ABSTRACT This paper proposes geothermal energy as an alternative solution to the water–energy dilemma in the northeastern region of Brazil (NEB). The main application of this study was to provide a theoretical basis to support a different approach to policies minimizing water scarcity and ensuring sustainability. The analysis developed in this study compares the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for many different energy sources. The novelty of this study is the use of geothermal energy in the context of the Brazilian Northeast, focusing on water desalination processes, which are expensive in terms of energy. Therefore, this study is highly important because it offers the potential of addressing the energy/economic barrier related to water desalination in environments with economically viable geothermal energy. This is the case in Northeast Brazil with potential for reuse of abandoned oil wells. In the form of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), geothermal energy is a competitive energy source compared to other sources in the Brazilian Energy Matrix, especially when considering factors in addition to the economic benefits. In the form of EGS, geothermal energy is a suitable option for addressing water scarcity in the northeast region in a sustainable and low-emission manner. This is a strategic opportunity for NEB in the context of energy production and freshwater production through desalination.

RESUMO A tolerância das culturas à salinidade é maior em sistemas hidropônicos devido a pouca contribuição do potencial mátrico sobre o potencial total da água. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o uso de águas salobras, para o preparo da solução nutritiva e para a reposição da lâmina evapotranspirada além de vazões de aplicação desta solução sobre o índice de estresse hídrico, potenciais de água, suculência foliar e consumo hídrico total da couve-flor cv. Piracicaba Precoce. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 6 x 2, com seis níveis de salinidade da água utilizada para o preparo das soluções nutritivas (0,2; 1,5; 2,5; 3,5; 4,5 e 5,5 dS m-1) e duas vazões de aplicação destas soluções (1,5 e 2,5 L min-1), com quatro repetições. Foram analisados o índice de estresse hídrico (IEH), os potenciais foliares hídrico e osmótico, a suculência foliar (SF) e o consumo hídrico total. O aumento da salinidade da água reduziu a SF e aumentou o IEH. A salinidade da água reduziu os potenciais foliares hídrico e osmótico e o consumo hídrico total da cultura, porém, os efeitos foram mais acentuados na vazão de 2,5 L min-1. A vazão de 2,5 L min-1 proporcionou o maior IEH e a menor SF.

ABSTRACT The tolerance of crops to salinity is greater in hydroponic systems due to the low contribution of the matric potential to the total potential of the water. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of brackish water, to prepare the nutrient solution and replace the evapotranspired volume, and rates of application of this solution on the water stress index, water potential, leaf succulence and water consumption of cauliflower cv. ‘Piracicaba Precoce’. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with six salinity levels used to prepare the nutrient solutions (0.2, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 dS m-1) and two application rates of these solutions (1.5 and 2.5 L min-1), with four replicates. Water stress index (WSI), water and osmotic leaf potentials, leaf succulence (LS) and water consumption were analyzed. The increase in water salinity reduced LS and increased WSI. Water salinity reduced the water and osmotic leaf potentials and water consumption of the crop; however, the effects were more pronounced at the rate of 2.5 L min-1. Application rate of 2.5 L min-1 led to the highest WSI and lowest LS.