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Whole
System Design: An Integrated Approach to Sustainable
Engineering
Whole
System Approaches are increasingly being seen
as key to the most cost effective reduction in
negative environmental impacts for designing everything
from cars, motors, lighting systems, to buildings,
cities, industry plants, farming and agricultural
practices. Indeed, it is now widely acknowledged
that all designers - engineers, architects, industrial
designers and urban planners - need to become
more educated and skilled in how to implement
Whole System Approaches to Sustainable Design.
Buildings and technologies often have long design
lives so it is critical for all designers to ensure
that new designs are as sustainable as possible.
Whole System Approaches to Sustainable Design
can help to achieve 75 percent (Factor 4) or greater
eco-efficiency savings in new designs. This is
because “by the time the design for most
human artifacts is completed but before they have
actually been built, about 80-90
percent of their life-cycle economic and ecological
costs have already been made inevitable.”[1]
Newly designed buildings and technologies often
have long design lives hence it is critical that
all designers ensure that new designs are as sustainable
as possible.
One
of the key conclusions of the Australian Federal
Government's 5-year Energy Efficiency Best
Practice (EEBP) program run by the Department
of Industry, Tourism and Resources, was that
Whole System Design Approaches can assist
to achieve large eco-efficiency savings in
existing built environment and industrial
technical systems. Take for instance motor
systems that are used in almost every industry.
The EEBP found that a Whole System Approach
to optimising industrial motor driven applications,
when coupled with best practice motor management,
can deliver energy savings of between 30-60
percent.
The
recently completed Whole System Design Suite
provides introductory, technical design teaching
material to demonstrate how advances in energy,
materials and water efficiency can be achieved
through applying a Whole System Approach to
Sustainable Design. The suite comprises 10
units of content (explained in detail below),
where:
Units 1-5 outline in detail
how to implement a ‘Whole
System Approach’ to Sustainable
Design. These units show how the
operational elements of a Whole
System Approach to Sustainable Design
can enhance a traditional approach.
Units 6-10 focus on demonstrating
through worked examples, the application
of a Whole System Design Approach
to: 1) industrial pumping systems,
2) passenger vehicles, 3) electronics
and computer systems, 4) temperature
control of buildings, and 5) domestic
water systems.
Whole
System Design: An Integrated Approach to Sustainable
Engineering
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Unit
1 explains the importance and relevance of a
Whole System Approach to Sustainable Design
in addressing the pressing environmental challenges
of the 21st Century. It introduces the main
concepts of a Whole System Approach to Sustainable
Design and how it complements 'design for environment'
and 'design for sustainability' strategies.
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Unit |
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Unit
2 provides an introduction to conventional Systems
Engineering, setting the context for Units 3-
5. Unit 2 highlights the similarities and differences
between some of the principles and motivations
of good Systems Engineering and a Whole System
Approach to Sustainable Design.
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Unit |
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Unit
3 illustrates clearly how a Whole System Approach
fits into the traditional engineering methodologies
of Systems Engineering that are taught in engineering
schools all around the world. This unit outlines
traditional operational Systems Engineering
processes as described in leading Systems Engineering
text books and highlights how they can be further
enhanced through a Whole System Approach for
Sustainable Design.
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Unit
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Figure 3.3 |
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Unit
4 presents a 'how-to' of the first 5 of the
10 key elements of Whole System Approach to
Sustainable Design. The application of each
element for optimal sustainability and competitive
advantage is discussed and then demonstrated
with case studies.
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Unit |
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Unit
5 presents a 'how-to' of the last 5 of the 10
Key elements of Whole System Approach to Sustainable
Design. The application of each element for
optimal sustainability and competitive advantage
is discussed and then demonstrated with case
studies. |
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Unit |
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Unit
6 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a single- pipe,
single-pump system, focussed on a) reconfiguring
the layout for lower head loss and b) considering
the effect of many combinations of pipe diameter
and pump power on life cycle cost. The WSD system
uses 88% less power and has a 79% lower 50-year
life cycle cost than the conventional system.
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Unit
Appendix
A | Appendix
B | Appendix
C | Appendix
D
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Binder Package |
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Unit
7 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a passenger vehicle
focussed on reducing mass by 52% and reducing
drag by 55%, which then reduces rolling resistance
by 65% and makes a fuel cell propulsion system
cost effective. The WSD vehicle is also almost
fully recyclable, generates zero operative emissions
and has a 95% better fuel-mass- consumption
per kilometre than the equivalent conventional
vehicle. |
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Unit |
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Unit
8 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a computer server
focussed on using the right-sized, energy efficient
components, which then reduces the heat generated.
The WSD server has 60% less mass and uses 84%
less power than the equivalent server, which
would reduce cooling load in a data centre by
63%. |
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Unit |
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Unit
9 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a simple house focussed
on: a) optimising the building orientation;
b) optimising glazing and shading; and c) using
more energy efficient electrical appliances
and lamps. While the WSD house has a $3000 greater
capital cost than the conventional house, it
has a 29% lower cooling load will reduce energy
costs by $15,000 over 30 years. |
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Unit |
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Unit
10 comprises a worked example of a Whole System
Approach to the redesign of a domestic onsite
water system focussed on: a) using water efficiency
appliances in the house; and b) optimising the
onsite wastewater treatment subsystem, which
then reduces the capacity and cost of the subsurface
drip irrigation subsystem, and reduced the operating
and maintenance costs. The WSD system uses 57%
less water and has a 29% lower 20-year life
cycle cost than the conventional system. |
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Unit |
I
have
gone
through
your
Whole
System
Design
Suite
and
am
greatly
impressed
with
what
has
been
accomplished!
The
material
seems
to
be
VERY
well
organized,
quite
comprehensive,
and
quite
complete.
I
like
the
rather
unique
approach
in
your
material,
addressing
ALL
categories
of
systems
from
a
total
life-cycle
perspective,
which
facilitates
broad
application.
Congratulations
on
producing
an
excellent
package.
It
sounds
like
an
exciting
time
ahead.
Emeritus
Professor
Benjamin
S.
Blanchard,
Department
of
Industrial
and
System
Engineering,
Virginia
Polytechnic
Institute
and
State
University,
and
Co-author
of
Systems
Engineering
and
Analysis.
The
Whole Systems Design (WSD) suite
developed by The Natural Edge
Project (TNEP) will be an invaluable
resource in the near future for
the education of systems engineers
on matters of sustainability and
design. It provides a seamless
link between the traditional system
engineering design approach and
the wider perspective of environmental
and social effects that future
engineers need to consider. The
WSD material is lucid and concise
but also has sufficient technical
depth to be useful and challenging
for all students in the tertiary
sector. In particular, the high
impact examples and case studies
clearly illustrate the new systems
thinking. I am already integrating
the WSD suite into the systems
engineering curriculum of the
ANU Engineering undergraduate
programme. Students are being
introduced to the WSD suite in
2nd year (2007) and the impact,
in terms of sustainability awareness
and responsibilities for future
engineer practice, is immediate.
The TNEP material is, therefore,
already changing the perspective
and thinking of our future engineers
and aligning their design skills
to address the global environmental
challenges.
Dr
Paul Compston, Department of Engineering,
Australian National University.
The
Natural Edge
Project’s
Whole System
Design Suite
will provide
a valuable resource
that can contribute
significantly
to technical
design curriculum
in university
courses and
professional
training. I
have used a
whole system
design approach,
as is described
and demonstrated
in the Suite,
to improve resource
efficiency of
products and
industrial processes
often by a factor
of 2 or better.
An exciting
consequence
of applying
a whole system
design approach
is the drastically
reduced need
for end-of-pipe
treatment, both
in the local
area and potentially
in the wider
air, soil and
waterways. The
Suite is the
first free resource
that I’ve
seen that goes
into sufficient
detail for the
reader to comprehensively
grasp the concepts
involved in
a Whole System
Design approach.
A great attribute
of the Suite
is that it is
not simply a
set of a stand-alone
ideas –
it provides
a strong foundation
for embedding
sustainable
design into
the popular
design process
already taught
to students
and professionals
in Australia
and around the
world. It is
evident that
a great deal
of thought went
into ensuring
that the ideas
in the Suite
could be quickly
and easily integrated
with current
practices, and
ensuring that
the ideas are
universally
applicable to
all engineering
and technical
design disciplines.
I commend The
Natural Edge
Project for
their efforts
and the Department
of the Environment
and Water Resources
for supporting
the project.
Adjunct
Professor
Alan Pears,
School of
Global Studies,
Social Science
& Planning,
Royal Melbourne
Institute
of Technology.
The
whole system
design suite
gives a comprehensive
introduction
to whole system
design approach
as the basis
for transformative
action. Education
for Sustainability
has to be more
than “bolt
on” environmental
papers in existing
programmes,
and this is
the best example
I’ve seen
of resources
to support sustainability
as an integrated
and transformative
driver.
Associate
Professor Samuel Mann, Department
of Information Technology, Otago
Polytechnic, New Zealand.
The
Industrial
Pumping
Systems
Unit
is
nice
example
that
illustrates
the
point
well.
Emeritus
Professor Bruce
R. Munson, Department
of Aerospace
Engineering,
Iowa State University.
The
Unit on Domestic Water Systems
within the Whole Systems Design
suite developed by The Natural
Edge Project (TNEP) eloquently
captures the current household
water challenge, that is, achieving
both fit-for-purpose and efficient
water use, to reduce the water
footprint of this sector of the
economy. Current data about water
consumption, available technology,
and cost across the life cycle
of the technology; illustrate
sensible, simple and appropriate
design solutions for engineers
looking to understand and implement
best-practice water systems engineering.
Capital and operating costs are
included by TNEP through case
studies, to confirm that water
efficient design is the only way
forward to meet water needs for
households, on a least cost basis,
and a quality appropriate to purpose.
In addition, the Unit will enlighten
users on the environmental and
economic benefits of moving from
linear household water use, treatment
and disposal systems, to more
enclosed water use systems, through
appropriate and sensible engineering
design.
Nick Edgerton, AMP Capital
Sustainability Fund, formerly
of the Institute for Sustainable
Futures at the University of Technology,
Sydney.
Preliminaries
Text
Book: In the preparation of any education
program, and in particular an introductory course,
it is a challenge to cover all possible questions
or uncertainties that may arise during delivery
of the material. In response to this challenge,
this course is supported by the text book developed
by our team, namely 'Hargroves, K. and Smith,
M.H. (2005) The Natural
Advantage of Nations: Business Opportunities,
Innovation and Governance in the 21st Century,
Earthscan, London'. References and optional reading
material is provided for each lecture for those
who wish to explore the content in more detail.
Acknowledgements
The
development of the Whole System Design Suite has been
supported by grants from the Australian Federal Department
of the Environment and Water Resources (DEWR) as part
of the 2005/06 and 2006/07 Environmental Education
Grants Program.
The
development of the Engineering Sustainable Solutions
Program has been supported by grants from the following
organisations:
-
UNESCO,
Division of Basic and Engineering Sciences, Natural
Sciences Sector (with particular support and mentoring
from Tony Marjoram, Senior Programme Specialist
- Engineering Sciences, and Françoise Lee).
-
The Institution of Engineers Australia, College
of Environmental Engineers (with particular support
and mentoring from Martin Dwyer, Director Engineering
Practice, and Peter Greenwood, Doug Jones, Andrew
Downing, Tim Macoun, Julie Armstrong and Paul
Varsanyi).
-
The Society for Sustainability and Environmental
Engineering (with particular support and mentoring
from Terrence Jeyaretnam).
-
The Australian Federal Department of the Environment
and Water Resources (DEWR) as part of the 2005/06
and 2006/07 Environmental Education Grants Program.
Expert review and mentoring: Expert review
and mentoring for the Whole System Design Suite has
been received from Benjamin S. Blanchard, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University; Alan Pears,
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; Paul Compston,
The Australian National University; Kazem Abhary,
University of South Australia; Lee Luong, University
of South Australia; Philip Bangerter, Hatch; Mehdi
Toophanpour Rami, University of Adelaide; Angus Simpson,
University of Adelaide; Wim Dekkers, Queensland University
of Technology; Robert Mierisch, Hydro Tasmania Consulting;
Bruce R. Munson, Iowa State University; Colin Kestel,
University of Adelaide; Bolle Borkowsky, Worely Parsons;
Al Blake, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology;
Dylan Lu, University of Sydney; Chandrakant Patel,
Hewlett-Packard; Janis Birkeland, Queensland University
of Technology; Veronica Soebarto, University of Adelaide;
Nick Edgerton, AMP Capital Sustainability Fund (formerly
of the University of Technology Sydney Institute of
Sustainable Futures).
Citation:
Stasinopoulos, P., Smith, M., Hargroves, K. and Desha,
C. (2008) Whole System Design - An Integrated
Approach to Sustainable Engineering, Earthscan,
London, and The Natural Edge
Project, Australia.
References
[1]
Hawken, P. Lovins, A. and Lovins, H. (1999) Natural
Capitalism: The Next Industrial Revolution, Chapter
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