Enhancing Sustainable Energy Management through System Dynamics and Project Management : A Case Study of Butwal Power Company, Nepal

Abstract

The study examines how sustainable energy management can be improved through the integration of System Dynamics and project management approaches, using Butwal Power Company as a case study. Sustainable energy management is becoming increasingly important in hydropower organizations due to environmental challenges, financial pressures, and stakeholder expectations. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of sustainable project management and System Dynamics in improving energy management; however, limited research has examined their integration in Nepal’s hydropower sector. The study addresses the research question: How can the integration of System Dynamics and sustainable Project Management practices enhance sustainable energy management at Butwal Power Company (BPC)? A qualitative single-case study design was utilized, and data was collected through semistructured interviews with organizational employees. This approach helped identify sustainability challenges, organizational practices, and the role of System Dynamics in improving project planning and decision-making. The research adds to theory by integrating System Dynamics with sustainability-focused project management in the context of hydropower management in a developing nation, an area that is not fully studied in the existing research. The findings suggest that sustainability actions within the organization are affected by interrelated environmental, financial, and stakeholder factors. Applying a theoretical framework based on feedback system analysis, the study identifies major feedback connections and delayed effects influencing sustainability outcomes. The study emphasizes the operational value of integrating System Dynamics tools into management decision processes, risk management, and long-term sustainability planning. The study provides useful insights for hydropower management, sustainability planning, and project planning in Nepal's energy industry. This study contributes both theoretically and practically by demonstrating how the integration of System Dynamics and project management can support sustainable energy management in hydropower organizations, particularly in developing country contexts such as Nepal.