Creating value with an ocean ecopark An assessment of the interdependent actor situation for a comprehensive ocean ecopark design in small island developing states Master of Science Thesis Rick Oudshoorn Creating value with an ocean ecopark An assessment of the interdependent actor situation for a comprehensive ocean ecopark design in small island developing states Master of Science Thesis For the degree of Master of Science in System Engineering, Policy Analysis and Management at Delft University of Technology Rick Oudshoorn November 12, 2014 Graduation committee Prof. dr. ir. W.A.H. Thissen - Section Policy Analysis Dr. S.W. Cunningham - Section Policy Analysis Dr. ir. I. Bouwmans - Section Energy & Industry P. Dinnissen - Bluerise Dr. ir. J.S. Timmermans - Section Policy Analysis Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management · Delft University of Technology Copyright c Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management All rights reserved. Executive Summary The purpose of this research is to provide insight in the system design process of an ocean ecopark, from the viewpoint of an independent policy analyst. More concretely efforts are made to provide capabilities gain insight in the value creation process between interdependent actors that influence the configuration of an ocean ecopark. An ocean ecopark is an initiative that deploys the potential of the ocean by utilizing cold ocean water through synergetic rela- tions between tenants. This initiative can provide small island developing states (SIDS) with an opportunity to produce their own food, energy and drinking water in an economical and sustainable manner. The construction of a cold water network, that enables the connection among different tenants on an ecopark, is a very expensive investment. The configuration of an ocean ecopark is still undefined and is adapted to the needs of a location to ensure the success and acceptance. In order to do so, this research assesses the actor context to provide insight in the aspects where an ocean ecopark can be valuable for an island. Corresponding with the socio-technical background, the complications within this design process are, for the purpose of this research, related to the actor situation. Namely, the many actors are involved on or around on ocean ecopark that can affect or are affected by this project. Each of the actors has their own objectives that they like to accomplish, and for which the ocean ecopark can be an excellent possibility. The ocean ecopark has only limited opportunity to accom- modate these, sometimes, conflicting interests of actors. Moreover, actors possess different resources and capabilities to influence the design process. This creates interdependencies in the actor environment and complicates the design process. Synthesizing, the problem dealt in this research concerns the limited understanding of the value creation process by interdependent actors that affect the design of an ocean ecopark. This research approaches this problem by providing a tool systematic analysis of the inter- dependent actor situation to enhance the system design process, related on the value aspect. Within the context of this problem exchange modelling is tested for its fit for purpose, as it accommodates the important aspects of this actor situation, resources and objectives. The analysis of this problem consists of a proposition of mutual beneficial transactions that actors can make when rationalizing their decision over the control they possess. By exchanging excess control (resources) for favourable control based on their interest (objectives) over issues (core values), an actor is better capable of fulfilling its objectives. This static assessment leads to a redistribution of the control, which actors can exert for the purpose of an ocean ecopark design. Master of Science Thesis Rick Oudshoorn ii Executive Summary The results shown by the exchange model tool encompass the weighted values for an ocean ecopark and preliminary system specifications. The weighted issues are derived by accumu- lating the different interest functions of actors. A designer can apply these weighted issues as criteria for the creation and evaluation of conceptual designs. The preliminary system specifications can be obtained through the actors who possess a large portion of the resources to influence a relevant issue. Since there resources are needed for the design process, their commitment and acceptance can be realized by integrating their wishes for a particular issue into the conceptual design. This value creation process arises through the commitment of actors for the design process. Exchange modelling shows what control actors are seeking in order to achieve their goals, and under what conditions they are willing to cooperate. Com- municating and integrating these aspects in the design process enhances the commitment of actors to the design and design process. This substantiates the need for an integrative effort of systems and actors to realize an ocean ecopark, as actors input is necessary for the system design and a system design can convince actors for engaging to the process. Transforming the exchange modelling results towards practical insight in the system design is subject to several assumptions that can hamper the interpretation of the model. The actor situation is assumed static to give advice for the system perspective. Moreover, it assumes that there is one common denominator to identify the exchanges of control. Lastly, the model assumes rationality among the actors. These three aspects have as limitation that the outcome of the exchange model might differ in real world situations. The conceptualized exchange model is capable of providing insight in the vale creation process among actors. To further enhance the design process this research indicates to further specify the values for the actors to design a comprehensive ocean ecopark. One can accomplish this by integrating the perception of actors over the issues to indicate specific system specifications for a detailed design. This increases the value that an ocean ecopark creates for and by the involved actors. Rick Oudshoorn Master of Science Thesis Preface In fulfilment of my master degree this thesis is the final step, and presented here before you. It has taken its shape during the past six months. By far it was the most challenging but also most interesting report and research I have conducted at the Delft University of Technology. The idea, around which this thesis has evolved, had captured me from the beginning; using cold deep ocean water to stimulate sustainable development in an ocean ecopark. I have made an exploration of the actor system surrounding the ocean ecopark, and l hope that this thesis report contributes to the further development of the ocean ecopark. First of all, I want to thank Bluerise for giving me the opportunity to research this interesting project. Special thanks to Paul Dinnissen for his eagerness to learn more about the actor situation of an ocean ecopark and aid me wherever he could. Interesting discussions arose regularly with my first supervisor, Dr. Scott Cunningham. I am grateful for his help with the struggles I encountered with capturing the complications of the problem, the research process, and transforming my thoughts into words on paper. I also want to thank Dr. ir. Jos Timmermans for his feedback on the modelling sequence. To complete my graduation com- mittee, I want to thank Dr. ir. Ivo Bouwmans for his critical views from another perspective, which shed a different light on the situation, and my chair Prof. dr. ir. Wil Thissen for his remarks and steering to pinpoint the aspects I need to focus on to improve the quality of my master thesis. Not only my graduation committee supported me during my research process, I also would like to extend my gratitude to my friends and family for their support. Foremost my girlfriend Lisa who motivated me to work hard for this thesis, but also made sure I took enough time off to relax and put my mind to other things. Secondly, my fellow graduation students who helped me through, with their colourful discussions and feedback about one another’s theses. Without them, and all the other friends and family that helped out and have shown interest, this process would not have been the same. Delft, University of Technology Rick Oudshoorn November 12, 2014 Master of Science Thesis Rick Oudshoorn iv Preface Rick Oudshoorn Master of Science Thesis Table of Contents Executive Summaryi Preface iii 1 Introduction1 1-1 Energy potential in the ocean............................ 1 1-2 Designing in socio-technical systems........................ 3 1-3 The difficulty of designing an ocean ecopark.................... 5 1-4 Problem statement................................. 6 1-5 Structure of this report............................... 6 2 Research approach7 2-1 Objective, and social and scientific relevance.................... 7 2-2 Research questions................................. 8 2-3 Methodology..................................... 8 2-4 Research framework................................. 10 3 Actor analysis 11 3-1 Game structured actor analysis........................... 11 3-2 Actors: related to an ocean ecopark........................ 12 3-3 Relations: formal chart of the actors........................ 12 3-4 Rules of the game: an institutional analysis.................... 12 3-5 Perception of actors................................. 15 3-6 Objectives in this multi-actor system........................ 17 3-7 Resources.....................................