower-income families or renters reap the benefits of cleaner, cheaper energy.
Another example is taking shape in Arizona, where a pilot project will cover more than a mile of an open irrigation canal with solar panels. The panels will deliver power locally and reduce water evaporation.
In a recent paper published in the Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, my colleagues and I explored another innovative solution: leveraging unused land to mitigate local flooding and provide electricity through floating solar panels and new flood retention reservoirs. Together, these innovations demonstrate the potential for higher energy efficiency, reduced flood volume, and cost savings. Not only does this approach aim to manage flood risks, but it also supports clean energy production.
To prove the concept, we examined flood data from Waimanalo, Hawai’i, which suffered a significant flood in 2018. We matched flood and topographical data to develop a model that shows volume and flow in real-time. This allowed us to determine where and how large a retention pond would be needed to reduce downstream flooding and determine how much floating solar panels could be installed. The result was impressive. We found that using approximately 68.48 square meters (737 square feet) of land could reduce flooding 50% and provide about 50% of the community’s immediate energy needs.
Hawai‘i has unique environmental characteristics, topography and weather vulnerabilities, so it was an interesting setting for exploration. But it’s just one proof of concept. Not every community has drastic topography, for example. In Texas, where we know our fair share about flooding, our elevation is very gradual. Still, combining flood mitigation with clean energy generation is an interesting innovative solution here. How many retention ponds do Houstonians pass every day on I-10, 290, or any of the other highways that connect our ever-growing communities? This modeling shows promising results. But it’s a whole other step to actually make it a reality.
Leveraging flood mitigation with clean energy production is an important one-two punch. First, stacked solutions like these deliver immediate benefits close to home for citizens. Second, they demonstrate that leaders should think (and spend) wisely about how to make the best use of precious infrastructure spending.
The path forward requires pilot projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, and equitable resource allocation. Local governments, researchers, and community organizations must work together to bring this concept to fruition. I envision a collective effort in which we need to all come together collectively to provide the kind of resources in an equitable manner that will benefit everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Educational programs on design strategies, equity, and cost-benefit analyses can also empower professionals and communities to adopt these co-design solutions. Moreover, these programs could create local jobs.
At HARC, we are committed to developing and implementing innovative sustainability solutions that support local communities and economies. By stacking solutions like flood mitigation and clean energy, we can create stronger, cleaner, and more resilient communities.
