EMERGY & ENERGY SYSTEMSEMERGY & ENERGY SYSTEMS

Session 2 Short Course for ECO Interns,

EPA and Partners

Energy Language DiagramsEnergy Language Diagrams

• Boundary definitions• System components• Driving forces• Structure in symbols • Function in pathways• Interactions• Recycle• Sinks• The really great thing about energy

language notation

Boundary DefinitionsBoundary Definitions

• Arbitrary• Defined by problem

statement

Boundary DefinitionsBoundary Definitions

• X-Y plane – preserve boundary

XY

Z

• Z axis – top soil horizon to tree tops

System ComponentsSystem Components

Energy Diagram SymbolsEnergy Diagram Symbols

Structure

Function in PathwaysFunction in Pathways

Force or flow – unidirectional

Diffusion or backforce – no arrows

O2, CO2

O2 CO2

Water

Gasoline

Gasoline

Function in PathwaysFunction in Pathways

• Money $$

Energy or material

Structure in SymbolsStructure in Symbols

• Producer- Conceptual

Structure in SymbolsStructure in Symbols

• Producer – working model

Structure in SymbolsStructure in Symbols

• Consumer - conceptual

Structure in SymbolsStructure in Symbols

• Consumer – working model

Structure in SymbolsStructure in Symbols

• Storage –simple outflow

Driving ForcesDriving Forces

• Components outside boundary – constant flow

Driving ForcesDriving Forces

• Components outside boundary - flow limited

InteractionsInteractions

• Limiting or subsidizing factors

InteractionsInteractions

• Limiting or subsidizing factors

InteractionsInteractions

• Sensor

InteractionsInteractions• Fluid transported sources (or any energy or material

that flows in proportion to another pathway)

River waterW Nutrients

N

SedimentsS

Jw

Jn

Js

Jw= kw*WJn = kn*W*NJs = ks*W*S

InteractionsInteractions

Productivity

Energy tostorage

Energy used topull in more energy

Autocatalytic feedback

InteractionsInteractions

Price and coupled flows

Price determined by outside source

P

Price determined by available commodity

P

$

Show money tankIf accumulating

RecycleRecycle

• Feedback from right to left

recycle pathways

SinksSinksAny transformation, interaction or flow has loss

Process BoxProcess Box

• “Black” box approach

or• Show detail in another

diagram

ComponentsComponents

Order of ConcentrationOrder of Concentration

Increasing Increasing concentration or concentration or

qualityquality

Complex DiagramComplex Diagram

Complex DiagramsComplex Diagrams

Aggregation of diagramsAggregation of diagrams

• What to lump and what to leave? Don’t lose important components – combine

• Remember the question How does the value of environmental services and

natural areas compare to the value of potential development?

Aggregation of diagramsAggregation of diagramsSun, rain, runoff, tides/wavesWater (groundwater, surface water)Saltwater community (mangroves, salt marsh, salt, oyster reefs, vegetated marine, sediments, organics, detritus, inverts)Terrestrial communities (xeric, hammocks, cypress, marsh, sediments, organics, detritus, inverts)Development (boaters, scientists, private holdings, nature lovers, hunters/fishers, pesticides, nutrients)Fish (adults, juveniles)BirdsGoods & ServicesFunding

Aggregation of diagramsAggregation of diagrams

Diagram ExerciseDiagram Exercise

• Draw a complex diagram of a system you are familiar with

• Formulate a question of importance

• Aggregate to answer the question

• Aggregate once more to an almost linear system