404
and constraints to FEW system development, indicating priorities for more detailed
analysis as well as providing a characterization of alternative system configurations
that meet integrated FEW objectives.
15.2 Overview of Existing FEW System Modeling
Approaches
A number of modeling platforms have been developed to support the assessment of
food, energy, and water systems under different economic and environmental conditions and to support resource development policies. For instance, water models
include consideration of water utilization for hydroelectricity expansion versus
other uses, while some energy and food/agricultural modeling tools include calculations of water requirements for different technology investments.
Typically, however, such models are designed for different purposes, and linkages
between the systems are limited. Moreover, the level of technical detail and complexity in the models can preclude their application for planning and strategy
management, a crucial need in the integrated analysis of FEW systems.
Recent reviews of existing integrated resource assessment and modeling literature focused on FEW systems have shown that the analysis of individual systems
(such as energy or water systems) is undertaken routinely but is often focused only
on a single resource or has often been applied on an aggregated scale for use at
regional or global levels and, typically, over long time periods.
Likewise, the analytical tools used to support decision-making are equally
fragmented. For instance, examples of existing tools used for energy system analysis include the MESSAGE, MARKAL, and LEAP models (Sect. 2.4). A commonly
used model for water system planning is the Water Evaluation and Planning
(WEAP) system, and for water scarcity and food security planning, the Global
Policy Dialogue Model (PODIUM) is well established.
However, these and other models, in one way or another, lack the data and
methodological components required to conduct an integrated analysis of FEW systems towards decision-making, policy development, and other contexts, especially
where these may be needed at a country/state/local scale. Generally, they focus on
one resource and ignore the interconnections with other resources, have overly simplified spatial representations, are grand policy “research” rather than short-term
applied “policy” or “decision support” models, or analyze scenarios which are too
long term for practical use by decision-makers.
The sections below describe sector-centric models as well as efforts in the integrated modeling of FEW systems. This sampling of modeling tools is not meant to
be exhaustive, but rather highlight some representative examples of modeling
approaches to the analysis of FEW systems that have been documented in the literature. FEW system modeling is an area of active research and development, so many
of the tools described in the chapter are the subject of continuous improvements and
applications.
F. R. Miralles-Wilhelm
and constraints to FEW system development, indicating priorities for more detailed
analysis as well as providing a characterization of alternative system configurations
that meet integrated FEW objectives.
15.2 Overview of Existing FEW System Modeling
Approaches
A number of modeling platforms have been developed to support the assessment of
food, energy, and water systems under different economic and environmental conditions and to support resource development policies. For instance, water models
include consideration of water utilization for hydroelectricity expansion versus
other uses, while some energy and food/agricultural modeling tools include calculations of water requirements for different technology investments.
Typically, however, such models are designed for different purposes, and linkages
between the systems are limited. Moreover, the level of technical detail and complexity in the models can preclude their application for planning and strategy
management, a crucial need in the integrated analysis of FEW systems.
Recent reviews of existing integrated resource assessment and modeling literature focused on FEW systems have shown that the analysis of individual systems
(such as energy or water systems) is undertaken routinely but is often focused only
on a single resource or has often been applied on an aggregated scale for use at
regional or global levels and, typically, over long time periods.
Likewise, the analytical tools used to support decision-making are equally
fragmented. For instance, examples of existing tools used for energy system analysis include the MESSAGE, MARKAL, and LEAP models (Sect. 2.4). A commonly
used model for water system planning is the Water Evaluation and Planning
(WEAP) system, and for water scarcity and food security planning, the Global
Policy Dialogue Model (PODIUM) is well established.
However, these and other models, in one way or another, lack the data and
methodological components required to conduct an integrated analysis of FEW systems towards decision-making, policy development, and other contexts, especially
where these may be needed at a country/state/local scale. Generally, they focus on
one resource and ignore the interconnections with other resources, have overly simplified spatial representations, are grand policy “research” rather than short-term
applied “policy” or “decision support” models, or analyze scenarios which are too
long term for practical use by decision-makers.
The sections below describe sector-centric models as well as efforts in the integrated modeling of FEW systems. This sampling of modeling tools is not meant to
be exhaustive, but rather highlight some representative examples of modeling
approaches to the analysis of FEW systems that have been documented in the literature. FEW system modeling is an area of active research and development, so many
of the tools described in the chapter are the subject of continuous improvements and
applications.
F. R. Miralles-Wilhelm