The Decision Theater and the School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at ASU are partnering with Tec De Monterrey (ITESM), FEMSA and the Inter-American Bank (IDB) to study, develop and deploy a sustainable water planning model in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. This international collaboration will address the prevention of future flooding and optimal water sustainability and planning in the wake of Hurricane Alex and the severe flood which damaged the center of Monterrey, Mexico in the summer of 2010. Sustainable water planning continues to be a critical component of scalable and sustainable energy progress.
Environment Projects
Water Innovation Consortium
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Arizona Solar Market Analysis Research Tool
Science Foundation Arizona, Industry and Universities
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
Challenge
Today, successful renewable energy planning and policy-making require collaborative efforts to solve our state’s energy challenges. Although numerous analyses have been undertaken in the course of regular utility operations and planning, no analytical, flexible and integrated economic, policy, and engineering decision environment exists within which all stakeholders can explore the potential for solar markets in Arizona.
Solution
Arizona’s Solar Market and Research Tool (AzSMART) integrates disparate data and research related to deployment of solar power generation facilities in the state, while collaborating public-private engagement, unique visualization capabilities, and finally, coupling the technical platform dashboards to offer a comprehensive approach for informed decisions based on scientific research.
Results
Through the collaborative efforts of Decision Theater, Electrical Engineering, WP Carey and the U of A, AzSMART’s interactive visualization environment, web-based analysis, and outreach will enable decision makers to engage in a comprehensive framework for Arizona’s deployment of solar.
The Future Of Water Management
Bob Ramsey Executive Education Program
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
Challenge
The Bob Ramsey Executive Education program is a nationally recognized management development program at ASU. The Certified Public Manager (CPM) program wanted to introduce public managers and supervisors at all levels of government to water resource planning and management. The objective for this course was to help senior managers gain insights into and plan for water resource challenges around drought and sustainability
Solution
Decision Theater organized a one-day workshop around water resource management in the Arizona region. Structured group activities introduced participants to water resource and sustainability issues. Participants played the role of water leaders, and made decisions about water planning.
Results
Using visualization, scientifically sound scenarios, a collaborative decision-support tool and ‘backcasting,’ participants gained a sense of urgency that informed their decisions toward a more sustainable future. The event ended with a simulated press conference.
Exploring West Bank Water
Palestinian Water Authority
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Challenge
Limited supply, rapid population growth, costal pollution and other factors threaten the future availability of water for Palestine and Israel.
Solution
A project was designed using well data compiled by the Palestinian Water Authority and the U.S. Geological Survey to help visualize and plan future water allocations from the aquifers under their territories.
Results
The original plan was to collaborate with the PWA, the Palestinian Authority, and the Israeli Government to develop robust visualization tools showing alternative scenarios for future water use. Unfortunately, the Palestinian Authority’s election in Feb. 2006 resulted in most of our contacts losing their positions (at least temporarily), and making travel to Israel and the West Bank considerably less safe.
Scenario Analysis for Arizona’s Water Resources
Decision Center for a Desert City
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Challenge
The Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) is a “boundary organization” that bridges the divide between academic research and policy making. They wanted to show the relationships between climate change, water supplies and urbanization in Phoenix.
Solution
DCDC created a system dynamics model with a graphical “dashboard” that allows water professionals in the state to explore alternative scenarios for growth, water supply and water demand. Called WaterSim, the model incorporates growing water demand on the Salt-Verde watershed and the Colorado River in the face of climatic variability and growth.
Results
DCDC WaterSim has the ability to predict the impact of droughts on Arizona’s watersheds, their impact on regional growth, and assist policy makers to explore sustainable water conservation and use policies.
Visualizing Water Management Issues
East Valley Water Forum
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Challenge
As cities continue to grow, water resource managers face tough challenges maintaining a sustainable water supply. The East Valley Water Forum (EVWF), a collective organization that manages regional water sources for cities in the East Valley of Maricopa County, needed to understand the influence of water management decisions on the groundwater aquifer.
Solution
The Decision Theater developed a 3D visualization tool allowing EVWF stakeholders to synthesize complex data when making water management decisions such as pumping and recharge.
Results
The model, called Numue, (pronounced nee-moo-ay) makes it easy for members to independently review groundwater data on their own office computers. It can also be viewed in stereo (3D) at the Decision Theater when the EVWF collaborates with other groups.
The East Valley Water Forum from CAP on Vimeo.