AI strategies for a Circular Economy Decision Support System
By Christina Vlasi, CORE Innovation Centre (CORE IC)
In the evolving landscape of digital innovation and sustainable manufacturing, the DaCapo project stands as a pioneering initiative focused on advancing Circular Economy (CE) strategies across every stage of the manufacturing lifecycle. To support and enhance this effort, CORE IC aims to develop a cutting-edge CE-DSS.
What is CE-DSS? The Decision Support System (DSS) is a tool that assists and enhances decision-making activities through suggestions and recommendations. The foundation of these suggestions stems from Circular Economy (CE) indicators, which is why we refer to it as CE-DSS.
Architecture of Decision Support Systems
The architecture of the DSS in the DaCapo project is crafted around three primary building blocks, each integral to its functionality:
1. User Interface (UI)
The User Interface serves as the gateway through which users interact with the DSS. It is designed to facilitate intuitive and efficient interactions, ensuring that queries and inputs are handled seamlessly.
2. Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base is the repository of essential information that underpins the DSS. This repository is crucial for informed decision-making, providing the necessary context and background that the DSS needs to generate accurate and relevant suggestions. The knowledge base is continuously updated to reflect new insights, ensuring that the system remains current and reliable.
3. Logic Engine (Logic)
At the heart of the DSS lies the Logic Engine, which integrates algorithms and equations. This block is responsible for applying complex computational models to derive solutions. The Logic harnesses information from the Knowledge Base, applies various algorithms, and executes equations to evaluate different scenarios. It acts as the decision-making engine, orchestrating the flow of information and producing outputs that align with the user’s needs.
Operational Workflow
The operational workflow of the DSS begins when a user submits a query through the User Interface, triggering the Logic to take the lead. The Logic engine harnesses essential insights from the Knowledge Base while retrieving corresponding outputs from models and various components stored and served through middleware. Next, algorithms and equations guide the process, leveraging Circular Economy KPIs to produce tailored suggestions and recommendations for recycling, reuse, remanufacturing, and other sustainable strategies.
Enhancing Circular Economy Strategies
The DSS is a critical component of DaCapo's approach to integrating Circular Economy principles into manufacturing. By leveraging its architecture, the system supports the selection of optimal circular stock management strategies and aids in making informed lifecycle management decisions. It ensures that sustainability and efficiency are at the core of manufacturing practices, fostering a more resilient and eco-friendly industry.
