[Env seminars] "Decision Making for Sustainability", Jim Petrie, U. of Sydney - 10/5/05

[Karen Gibson]

Environment and Sustainability Seminar Series
Sponsored by the MIT Laboratory for Energy and the Environment (LFEE)
http://lfee.mit.edu

"Decision Making for Sustainability: Consideration of Multiple 
Stakeholders, Uncertainty, and Evolving Networks - Some Examples from 
the South African Energy Sector"
Prof. Jim Petrie, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of 
Sydney, Australia

Wednesday, October 5, 2005
12:00 noon
E40-496 (1 Amherst St.)

Abstract
The practice of decision making for sustainability requires explicit 
consideration of the values and perspectives of all stakeholders in 
the decision situation. At the same time, there is a need to 
understand and, where possible, quantify, the underlying 
uncertainties posed by the decision - be these of a technical or 
valuation nature. Ideally, one would like to see a consistent 
approach developed, regardless of whether the decision situation has 
a strategic / public policy focus, or, on the other hand, represents 
a business operational situation. This view is supported by the 
truism that "a good decision comes from a good process". Beyond this, 
it is helpful to distinguish between decision situations which are 
the province of a sole or dominant player, and others which are truly 
multi-party in nature. This latter type includes examples of business 
networks and partnerships, which are of particular relevance here. 
Attention is given to the characterization of such networks, both in 
terms of their material or functional attributes, as well as those 
implicit characteristics which give networks their evolutionary 
behaviour.

This presentation will explore the development of a decision support 
framework (and associated tools) which engage with the inherent 
complexity of real-life decision situations. The focus area is the 
energy supply sector of the South African market, which has its own 
unique features, challenges and opportunities. Two case studies will 
be examined. The first looks at the coal-mine / power station 
complex, examining the potential value of low-grade coal discards in 
a regulated market; the second explores the biomass energy network, 
and the potential for independent power production in a deregulated 
market.

Biography
Jim Petrie is Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of 
Sydney, where he also serves as Director of CRESTA, the Centre for 
Risk, Environment, Systems Technology and Analysis. He is also an 
Adjunct Professor at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. At 
Sydney, he leads a research group whose interests are centered on 
Engineering for Sustainability. Specific focus areas include 
Environmental Systems Analysis, based on Life Cycle Thinking, 
Decision Support for complex decisions characterised by multiple 
objectives under risk and uncertainty, Process Modelling and 
Technology Development. Much of this work has been in support of 
primary industries and infrastructure, including minerals and metals, 
power generation, water and waste industries. He consults widely to 
the resources sector in both South Africa and Australia. He is a 
Chartered Engineer (UK), and a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical 
Engineers.

Bring your lunch; light refreshment will be provided.
-- 
_________________________________
Karen  L. Gibson
Program Assistant
MIT Laboratory For Energy and the Environment
77 Massachusetts Avenue, E40-469
(1 Amherst St., E40-469 - for DHL and FedEx)
Cambridge, MA 02139  USA
Tel:  1 (617) 258-6368; Fax:  1 (617) 258-6590
http://lfee.mit.edu
http://globalsustainability.org
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