Sankey charts are a visual tool used to represent directed and undirected networks of fluid flows. These charts have been used in many fields, including economics, transportation, and engineering, to represent the complex flow of data in complex systems. In this article, we will explore the basics of creating a Sankey chart and the applications of these charts in real-world systems.
What is a Sankey chart?
A Sankey chart is a diagram that shows the flow of data in a directed and/or undirected network. It is a graph that consists of multiple layers of nodes and links, each representing a different type of data. The flow of data is represented by a line in different colors, with each color indicating the direction of flow. The direction of flow can be either forward or backward.
Sankey charts are made up of four main components:

1. Nodes: It is a node that represents a single type of data, such as information, energy, or material. Each node also has a color that indicates the amount of data it contains.
2. Edges: It is a link between two nodes representing the direction of data flow between them. The color of the edge indicates the direction of flow. In diagrams, the flow of data from node A to node B is represented as an arrow pointing from A to B, and the flow of data from B to A is represented as a reverse arrow pointing from B to A.
3. Scale: It is the size of each node and edge on the chart. The scale determines the size of each node and the thickness of each edge on the chart.
4. Labels: It is text that appears next to each node and edge on the chart. The label describes the type of data the node or edge represents, and the amount of data contained on each node.

How to Create Sankey Chart
To create a Sankey chart, you need to first create the network of nodes and edges. The nodes will represent the different types of data (e.g., information, energy, or material) and the edges will represent the direction of flow (forward or backward). You can use a software such as GraphHopper or GeoGebra to create the network.
Next, you need to assign colors to each node and edge based on the type of data it represents. For example, information nodes of the same type should have the same color, and energy nodes of the same type should have a different color.
Once you have created the chart, you should adjust the scale, such as increasing the size of nodes and edges to better represent their sizes, and adjusting the line thickness, so that it reflects the importance of the flow of data.
Applications of Sankey Chart
Sankey charts can be used to visually represent complex network data from many fields, including science, engineering, business, and transportation. Here are some examples of real-world applications of Sankey charts:

1. Energy systems: Use Sankey charts to visualize the flow of energy in different energy systems, such as power plants, pipelines, and transmission lines.
2. Water systems: Use Sankey charts to visualize the flow of water in different water systems, such as irrigation networks, distribution pipes, and reservoirs.
3. Information systems: Use Sankey charts to visualize the flow of information in different information systems, such as email networks, social media, and file sharing networks.
4. Supply chain networks: Use Sankey charts to visualize the flow of materials and resources in supply chain networks.

Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visually representing complex network data, and they are widely used in many fields, including engineering, business, and transportation. They are easy to create and understand and provide an efficient way to visualize the flow of data in complex systems.

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