Distributed Systems | VEIL - Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab | Sustainability, Innovation, Research

Subscribe to new articles and posts

Distributed Systems

Distributed Systems - Contents

Why this research?
There is a rapidly growing interest in distributed systems as an alternative model for the provision of socially critical resources (energy, water and food). This is occurring in response to a deepening awareness of the vulnerability of existing production and consumption systems to the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, particularly oil. Simultaneously there is an increasing understanding of how localised and networked systems can act as a catalyst for social innovation and as sources of social connectedness, citizen engagement and community resilience.

What are 'distributed systems' ?
The distributed model sees infrastructure and critical service systems (for water, energy and food etc.) positioned close to resources and points of demand. Individual systems may operate as separate adaptive units but are also nested within ever-wider networks of exchange - at the local, regional or global level. Services traditionally provided by large, centralised systems are instead delivered via the collective capacity of many smaller diverse systems. Each is tailored to the needs and opportunities of unique locations but has the capacity to transfer resources across a much wider area.

Current Research ( 0 Articles )
Briefing Notes and Publications ( 4 Articles )

Localised Solutions Conference ( 1 Articles )
Reference Material ( 3 Articles )

Current Research

Current Distributed System Research

Briefing Notes and Publications

VEIL publications relating to distributed systems: visit the Briefing Notes page to download.

Localised Solutions

VEIL's fourth paper in its distributed systems series focuses on research and case studies in Victoria presented at the Localised Solutions forum held in November last year.

The event explored the value and implications of local initiatives that follow the distributed systems model. It brought together perspectives from the private sector, utilities, non-profit organisations and research bodies - reflecting the diversity of examples in Victoria.

Authors: Che Biggs, Chris Ryan, John Wiseman
Participating Institutions: Victorian Eco-Innovation LIn the national debate about how to address climate change, the role of individuals and small organisations is rarely considered. ab and The McCaughey Centre, University of Melbourne

Distributed Systems: A design model for sustainable and resilient infrastructure

How do we prepare now for a future of unprecedented resource scarcity and environmental change? Unless we take radical steps to increase the resilience and sustainability of critical infrastructure, access to vital systems and services is at risk. VEIL's third paper on distributed systems highlights the forces increasing the vulnerability of current infrastructure and services and presents the case for distributed systems as an alternative design model.

Authors: Che Biggs, Chris Ryan, John Wiseman
Participating Institutions: Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab and The McCaughey Centre, University of Melbourne

Distributed Water Systems: A networked and localised approach for sustainable water services

This is VEIL's second briefing paper on distributed systems. It draws on case studies and research to describe the emergence of ‘distributed water systems’ - a highly networked and localised approach to water infrastructure and critical water services.

Authors: Che Biggs, Chris Ryan, John Wiseman, Kirsten Larsen
Participating Institutions: Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab and The McCaughey Centre, University of Melbourne

An Overview of Development in Distributed Energy

This is VEIL's first briefing paper on distributed systems. Drawing on examples from states and cities in the EU and US, this paper demonstrates policy approaches for the development of distributed energy systems.

Authors: Dr. Kes McCormick, Rebekka Falk and Samira Viswanathan
Participating Institutions: Australian Centre for Science, Innovation and Society, University of Melbourne with The EU Environmental Education and Research Alliance (ENVERA)

Localised Solutions Conference

Localised Solutions

With large, centralised infrastructure appearing vulnerable to climate change and ‘peak oil’, alternative models are emerging everywhere.

Energy, water and food are being delivered via networked, localised production and consumption systems that lower carbon, increase efficiency, build resilience and strengthen local economies. This ‘distributed’ systems model is over-turning old ideas of services and is re-shaping our image of the future. Communities are active adopters of solar panels, wind generators, rainwater tanks and neighbourhood gardens. Consumers are redefining themselves as part-producers of critical resources. This is an evolution just beginning.

To understand the nature of these ‘localised solutions’, the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL) and the McCaughey Centre organised a forum in Melbourne at the end of 2009. That event explored the value and implications of local initiatives that follow the distributed systems model. The forum brought together perspectives from the private sector, utilities, non-profit organisations and research bodies - reflecting the diversity of examples in Victoria.

VEIL has now produced a briefing paper which presents the forums' key findings structured around three themes:

· The shape of localised solutions and their parallels with distributed systems

· Implications for adapting to climate change and resource scarcity

· The factors enabling and limiting further development of localised solutions

The paper can be downloaded here: Localised Solutions: Building capacity and resilience with distributed production systems

You can also download the presentations in PDF format or watch the forum speed-talks via YouTube.

Presentations

PETER COOMBES - Integrated water cycle management: Inclusion of decentralised strategies to balance uncertainty

TREVOR BUDGE - Creating localised food systems: The role of the metropolitan planning strategy

CHRIS ENNIS - CERES: Food for the people

BLAIR HEALY - Distributed Energy: An energy company perspective

JIM NORRIS - Distributed Leadership