Keywords
Input-output framework, Integrated model, Quantitative framework, Time variant
Start Date
27-6-2018 3:40 PM
End Date
27-6-2018 5:20 PM
Abstract
With growing populations and the changing climate, the importance of food, energy, and water (FEW) security has become a global issue. The competition for natural resources has caused the recognition of FEW nexus concept in which the interdependency between FEW sectors is taken into account for the effective management of resources with an enhanced understanding of underlying dynamics. In this context, developing an integrated model supported by a comprehensive quantitative framework is necessary. Although there are numerous studies on FEW nexus, limited research has been done on developing mathematical equations to model the FEW nexus. The goal of this study was to develop an analytical framework to model the interdependency between FEW sectors and implement the model using historical data sets from the Columbia River Basin in Oregon/Washington, USA. This basin plays a central role in the prosperity of the food, energy, and water sectors in the Pacific Northwest. In this study, the time-variant Input-Output framework was used to model the FEW nexus. We used the standard Leontief function in which the technical coefficient matrix was broken down into technology and allocation matrices. Technology matrix remained constant while the allocation matrix was varied with each time step. Optimal allocation matrix coefficients were determined using a multicriteria objective function in a multidisciplinary optimization framework. Planning time horizon was set for one year while the decision implementation time horizon was set to a week for performing optimization. All the modeling and analysis was done using MATLAB and python scripts. This framework can be used to identify strategies for optimal resource use under uncertain climate, policy and economic environments.
Developing an integrated model for food-energy-water nexus in the Pacific Northwest, USA
With growing populations and the changing climate, the importance of food, energy, and water (FEW) security has become a global issue. The competition for natural resources has caused the recognition of FEW nexus concept in which the interdependency between FEW sectors is taken into account for the effective management of resources with an enhanced understanding of underlying dynamics. In this context, developing an integrated model supported by a comprehensive quantitative framework is necessary. Although there are numerous studies on FEW nexus, limited research has been done on developing mathematical equations to model the FEW nexus. The goal of this study was to develop an analytical framework to model the interdependency between FEW sectors and implement the model using historical data sets from the Columbia River Basin in Oregon/Washington, USA. This basin plays a central role in the prosperity of the food, energy, and water sectors in the Pacific Northwest. In this study, the time-variant Input-Output framework was used to model the FEW nexus. We used the standard Leontief function in which the technical coefficient matrix was broken down into technology and allocation matrices. Technology matrix remained constant while the allocation matrix was varied with each time step. Optimal allocation matrix coefficients were determined using a multicriteria objective function in a multidisciplinary optimization framework. Planning time horizon was set for one year while the decision implementation time horizon was set to a week for performing optimization. All the modeling and analysis was done using MATLAB and python scripts. This framework can be used to identify strategies for optimal resource use under uncertain climate, policy and economic environments.
Stream and Session
Stream C: Integrated Social, Economic, Ecological, and Infrastructural Modeling
C9: Integrated Modelling and Scenario Development as Analytical Tools for Exploring the Food-Energy-Water Nexus (FEW-Nexus)