Systems Thinking and Renewable Energy in Australia - Essay Example

SYSTEMS THINKING AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Student’s Name Course Professor’s Name University City (State) Date Systems Thinking and Renewable Energy in Australia Reviewing Systems Thinking Systems thinking generally refers to a holistic approach of analysis which emphasizes on the manner in which constituent parts of the system are intertwined, and how the systems are able to function in the long-term especially within larger systems (Shaked & Schechter 2017). The systems thinking technique differs from traditional techniques of analysis which analyses systems by dividing them into separate constituent parts (Shelly & Rosenblatt 2012). Generally, systems thinking can be importantly applied to various research areas, including the study and analysis of educational, human resources, economic, political, environmental and medical systems, and so on. A system can thus be generally described as a set of interacting or interrelated constituents/ parts. An understanding of a system in systems thinking is consequently of utmost value in order to be able to discern and analyze the interactions and linkages that exist between the constituent parts that make up the whole system (Shelly & Rosenblatt 2012). The entirety of a system is a systems thinking perspective of organizations which are complete in relation to their environment. The systems thinking approach offers a method of comprehending, examining and discussing the construction and design of an organization as a complex and integrated composition of the numerous inter-connected non-human and human systems (Shaked & Schechter 2017). Generally, whole systems are made up of basic units (systems) which are in turn composed of numerous entities (such as people, practices, processes and policies), which also be further sub-divided into smaller sub-systems. A system can be regarded as either having a relationship with its environment, hence open systems, or having external boundaries that are clear, that is, closed systems (Shelly & Rosenblatt 2012). The perspective of the open systems is the most common and realistic approach that will be utilized for this study. Systems thinking allows for boundaries of entire systems to be defined and chosen at levels that are suitable for the given purpose that is under consideration, in this case, Australia’s migration to energy sources that are renewable. Renewable Energy Initiatives in Australia Renewable energy is a phrase that is basically used to define forms of energy that are obtained from renewable resources. These sources are replenished naturally. The renewable sources of energy include sunlight, geothermal heat, waves, tides, rain and wind (Shafiullah 2016). Renewable energy has proven very useful in electricity generation, off-grid (rural) energy services, transportation, as well as water and air cooling/ heating. Australia presently relies heavily on the use of natural gas, oil and coal for energy. The fossil fuels are not only non-renewable, but are also known to be expensive and largely environmentally unfriendly. On the other hand, renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar energy are continually (naturally) replenished. Such renewable sources can be harnessed and used to generate electricity alongside a host of other important domestic, industrial and commercial purposes (Ali & Shahnia 2017). A shift towards the use of alternative renewable sources of energy can thus be very important in terms of ensuring sustainability in Australia and other parts of the world, instead of the adherence to unsustainable non-renewable sources. Solar energy, for one, has been tipped to become one of the chief sources of energy in Australia in the next few years. Australia is conveniently located in suitable latitude and has a favorable climate which has since allowed it to be among the top ten nations of the world in terms of the capacity for solar energy production (Shafiullah 2016). Australia is looking to realize its potential in terms of solar energy production and other renewable energy sources in its quest for increased sustainability. In 2016, for example, the ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency) announced that the country would have successfully installed at lease twelve new solar power generation sites by December 2017 (Ali & Shahnia 2017). These new plants would be situated in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, and were predicted to sustainable provide energy for approximately 200,000 homes in Australia. Besides the fact that these plants will boost the use of renewable energy in Australia, the plants will also offer a boost to the nation’s economy since thousands of job opportunities are predicted for the Queensland area alone. These are long-term jobs that will not be lost due to the depletion of energy resources as in fossil fuel (non-renewable) energy production. The largest plant of the 12 will be located in the south-west of Brisbane, in Darling Down, according to the announcement. Australia is keen on shifting towards solar and other forms of renewable energy. Several other world nations have also aggressively embarked on steadily increasing their renewable energy sector. Once installed, renewable energy plants (like the solar panels) yield no harmful emissions and do not require extensive maintenance drills as do other forms of non-renewable energy. (Shafiullah 2016) Keeping in mind that these renewable sources will never be depleted, Australia shall have made concrete steps towards overcoming its sustainability challenges. The shift will also steadily reduce the prices of energy in Australia which are often kept high by the constantly rocketing prices of gas and other non-renewable sources. However, when wading into the important debate on the shift to renewable sources of energy, the managing director for Energy Australia, Catherine Tanna, reckoned that a robust plan was urgently needed in order to make this shift a reality in the next few years (Ali & Shahnia 2017). Systems thinking has not only enabled the conceptualization of this solution to energy sustainability challenge in Australia and other parts of the globe, but is also critical towards ensuring sound implementation of such sustainability initiatives (Shaked & Schechter 2017). Systems Thinking and Sustainability Various businesses, governments and individual players in Australia have aggressively begun to shoulder the responsibility of spearheading the efforts towards environmental and social welfare, such as through corporate social responsibility initiative regarding the shift towards clean and renewable sources of energy. The case for energy sustainability has been made in a clear and precise manner. According to the analysis of Dr. Hoffman and John Ehrenfeld, the negative impact of human beliefs on the planet has necessitated the use of systems thinking approaches towards ensuring sustainability (Gibson 2016). This phase of sustainability evolution in terms of energy includes efforts that are aimed at curbing the extinction of thousands of plant and animal species, deforestation, famine, poverty, environmental degradation and global conflict over energy reserves. Systems thinking has thus facilitated the framing of challenges and their solutions in the form of systems. Responses or shifts towards renewable energy sources have consequently led to an enhanced coordination and cooperation between relevant stakeholders, organizational innovation and technological revolutions that are aimed at attaining the desired change (Gibson 2016. Within the context of individual organizations in Australia, it has since time immemorial proven impossible to implement strategies on renewable energy and environmental preservation by assigning the task to a single unit/ department within the organization (Rezvani et al 2017). In the end, the strategies for renewable energy and environmental preservation will influence the course of regulatory compliance, strategic direction, supply chain logistics, operational efficiency, resource availability, disaster preparedness, resilience, insurance risk management, cost of capital, consumer demand, employee culture and retention, corporate reputation and new product development (Ali & Shahnia 2017). A renewable energy and environmental strategy that is focused on only a few of the above mentioned areas have usually proven ineffective and unachievable in the long-term (Rahman & Mamun 2016). Besides the individual corporations in Australia, the complex issues surrounding the adoption and shift to renewable energy sources must be tackled by all the relevant stakeholders working as a unit/ system (Macgregor 2013). Systems thinking allows for the players in the renewable energy initiatives to understand the different parts (especially the stakeholders) of the intended plan so that these component parts are brought into relationship with each other, instead of treating each component in isolation (Gibson 2016. In order to solve the challenges of sustainable energy production, the problematic aspects of the implementation must be treated in relation to the whole system. In relation to renewable energy migration, systems thinking enables engagement of important project stakeholders and partners such as in the regions of Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales. The process of modeling in each area is a continuous and iterative process which is based on discussion and feedback, instead of strategic planning. The active modeling process of systems thinking permits stakeholders to acquire more insight and knowledge concerning the problematic situation (renewable energy shift/ initiative) hence facilitating a system of learning (Hua, Oliphant & Hu 2016). As time goes by, areas of improvement in the plans are identified and appropriate action taken, leading to development of an effective energy plan with suitable objectives. According to Rezvani et al (2017), through the engagement of the various stakeholders in renewable energy in Australia, the systems thinking approach provides clear knowledge on the best methods and plans for renewable energy projects at the national, regional, city and district levels. The methodologies that are developed in the pioneer year are scaled up in the consequent years with the goal of coming up with smarter plans (Macgregor 2013). When the project is successfully completed, the methodology utilized can then be used as a template for other regions of Australia as well, thus spurring the shift towards renewable energy in a safe, cost-effective and efficient manner. The roles of the stakeholders in renewable energy plans often vary. The project developer, for instance, can function as a salesperson, owner and/ or operator of the final site, while also taking part in selecting contractors, negotiating contracts, selecting and acquiring sites, ensuring project viability, and so on (Shafiullah 2016). The EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) firm, on the other hand, can design and engineer the array, conduct permit applications, procure the required materials, and manage the process of construction (Effendi & Courvisanos 2012). The utility can handle bids for renewable energy so that targets for usage/ procurement are met. The landowner of the intended site is also a useful stakeholder that determines such aspects as the options of lease, while the government can offer funding for such community projects, and ensure compliance with the codes of construction (Shafiullah 2016). In addition, such projects also often have multiple financial stakeholders, regardless of the projects’ structures. Furthermore, systems thinking in renewable energy shift means considering other aspects like the economy, the extraction of the resource, transmission infrastructure and even transportation (Rahman & Mamun 2016). Systems thinking also ensures that any impact of the renewable energy, such as climate change, greenhouse emission and pollution, are carefully considered. People dynamics, including the alleviation of poverty, provision of jobs, human health, and the growth of population are equally taken into account using systems thinking (Hua, Oliphant & Hu 2016). All these components of renewable energy in Australia find their fit in the systems thinking approach. Conclusion There is indeed a great challenge when seeking to shift from the traditional fossil energy to renewable sources of energy. This challenge is experienced by businesses, governments and individuals alike. It is not possible to handle energy consumption in isolation. There are both negative and positive impacts and consequences of energy consumption. For instance, numerous systems have suffered as a result of the initial perspective of businesses in focusing on economic gain ahead of climate change. Such a perspective creates a false illusion of progress, while the energy, atmospheric and earth systems continue to collapse (Effendi & Courvisanos 2012). However, using the systems thinking approach, vital information can be obtained on the leverage points of energy systems (Shaked & Schechter 2017). Systems thinking offers the chance to identify feedback loops, while using innovation, technologies and practices to achieve flexibility and to develop buffers in the shift towards renewable energy use in Australia and any part of the world. Systems thinking permit positive changes to the new energy initiatives, and the incorporation of new realities and goals therein. Systems thinking provide a useful approach for navigating the challenges of sustainability since the approach considers issues from the macroscopic scale, in contrast to the traditional models that are narrow-minded in their approaches (Shelly & Rosenblatt 2012). As the world continues to experience ever-increasing globalization and industrialization, systems thinking become very important in dealing with arising complexities/ problems like energy (Hua, Oliphant & Hu 2016). Systems thinking is therefore critical in formulating solutions to challenges in sustainability, and dealing with the wicked problem of shifting to more renewable energy sources in Australia. Reference List Ali, L., & Shahnia, F. (2017). Determination of an Economically-Suitable and Sustainable Standalone Power System for an Off-Grid Town in Western Australia. Renewable Energy, 106, 243-254. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2016.12.088 Effendi, P., & Courvisanos, J. 2012, Political Aspects of Innovation: Examining Renewable Energy in Australia, Renewable Energy, 38(1), 245-252, doi:10.1016/j.renene.2011.07.039 Gibson, R. B. 2016, Sustainability Assessment, Applications and Opportunities, New York: Routledge. Hua, Y., Oliphant, M., & Hu, E. J. 2016, Development of Renewable Energy in Australia and China: A Comparison of Policies and Status, Renewable Energy, 85, 1044-1051, doi:10.1016/j.renene.2015.07.060 Macgregor, D. 2013, Thinking about Systems of Systems Thinking, PsycCRITIQUES, 58(21), doi:10.1037/a0032048 Rahman, M. M., & Mamun, S. 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