Metis – A Tool to Harmonize and Analyze Multi-Sectoral Data and Linkages at Variable Spatial Scales

Abstract

Metis was developed to allow users to analyze regional and sub-regional multi-sector dynamics by providing a platform to harmonize and amalgamate data from different models and stakeholders operating at variable spatial scales. Metis is an open-source R package hosted on GitHub. Metis functions collectively allow users to compare, manipulate, and harmonize multi-sector data at user-specified spatial scales, and to identify and quantify sectoral inter-linkages. Each Metis function can also be used independently to support an array of other research applications, such as spatial analysis and data visualization.

Climate-Land-Energy-Water Nexus Models Across Scales: Progress, Gaps and Best Accessibility Practices

“…This is most commonly addressed using concepts from global climate models: via up-scaling (aggregating) or downscaling some of the information Khan et al (2020); Li et al (2018); Chen et al (2019). Other strategies identify spatial and temporal definitions that intersect existing ones (in ECHO, GCAM and other models, river basins are crossed by political border maps and agro-ecological zones).…”

“…Local data collection is particularly critical in areas that lack official surveys or research from governments or institutions. Local data scarcity is often overcome with assumption through extrapolation or downscaling of data at a larger scale or coarse resolution Khan et al (2020); Li et al (2018); Chen et al (2019). Another limitation for small-scale models is the assumptions needed to represent any possible interaction with outside the model scope Martinez-Hernandez et al (2017).…”

The Implications of Global Change for the Co‐Evolution of Argentina's Integrated Energy‐Water‐Land Systems

“…More detailed modeling tools are required to take the next step toward evaluating the dynamic EWL implications of various influences within these regions, as well as to evaluate alternative interventions such as infrastructure and institutional investments. For example, the Metis model (Khan, Wild, Vernon, et al, 2020) is designed specifically to interact with GCAM and its suite of downscaling tools to better understand nexus dynamics at sub-national scale (e.g., within river basins), and has been applied in the Colorado basin for this purpose (Wild, Birnbaum, et al, 2021;Wild, Khan, et al, 2021). Similar studies of more detailed EWL interactions within river basins have been conducted in Asia (Vinca et al, 2020) and Africa (Castelletti et al, 2020), though it remains a challenge to fully project the IAM-based implications of global change onto these river basin models to provide enhanced boundary conditions (Vinca, et al, 2021).…”

Integrated energy-water-land nexus planning in the Colorado River Basin (Argentina)

“…To facilitate evaluation of sub-regional EWL resources, sectoral connectivity, and futures under alternative development strategies, we developed and applied the Metis model. Metis' software design and features are described in the corresponding publication for Metis v.1.0.0 (Khan et al 2020a). Metis integrates multiple sectors within a single framework to facilitate analysis across sectors, including electricity, water, and land, at any user-defined spatial and temporal scale of interest (e.g., small or large river basins, electricity grid regions, or political boundaries).…”

“…The process of assembling, harmonizing, and visualizing data and interconnections across multiple sectors and sub-regions in a single, internally consistent modeling platform is a unique and valuable endeavor in many river basin planning contexts. This study introduces and applies a novel approach to linking together multiple river basin sub-regions, and their constituent energy, water, and land (EWL) systems, in a single platform, Metis (Khan et al 2020a). Metis characterizes and visualizes EWL resource use, EWL system linkages within and among sub-regions, and the EWL nexus implications of future policies and investments.…”