System Dynamics Modelling Process in Water Sector: a Review of Research Literature

Abstract

System dynamics (SD) approach is a framework for reproducing the behaviour of the real systems. This approach has demonstrated a proven capability in modelling the dynamic interactions among the factors affecting the behaviour of complex systems and therefore can be used by researchers and policymakers as a useful decision tool. Recently, many researchers have devoted significant efforts in adopting the SD modelling technique in water sector, where complex interactions and feedback loops govern the behaviour of the system. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review of scholarly papers in the water sector on the development of the SD models followed by discussion on different steps of the modelling process. A discussion of each step is accompanied by the water sector examples, exemplified in the existing literature. The paper also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using system dynamics in the water sector and provides directions for future research in this field. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exact reliability evaluation of infrastructure networks using graph theory

“…Forthcoming work might usefully seek to propose a method, which further decreases the computational efforts to broaden the capability of the model for the reliability evaluation of large networks. Additionally, as suggested by Zarghami et al, INs are fundamentally complex dynamics networks, as a result, the reliability of these networks may vary over time. This work provides a snapshot of the network reliability at a given point in time.…”

Improving the Performance of Water Distribution Networks Based on the Value Index in the System Dynamics Framework

“…For instance, considering different climate and socioeconomic variables [49], the per capita demand is simulated according to Equation (23), using the multivariate linear regression model. In addition, in each SD time step, the average pressure and velocity of the network are calculated using Equations (24) and (25). After evaluating the performance of the network in the SD framework, scenarios are applied to improve the value index of the WDN.…”

“…The results concluded that three main challenges of the water resources were low efficiency in utilizing the water resources, low water reuse, and increasing the industrial demand. Zarghami et al [24] performed a comprehensive review of journal papers to investigate the application of SD method in the water sector. They concluded that SD approach has been widely used in the water resource field whereas, the performance of WDNs has not taken into consideration using SD.…”

System Dynamics Approach for Evaluating Existing and Future Water Allocation Planning Among Conflicting Users

“…The systems dynamics simulation approach resembles a complex phenomenon from a smaller, readily understood interdependent sub-system using feedback and delay processes that allows conservation of energy, time, and funds in deriving maximum net societal benefit (Amoo, 2018) and (Zarghami et al, 2018). They are built from connectors, modifiers, flows, and stocks.…”

“…They are built from connectors, modifiers, flows, and stocks. System Dynamics applications in water resources have been comprehensively reviewed by different authors (Mirchi et al, 2013), (Gain, Giupponi, 2015), (Sivapalan, 2015), (Stave, Birgit, 2017), (Duran-Encalada et al, 2017) and (Zarghami, et al, 2018). The system dynamics modelling method stems from 'Dynamo' invented by Forrester at MIT in the 1960s (Sterman, 2018).…”