Simulation process and data flow for a large system dynamics model. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bush, Brian; Stright, Dana; Huggins, Jay; Newes, Emily
• Is Part Of: Simulation. Volume 98:Number 9(2022)
• Page Start: 823
• Page End: 833
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: System dynamics -- simulation analytics -- visual analytics -- biomass scenario model -- ensemble steering; Computer simulation -- Periodicals; 003.3
• DOI: 10.1177/00375497221093381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0037-5497

Abstract

This paper documents the workflow and supporting technologies that a large system dynamics model, the biomass scenario model, employs to streamline the data preparation, simulation, quality control, and analysis process at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The workflow centers on automation of routine aspects of the flow of data between data stores, simulations, and visualizations. It enforces quality checks on data, reproducibility of computations, and traceability of results, while maintaining complete archives of modeling and analysis artifacts. The resulting frictionless simulation/analysis environment supports large-scale sensitivity analysis, interactive creation of ensembles of simulations, and rapid visualization-based exploration of simulation results.