Dealing with Complexities and Uncertainties in a System-of- Systems: Case Studies on Urban Systems

Dealing with complexities and uncertainties in the design and planning of human-engineered systems such as urban systems is crucial. When the stakes are so high and consequences of alternative actions are so uncertain, a systematic consideration of complexities and uncertainties is warranted. This chapter describes a system-of-systems (SoS) framework to represent the interdependencies and dynamics among human and engineered systems. The framework comprises a set of tools including network theory, system dynamics, and exploratory modeling and analysis. Based on the framework, three case studies are presented. The first case analyzes urban systems’ vulnerabilities to climate change using the context of the 2004 hurricane in South Florida, USA. The second case is a comparison of the performance of two design options for natural-gas powered electricity power plant. The third case is a system analysis for supporting an economic revival in the US Midwest City. The applications reveal information about (1) critical infrastructure nodes, (2) robustness of decisions under uncertainty, and (3) dynamics relevant to support decision-making

Specification of System-of-systems for Policymaking in the Energy Sector

Very detailed models often hinder the ability to develop a broad, high-level understanding of system behavior. A system-of-systems perspective combined with a policy analysis approach offers an alternative approach for policy decision-making. This paper specifies the elements of the energy system-of-systems using this new approach and illustrates its use via an example from the Dutch residential sub-sector. The resulting comprehensive problem representation provides meaningful insights into the interdependencies of relevant factors and values among different levels of the system- of-systems covering both the supply and demand side. The paper also shows that despite the high complexity of the energy sector, an energy system-of-systems can be specified in a manageable way and can be used to formulate tractable decision-making problems on a specific policy issue

Supporting Interventions to Reduce Household Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Transdisciplinary Role-Playing Game Development

Background. Designing interventions for conserving the food, energy, and water nexus at household level poses a significant challenge due to the complex interplay between human behaviors, technologies, and policies. Games show potential to increase awareness for environmental issues and influence behaviors towards more sustainable practices. Aim. By bringing together scientists and practitioners in the game design process, a transdisciplinary (TD) approach is seen as a promising way to integrate available knowledge and establish ownership of the problem and solution options. Few gaming literature, however, looked at combining the two approaches in addressing resource conservation issues. Method. We present a systematic account of the TD approach process of developing a role-playing game (RPG) - called HomeRUN (Role-play for Understanding Nexus). Results. We documented our experiences in terms of challenges as well as the benefits of the TD approach. Interacting disciplines in this process include psychology, economics, engineering, climate, sociology, and computer science. Inputs from each discipline combined with feedback from social actors that include city government, utility companies, and community members facilitated continuous improvements of the RPG design.Policy Analysi

A Playful Approach to Household Sustainability: Results From a Pilot Study on Resource Consumption

Background.: U.S. households produce a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a potential to reduce their carbon footprints from changing food, energy, and water (FEW) consumption patterns. Behavioral change to FEW consumption is needed, but difficult to achieve. Interactive and engaging approaches like serious games could be a way to increase awareness of possible measures, leading to more sustainable behavior at a household level. This study looks into the experiences and effects of a digital game for homeowners with the potential to reduce FEW resource consumption impacts. Intervention.: In this study, we developed and implemented a digital game to explore its potential to raise awareness of the consumption and conservation of FEW resources and the efficacy of conservation messages. This study aims to measure learning outcomes from game participation and to assess the suitability of the game for informing resource conservation actions. Methods.: We tested a proof-of-concept of a digital four-player game, called HomeRUN, with 28 homeowners. The data collected include homeowners’ values and preferences with regard to FEW resources. The patterns of game actions are analyzed with an emphasis on the effectiveness of conservation messaging in informing household consumption behavior. Results.: About 65% of the respondents agree that they gained a better understanding of the greenhouse gas emission impacts of FEW resource consumption after playing the game. Over 57% of the respondents agree that the game experience would influence their future consumption behavior, while a quarter of the respondents are unsure. Overall, we demonstrate the HomeRUN game has potential as a tool for informing conservation efforts at a household level

Socio-environmental impacts of lithium mineral extraction: towards a research agenda

The production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has increased in capacity by almost eight fold in the past ten years due to growing demand for consumer electronics and electric-drive vehicles. The social and environmental implications of increased lithium demand is significant not only in the context of policy initiatives that are incentivizing electric vehicle adoption, but also because electric vehicle adoption is part of the vision of sustainability transitions that are being put forth in a variety of contexts. Any evidence that suggests that the externalities of the technology uptake are not being addressed would directly counter the intent of such initiatives. For LIBs to be fully sustainable, it is imperative that impacts along life cycle stages be adequately addressed, including lithium mineral extraction. This study investigates how the scope and focus of research in this area are changing and what drives their evolution. Based on a bibliometric analysis, we evaluate the state of research on the issues of lithium mineral extraction, use, and their impacts. The article identifies research hotspots and emerging research agendas by mapping the evolution of research focus and themes. Our analysis finds that research on the socio-environmental impacts of lithium extraction at local level has been very limited. We discuss some research directions to address the knowledge gaps in terms of specific research topics, methodologies, and broader system perspectives