  This paper proposes a Networked Micro Water-Energy Nexus (NetMicroWEN)
capable of co-optimizing and simultaneously supplying water and energy to local
consumers in nearby communities. The system manages different water and energy
inputs of different communities in a local network to cooperatively meet their
demands. This paper considers a centralized network topology that connects all
members of the network under one control system. This paper also proposes a
Proportional Exchange Algorithm (PEA) that allows members to benefit equally
from exchanging both resources among other members of the NetMicroWEN and the
main water and power distribution systems. The co-optimization model is a
mixed-integer linear program, involving all necessary power and water related
constraints for the network to achieve a feasible and practical solution. The
economic benefits of the NetMicroWEN are illustrated by a comparison with
separate Micro Water- Energy Nexus (MWEN) systems meeting their own demands
individually. The case studies demonstrate that the proposed NetMicroWEN
achieves substantially lower operating costs compared to the operation of
separate MWEN systems.
