SYSTEM DYNAMICS PATTERNS RELATED TO ENERGY SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY.

Challenges related to energy systems include an increasing demand for energy as well as growing concerns about environmental impacts related to some energy sources. These challenges drive the need to consider the sustainability of energy sources as well as energy systems. Sustainability includes three major components: social development, economic development and environmental protection. These three "pillars" of sustainability are mutually reinforcing. Sustainability of energy sources and associated energy systems should be considered throughout their lifecycle. A better understanding of energy system sustainability can help decision makers understand the effects of choices made related to energy systems. A systems thinking approach can be applied to understand and evaluate energy system sustainability. System dynamics is used to model important factors and factor relationships. The paper presents examples of system dynamics causal loop patterns that can be used to consider sustainability across different individual energy systems. These patterns can facilitate the development of system dynamics models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]