Sankey chart is a powerful tool that enables viewers to visualize and understand the flow of materials or information. Developed in the 1950s, it is an alternative graph to traditional flowcharts where lines between nodes and sources show the flow of data. The diagram presents several data points called nodes and lines connecting them. These lines show the direction and amount of flow as well as sources and sinks.
In this article, we will explore Sankey charts, learn how they are used in energy flow analysis and what elements can be used to highlight different data points. For instance, color coding and labeling can help viewers understand the flow of data at a glance.
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Types of Sankey Charts:
- Single-Source-Single-Sink: a two-way connection between source and sinks
- Multi-Source-Single-Sink: multiple connections between sources and a single sink
- Multi-Source-Multi-Sink: multiple connections between sources and multiple sinks
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How to Use Sankey Charts in Energy Flow Analysis:
- It helps to visualize the energy flow between devices and materials.
- To identify any possible bottlenecks, dead ends, or waste generation.
- By analyzing data points and color coding, it allows viewers to understand the flow of energy between different devices more easily.
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How to Create Your Own Sankey Chart:
- To create a Sankey chart in Google Sheets, visit Google Sheets.
- Open a new or existing spreadsheet. Click on the “Insert” tab and then choose “Sankey Chart” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the “Edit” button to select where you want to insert the chart.
- In the “Edit” dialog, label each of the nodes (data points) and line connections using the “Edit Text” tool.
- To color-code the nodes, click on the “Format” tab and then choose the color scheme you want to use for nodes.
- Finally, if desired, can add a label or marker on the chart to provide context.
As Sankey charts are becoming popular in fields such as engineering, environmental studies, and economics, it is essential to have a basic understanding about their workings and applications. With the right color coding, labeling and formatting, Sankey charts can make data visualization engaging and interactive thereby allowing viewers to gain valuable insights by exploring the flow of data.
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