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Analysis of an urban energy metabolic system: Comparison of simple and complex model results

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  • Zhang, Yan
  • Li, Shengsheng
  • Fath, Brian D.
  • Yang, Zhifeng
  • Yang, Naijin

Abstract

A fundamental difference between simple and complex systems is how the research objects are subdivided to support different study purposes. Based on a comparison between two urban energy system models – one with 5 and the other with 17 sectors – we concluded that the two models were most similar in terms of their description of the overall system structure and most different in terms of their description of specific intra-system relationships. The smaller number of system components and relationships in the 5-sector model facilitated judgments of the system's overall situation, thereby revealing where the key problems were found. In contrast, the 17-sector model provided enough details about the system to assist in the formulation of concrete operational measures to solve specific problems. Our results indicate that the division of a model into sectors should depend on the explicit problem to be solved and the context for that problem; different goals will require different numbers of system components. The results also demonstrate how simple and complex models can be used in tandem to examine a system from different perspectives.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Yan & Li, Shengsheng & Fath, Brian D. & Yang, Zhifeng & Yang, Naijin, 2011. "Analysis of an urban energy metabolic system: Comparison of simple and complex model results," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 223(1), pages 14-19.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:223:y:2011:i:1:p:14-19
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.08.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fath, Brian D., 2007. "Network mutualism: Positive community-level relations in ecosystems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 208(1), pages 56-67.
    2. Zhang, Yan & Yang, Zhifeng & Fath, Brian D. & Li, Shengsheng, 2010. "Ecological network analysis of an urban energy metabolic system: Model development, and a case study of four Chinese cities," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(16), pages 1865-1879.
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    15. Zhu, Xueting & Mu, Xianzhong & Hu, Guangwen, 2019. "Ecological network analysis of urban energy metabolic system—A case study of Beijing," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 404(C), pages 36-45.
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