Sankey charts are a unique and visually impactful means of representing data flow, especially in complex systems where energy, material, and information move from one format to another. Their distinctive layout is characterized by wide arrows that depict the magnitude of flow, narrowing as they transition to indicate decreased flow, and reversing direction when the flow is recycled with a loop. Despite their somewhat unconventional appearance, Sankey charts are a powerful tool used across various industries for both communication and analysis. This post provides an overview of Sankey charts, detailing their uses and applications that span from energy to economics, and more.
Efficiency Analysis
In the sphere of energy systems, Sankey diagrams are instrumental in visualizing energy loss and gain within a process. Engineers and energy analysts can use Sankey charts to pinpoint where energy is lost or conserved, which is helpful in identifying areas for potential improvement in efficiency. For instance, a Sankey chart can illustrate how much fuel is used, how much energy is converted to electricity, and how much energy is lost as waste heat in a power plant.
Resource Flows
Sankey charts are also apt for depicting how resources flow through a supply chain process or a service system. They can illustrate the inputs and outputs of materials, goods, or even money, making it possible to trace the movement of resources and identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in real-time.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Climate change researchers utilize Sankey charts to diagram the production of greenhouse gases across different economic activities. These diagrams help in understanding the relative impact of various sectors on overall emissions, supporting strategies for carbon mitigation and emission reduction targets.
Environmental Impact Assessments
Sankey charts are excellent for presenting the environmental impact of a product or an activity, quantifying the emission flows associated with the production and use of a product. They can show the contribution to air, water, and soil pollution from different activities, a crucial aspect in environmental impact assessments.
Economic Analysis
In economics, Sankey charts are helpful for illustrating complex financial flows between economic sectors or accounts. They can show which industries are the major economic contributors or drains, and allow for the observation of how money circulates through different economic sub-sectors.
Transportation Systems
Transportation planners use Sankey diagrams to map flows of traffic or goods. They can visualize how vehicles or shipments travel, revealing patterns of usage, congestion points, and opportunities for improvement in the transportation network.
Product Life Cycle Analysis
Environmentalists use Sankey charts for a lifecycle assessment (LCA) of a product, demonstrating the materials entering and leaving at each stage, from raw materials extraction to product disposal. This helps in understanding the environmental friendliness of different products and production methods.
Educational Tools
Sankey charts are also a teaching tool, helping students to understand complex systems through visual representation. In schools and universities, these charts can be a valuable asset in illustrating scientific principles, economic systems, and environmental issues.
Creating Sankey Charts
Modern tools like Sankey Diagrams or open-source software like Gephi and Python’s `matplotlib` libraries make creating Sankey charts more accessible to a wider audience. They come with various customization options, including color schemes, annotations, and the ability to scale the diagrams accordingly.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a versatile and engaging format, capable of depicting complex data flows in an understandable and visually appealing way. From energy systems to urban planning and environmental impact assessments, their uses are vast and their value is realized in the many applications across disciplines and industries.
