Environmental Engineering Reference
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of future energy demand in urban areas by estimating how service infrastructures
and the energy conversion technologies it contains are operated. Ideal energy flows
should therefore occur when all elements are operated in an integrated manner - the
ability to adequately model these elements is paramount.
Interdependency
is a key word in this research and it is defined as 'a bidirectional
relationship between infrastructures through which the state of each infrastructure is
influenced by or correlated to the state of the other' [10].
Figure 1.3 gives an example of network infrastructure interdependencies that
exist in the twenty-first century in a modern urban energy system; these dependen-
cies between service networks have a profound influence in the activities occurring
within a city. These complex interactions also serve to visualise how people rely
on infrastructures every day to conduct their work and leisure activities; without
one of these key service networks city dynamics could come to a standstill. This
is why synergy and network interactions are behind the rationale for a holistic
approach when analysing the trade-offs of existing energy flows in urban environ-
ments, and the need for models detailing these interactions is key to identify optimal
usage of resources. Hence, omitting network interdependencies will at best limit
the validity of independent analysis and at worst lead to inappropriate decisions for
stakeholders.
Although physical representation of complex energy systems is not universal,
thus far literature has approached the subject employing thermodynamic systems,
metabolic systems or complex systems [12]. Also, literature shows public domain
energy models commonly treat national energy demand by end-use sectors; thus,
Fuels, lubricants
SCADA
SCADA
Oil
Transport
Fuel transport,
shipping
Water for
production,
cooling,
emissions
reduction
Power for pumps,
control systems,
storage
Plug-in hybrid vehicles,
power for signalling,
switches
Natural gas
vehicles
Fuel for generators,
lubricants
Shipping
Fuel transport,
shipping
Power for compressors,
control systems,
storage
Electric
power
Power for pumps,
control systems
Natural
gas
Fuel for CCGT and CHP generators
SCADA
Water for
cooling,
emissions
reduction
SCADA
Power for
IT devices
Water
Water for cooling
Heat
Telecom
SCADA
Shipping
Fuel for generators
Water for production,
cooling, emissions
reduction
Figure 1.3
Example of dynamic service infrastructure interactions [11]
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