U.S. Department of Energy's

Introduction to

System Dynamics

(V 1.0)

W elcome to the Office of Policy and International Affairs's Introduction to System Dynamics (V1.0). This online book was written to introduce system dynamics, a powerful methodology for framing, understanding, and discussing complex policy issues and problems.

Energy policy is well suited for a "systems approach" because those who study, design, and implement national energy policy must not only understand the complexities of our nation's energy sector, but how energy issues influence and "connect" with national policy concerns such as economic growth, technology development, national security, international trade, and environmental conservation, just to name a few.