Sankey diagrams, named after Captain Richard V. Sankey, a British engineer who first used them to visually represent steam engine efficiencies, are powerful tools for displaying data flow across a system. Unlike traditional charts that are limited to showing data over time or on a scale, Sankey diagrams illustrate how quantities transition from one state to another through various channels. This makes them invaluable for understanding the flow of information, energy, resources, or any form of quantity being transformed or transferred within a system. Here, we’ll delve into the creation of Sankey diagrams and explore their diverse applications across various fields.
Understanding Sankey Diagrams
A Sankey diagram is essentially a visual representation of a complex system, focusing on input, output, and intermediate steps, and the size of the links reflects the flow volume. The diagram is structured horizontally, with the source (input) of a resource typically at the left, and the destination or destinations (outputs) arranged along the top and right of the diagram. Intermediate states (transformations or losses) are shown as nodes between these ends.
Creating Sankey Diagrams
Creating a Sankey diagram requires numerical data detailing the flow or flow rates in each channel. Once you have this data, you can create a Sankey diagram using various software and programming languages. Here’s a brief overview of how to create one using software and programming languages:
Excel and Power BI:
Excel and Power BI offer straightforward interfaces for creating basic Sankey diagrams through pre-built chart types. Users can input data into columns to represent the inputs and outputs, and the software does the rest.
Python:
Python, with its extensive library of data visualization tools, offers a versatile environment for creating Sankey diagrams. Libraries like matplotlib-sankey and python-sankey allow users to customize their Sankey diagrams, from the color scheme to the thickness of the flow lines.
R:
R users can create Sankey diagrams using the ggplot2 and networkD3 packages. These packages offer an avenue for creating more complex and informative Sankey diagrams with data visualization tools.
Applications of Sankey Diagrams
Sankey diagrams are not confined to energy efficiency and engineering; they are also widely used in:
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Environmental Science: Helping scientists and engineers understand the flow of energy, water, and biodiversity across different systems.
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Energy Management: Evaluating energy efficiency and optimizing energy use in buildings, power plants, and the entire energy supply chain.
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Transportation: Analyzing the flow of passengers or freight through different modes of transportation, highlighting bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
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Financial Analysis: Visualizing the flow of money through a company or economy, including investment flows, income distribution, and economic impact assessment.
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Education: Demonstrating the flow of knowledge, skills, and resources through educational institutions and programs.
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Social Media Analytics: Tracking the flow of content, likes, shares, and impressions across different platforms and users.
Conclusion
Sankey diagrams offer a unique way of presenting complex data in a visually compelling and intuitive manner. Whether you’re a scientist looking to understand energy flows or a business analyst aiming to optimize processes, Sankey diagrams provide a powerful tool for uncovering patterns and insights. With the right software and data, anyone can leverage the power of these diagrams to make informed decisions and communicate their findings more effectively.
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