The Evolving Role of Systems Analysis in Process and Methods in Large-Scale Public Socio-Technical Systems

The ESD definition of Large-Scale Socio-Technical Systems is large-scale and complex systems in which both human and non-human elements interact where the social and/or management dimensions tend to dominate. The word public has been added here to indicate that subset which are quasi public systems, i.e. the problems of public management of resources such as clean air and water or energy in which public policy is needed to drive and set the context for public investment and regulation which in turn influence private individual and corporate decisions. Systems analysis plays an important role in the formation of strategic policy for managing these resources. The paradigm of systems analysis as applied to large-scale open systems has not changed over the years. It is still the mantra of Problem Identification, Systems Modeling, Generation of Alternatives (Optimization), Evaluation and Implementation. However, both the process by which systems analysis is carried out, and the systems methods used in that process have evolved significantly and for the better. This paper deals with a description of these evolving methods and processes in the context of large-scale energy and environmental systems. In particular, pathways to the future in energy and environmental management are discussed as long-term system analysis problems. Systems Analysis process changes and methods changes, which have occurred and will need evolution in the future, are identified

A water rights transfer evaluation procedure with applications for western energy development

This report deals with questions of water supply for coal deve- lopment in the semiarid western United States. A method is developed to evaluate yields of water rights in "appropriation" or "permit" systems of water administration. Water rights are characterized in terms of location, priority, decreed maximum diversion, actual diver- sion in periods of low flow, and consumptive use. Transfers of water rights are evaluated in this method by using institutional procedures as a framework for analysis. A case study is performed on the North Fork of the Powder River, Wyoming, in which institutional considera- tions are discussed, and water rights are evaluated for a hypothetical facility. This procedure is not limited to energy facilities, but may be used in most cases of water rights trasnfers. The method is designed for use with easily obtained data in order to facilitate its use in practice.Sponsored by U.S. Dept. of Energy

The water consumption of energy production: an international comparison

Producing energy resources requires significant quantities of fresh water. As an energy sector changes or expands, the mix of technologies deployed to produce fuels and electricity determines the associated burden on regional water resources. Many reports have identified the water consumption of various energy production technologies. This paper synthesizes and expands upon this previous work by exploring the geographic distribution of water use by national energy portfolios. By defining and calculating an indicator to compare the water consumption of energy production for over 150 countries, we estimate that approximately 52 billion cubic meters of fresh water is consumed annually for global energy production. Further, in consolidating the data, it became clear that both the quality of the data and global reporting standards should be improved to track this important variable at the global scale. By introducing a consistent indicator to empirically assess coupled water–energy systems, it is hoped that this research will provide greater visibility into the magnitude of water use for energy production at the national and global scales

Multiple metrics for quantifying the intensity of water consumption of energy production

Discussion of the environmental implications of worldwide energy demand is currently dominated by the effects of carbon dioxide (CO[subscript 2]) emissions on global climate. At the regional scale, however, water resource challenges associated with energy systems are a growing concern. This paper, based on an inventory of national energy portfolios, posits an indicator-based framework for characterizing regional energy portfolios' relative water intensity. These calculations extend upon a previous paper that established a method for calculating the national water consumption of energy production (WCEP) at the global level. Intensity indicators are based on normalizing the WCEP results with a set of additional indicators (including population, gross domestic product, total energy production, and regional water availability). The results show great variability in water consumption across nations, as well as across the various water intensity measures that were applied. Therefore, it is best to apply this full suite of indicators to each country to develop an integrated understanding of the intensity of water use for energy across countries

Thermal pollution abatement evaluation model for power plant siting

Essentially constitutes the M.S. thesis by P.F. Shiers in the Dept. of Civil EngineeringA thermal pollution abatement model for power plant siting is formulated to evaluate the economic costs, resource requirements, and physical characteristics of a particular thermal pollution abatement technology at a given site type for a plant alternative. The model also provides a screening capability to determine which sites are feasible alternatives for development by the calculation of the resource requirements and a check of the applicable thermal standards, and determining whether the plant alternative could be built on the available site in compliance with the thermal standards. The thermal pollution evaluation model analyzes the abatement technologies of surface discharge, diffuser, cooling pond, spray canal, and wet mechanical draft cooling towers. The typical site types evaluated are a river, small lake, great lake, coastal, estuary, offshore ocean, and water poor site. The model will be used in conjunction with a Plant Evaluation Model, which analyzes the effects of fuel costs and air pollution abatement, a Plant Expansion Model, and a Generation Expansion Model to determine the optimal operating and generating plan for an electric utility. The model may also be used in conjunction with the Plant Evaluation Model to evaluate the trade offs between the dollar cost of electric power generation, reliability, and air and thermal pollution. The model may also be used to determine, for a single plant site alternative, which abatement technologies would be feasible, and to make an economic and resource requirement comparison between these alternatives. Finally, the model could be used to examine the economic and locational aspects of the implementation of a plan limiting the waste heat discharge to natural bodies to zero discharge.NSF Grant no. GI-3493

Shalom bayit—Peace of the Home: Ritual and Tradition in American Jewish Families

Utilizing a sample of 30 regionally diverse families (N=75 individuals) belonging to various branches of Judaism, we qualitatively explored how Judaism enhanced and facilitated participants' general life strengths and relational strengths (i.e., marriage and parenting). Based on our findings, Jewish rituals, traditions, and observances had a positive influence on participants' personal lives and family relationships. A sense of duty and responsibility felt toward Jewish observance and to family relationships seemed to facilitate much of this influence.12 month embargo; published online: 02 Jul 2018This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]