Pipeline of Power: Unveiling Energy Flow with Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams, named after Markham Sankey, an engineer and physicist known for his work on energy efficiency, are a powerful tool in visualizing the flow of energy, resources, or information through a system. These charts are particularly useful in the analysis of data related to energy supply and consumption, environmental systems, manufacturing processes, and many other fields. By breaking down different flows into distinct channels and their widths proportionate to the amount of material or energy they represent, Sankey diagrams offer a glance-able view that reveals underlying patterns and efficiencies.

Understanding Sankey Charts

A Sankey diagram is composed of several elements:

Flows: These are the different materials, energy, or information that move through the system. Each flow is represented as a stream, or “arrow”, running from an input to an output.
Nodes: These represent where flows start, where they connect, or where they end. Nodes can be simple points or can be extended to show a more detailed representation of the system.
Sources and Sinks: The starting point and end point of the flows, respectively. In the context of energy, a source might represent an energy source like wind or solar power, while a sink might be an energy consumer like a building or a vehicle.

Creating a Sankey Diagram

Creating a Sankey diagram can be an engaging process, requiring data collection, cleaning, and analysis as well as visual design. Here’s a simple guide to creating a Sankey diagram:

Gather Data: Start with the data points that represent the flow of energy or resources. This might include sources, inputs, outputs, and intermediary steps.
Calculate Scales: Often, data needs to be converted into comparable measurements. This could involve standardizing units, or calculating percentages of a total to ensure flows are displayed in proportion to one another.
Format Data: Organize your data in a way that reflects the flow of your system. This could be in a spreadsheet or database format.
Choose a Tool: There are many software options for creating Sankey diagrams, including Excel, Python libraries (such as Plotly or Matplotlib), and more specialized tools like Tableau or SankeyMATIC.
Create the Diagram: Follow the specific instructions for your chosen tool. Most tools will guide you through adding nodes and flows, adjusting the width of the flows based on your data, and customizing the appearance.
Review and Refine: Iterate on your diagram, ensuring that it communicates clearly and convincingly, without unnecessary complexity.

Applications of Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are versatile and can be applied across various fields:

Energy Efficiency and Management: They help in understanding how much energy is lost in the form of heat during transmission and how much remains as usable power.
Environmental Analysis: These diagrams can illustrate the carbon footprint of a particular product or service, showing carbon sources and sinks.
Economic Models: Sankey diagrams can be used to visualize the flow of money, wages, and profits within a company or in an economy.
Information Flow: In digital contexts, they can show how data is processed, transferred, and accessed through various systems.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams are a valuable tool for understanding the flow and distribution of resources, energy, or information. By visualizing complex data in a straightforward manner, they make complex systems understandable and allow for the identification of inefficiencies or areas for improvement. As the demand for sustainable and efficient practices continues to grow, Sankey diagrams will likely become an increasingly important part of decision-making processes across many industries.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.