Sankey Streams: Visualizing Energy and Materials Flows
Sankey streams are a type of diagram used to represent the flow of energy or materials between different processes or entities. They are named after the Dutch engineer process mapping specialist Jan Sankey, who originally developed the technique in the 1930s.
Sankey charts are often used to visualize the inputs and outputs of a process, and to identify opportunities for reducing waste or improving efficiency. They are particularly useful for understanding complex systems, such as energy grids or supply chains.
Creating a Sankey Chart
To create a Sankey chart, you will need to follow these steps:
- Identify the processes or entities involved in the flow of energy or materials.
- Determine the direction of the flow, and the starting and ending points for each process.
- Collect data on the amount of energy or material flowing between each pair of processes.
- Draw ovals to represent the processes, and arrows to indicate the flow of energy or material.
- Label the chart to provide additional context and to clarify the relationships between the processes.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts have a wide range of applications, including:
- Energy analysis: They can be used to visualize the flow of energy between different stakeholders, such as producers, distributors, and consumers.
- Manufacturing and supply chain analysis: Sankey charts can help to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement in these systems.
- Environmental management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials and energy within an ecosystem, and to identify potential areas for conservation or restoration.
- Financial management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of assets or funds between different accounts or entities.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of energy and materials between different processes or entities. They are particularly useful for understanding complex systems, and can help to identify opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing waste.
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.
