Imagine being able to see, at a mere glance, not only how much energy and resources are being consumed or produced but also how they flow through systems and networks. Sankey diagrams, or Sankey charts, might just be the innovation you’re looking for to achieve this clear visualization. Let’s delve into what makes Sankey charts so powerful and how they can help unlock new understandings about your energy and resource flows.
Sankey charts are named after their inventor, Ernst Eduard Schmiedelein, a German engineer who patented the chart in the XIX century. They have been a staple in engineering for decades, especially in industries related to thermal power, mechanical processes and energy management. Now, in the age of digital transformation, these diagrams are making a comeback, transforming the way organizations and researchers understand complex data.
**Understanding the Flow: The Sankey Diagram’s Unique Structure**
What sets Sankey charts apart from other types of diagrams is their flow structure. Instead of lines connecting discrete nodes, Sankey charts use a wide, thin, or hollow conduit to represent energy or material flow. The width of these conduits is proportionally related to the amount of flow — narrower conduits signify a smaller flow, while wider ones indicate a larger flow.
Here’s what makes the Sankey chart a valuable tool for energy and resource visualization:
**1. Highlighting Efficiency**
Sankey charts allow for the immediate identification of areas of inefficiency. A narrowing stream of material or energy at the output stage suggests that resources are being wasted or converted with poor efficiency.
**2. Visualizing Complexity**
They enable the depiction of complex processes with a relatively small number of diagrams. By simplifying complicated energy or supply chains, you can identify bottlenecks and streamline workflows to maximize efficiency.
**3. Enhancing Communication**
Sankey charts are comprehensible to both technical professionals and laypeople. This makes them excellent tools for collaborating across diverse disciplines and for educating stakeholders about system processes.
**Creating a Sankey Chart: Step by Step**
So, you want to leverage the power of Sankey charts for your energy and resource analysis? Here’s a basic outline to start the process:
1. **Define Your Flow**: Decide what you want to measure. It could be energy or material flow, or the flow of nutrients in an ecosystem.
2. **Break Down Your Flow**: Map out where the flow starts and where it ends. Then, identify all the steps in between.
3. **Calculate Flows**: Quantify how much material or energy is moving in and out of each part of the process.
4. **Design the Chart**: Choose a software tool that allows you to create Sankey charts efficiently, such as Sankey Creator, Sigma.js, or Tableau. Enter your data and set up your flow conduits accordingly.
5. **Review and Adjust**: Check your chart carefully and make any necessary adjustments to make sure that the flow and the conduits accurately represent your data.
6. **Share Your Insights**: Once your Sankey diagram is complete, use it to share your findings across your organization or with external stakeholders.
Embracing Sankey charts in energy and resource management can lead to better decision-making, process optimization, and overall efficiency. By providing a snapshot of the flow of resources and energy, Sankey charts are a dynamic tool for analyzing data in a way that both informs and inspires action.
