A web-based Toolbox to support the systemic eco-efficiency assessment in water use systems

Abstract

The eco-efficiency assessment of a water use system at the meso level, as well as the estimation of the anticipated eco-efficiency improvements as a result of innovative practices/technologies, is a conceptually and methodologically challenging issue. A systemic approach is required to capture the complexity of all interrelated aspects and the interactions among the heterogeneous actors involved in the system. This involves mapping the behaviour of the system into representative models, structuring the analysis in easy to understand procedures and developing versatile software tools for supporting the analysis. This paper presents a web-integrated suite of tools and resources (EcoWater Toolbox) for assessing eco-efficiency improvements from innovative technologies in water use systems. Equipped with a continuously updated inventory of currently available technological innovations as well as a repository of eco-efficiency indicators and their evaluation rules, the EcoWater Toolbox supports a comprehensive four-step eco-efficiency assessment of a water use system: (1) allows the users to frame the case study by defining system boundaries, describing the water supply chain and value chains and including all the actors; (2) helps the users to establish a baseline eco-efficiency assessment, using the integrated modelling tools; (3) supports the users in identifying both sector-specific and system-wide technologies and practices to suit their situation, through the integrated technology inventory; and (4) enables the users to assess innovative technology solutions by developing predictive technology scenarios and comparing these with baseline results.At the core of the Toolbox are two modelling tools, which combine both economic and environmental viewpoints into a single modelling framework. The "Systemic Environmental Analysis Tool" (SEAT), assists in building a representation of the physical system, its processes and interactions and forms the basis for evaluating the environmental performance of the system. The "Economic Value chain Analysis Tool" (EVAT), addresses the value chain and focuses on the economic component of the eco-efficiency. Both tools provide a graphical model construction interface that is implemented in client-side and incorporate advanced features such as model scripting.The methodology adopted and the operational aspects of the EcoWater Toolbox are presented and demonstrated through the assessment of the eco-efficiency performance associated with the water value chain in the case of a milk production unit of a dairy industry.

Systemic eco-efficiency assessment of meso-level water use systems

“…The proposed methodological framework has been successfully tested in eight case studies, formulated around a unifying theme (water use in agriculture, urban and industrial systems). The simulation and the assessment of all case studies was performed using the EcoWater Toolbox, an integrated suite of on-line tools and resources for assessing eco-efficiency improvements from the implementation of innovative technologies in water use systems, and a pair of modelling tools, the "Systemic Environmental Analysis Tool" (SEAT) and the Economic Value chain Analysis Tool" (EVAT), which combines both economic and environmental viewpoints into a single modelling framework (Arampatzis et al, 2014). The characterization factors for the foreground system, included in the indicators inventory of the Toolbox, are extracted from the CML-IA database (Guinee, et al, 2001).…”

“…Three alternative scenarios are formulated for each case study, consisting of technologies implemented in both the water supply chain and the production chain. All the examined technologies are presented in Table 6 whereas a more detailed description can be found in the EcoWater Toolbox technology inventory (Arampatzis et al, 2014). The water supply chain technologies are implemented in all the case studies, provided that they are applicable to the system (i.e.…”

Energy savings and reduced emissions in combined natural and engineered systems for wastewater treatment and reuse: the WWTP of Antiparos Island, Greece

“…An integrated software modelling and simulation environment was used for the assessment of the performance of the Antiparos cNES. This modelling environment is an extension of the SEAT tool developed by Arampatzis et al [16]. It assists in building the representation of a cNES by integrating libraries for the modeling of engineered and natural treatment processes and their interactions.…”

Sustainable consumption and production – Research, experience, and development – The Europe we want

“…Paper 4 (Arampatzis et al, 2016): The authors considered the eco-efficiency assessment of a water use system at the meso-scale and the estimation of eco-efficiency improvements, based on the findings of the EcoWater Toolbox, developed from the Eco-Water project (2014) and which has been adopted as an online platform from that project. The Toolbox, which combines a "Systemic Environmental Analysis Tool (SEAT)" for environmental assessment and an "Economic Value-chain Analysis Tool (EVAT)" for economic assessment, supports a four-step process to assess a water use M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT system through system framing, baseline eco-efficiency assessment, identification of technologies and technology scenario assessment.…”