Patent ID: 8321183

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of designing at least one system to achieve a target environmental goal, said method comprising: creating an inventory of a plurality of variables that affect the design of the at least one system, wherein the inventory includes a feasibility range for each of the plurality of variables contained in the inventory, and wherein the plurality of variables pertain to at least one stage in a lifecycle of the at least one system; determining which of the plurality of variables are independent; determining a respective level of effect of each independent variable on at least one metric of the at least one system based on a simulation that includes selecting each independent variable and sweeping each independent variable over a defined space; assigning initial values for the plurality of variables in the inventory; creating a model of input to output correlations of the plurality of variables by commissioning the plurality of variables from the initial values; and optimizing, by a processor, a design of the at least one system to achieve the target environmental goal by manipulating one or more of the plurality of variables through application of the model, wherein manipulating includes manipulating the independent variables in a particular order based on the respective levels of effects.