Eficiencia Energetica

Thermodynamic aspects of renewables

and sustainable development

IbrahimDincer
, Marc A. Rosen

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology,

2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ont., Canada L1H 7L7

Received 22 December 2003; received in revised form 26 January 2004; accepted 20 February 2004

Abstract

Achieving sustainable solutions to today’s energy and environmental problems requires

long-termplanning and actions. Energy issues are particularly prevalent at present and

renewable energy resources appear to provide one component of an effective sustainable solution.

An understanding of the thermodynamic aspects of sustainable development can help

in taking sustainable actions regarding energy. Discussed in this article are possible future

energy-utilization patterns and related environmental impacts, potential solutions to current

environmental problems, renewable energy technologies and their relations to sustainable

development, and how the principles of thermodynamics via exergy can be beneficially used

to evaluate energy systems and technologies as well as environmental impact. Throughout

the article, current and future perspectives regarding thermodynamics and sustainable development

are considered. The results will likely be useful to scientists and engineers as well as

decision and policy makers.

# 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

2. Exergy and exergy analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

2.1. Energy and exergy balances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

2.2. Basic quantities for exergy analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

2.3. Energy and exergy efficiencies for principal types of processes . . . . . . . . 175

Corresponding author. Tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone].

E-mail address: [e-mail] (I. Dincer).

1364-0321/$ - see front matter # 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2004.02.002

1. Introduction

Energy is the driver of technology, life and society. Energy resources help in creating

wealth and improving living standards for individuals and societies. Furthermore,

development that is sustainable requires, among other factors, access to

energy resources. Energy, consequently, is a key consideration in discussions of

sustainable development.

Energy use is very much governed by thermodynamic principles and, therefore,

an understanding of thermodynamic aspects of energy can help us understand

pathways to sustainable development [1].

Sustainable development has been defined in many ways, including ‘‘development

that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of

future generations to meet their own needs’’ [2]. Many factors affect achieving sustainable

development.

A secure supply of energy resources is generally necessary but not sufficient for

societal development. Sustainable societal development, however, requires a sustainable

supply of energy resources, i.e. a secure supply that is readily and sustainably

available in the long termat reasonable cost and that can be utilized for all

required tasks without causing negative societal impacts [3–6]. Effective and efficient

utilization of energy resources can also contribute to sustainable development.

Renewable energy resources are often sustainable. Most energy supplies on earth

derive fromthe sun, which continually warms us and supports plant growth via

photosynthesis. Solar energy heats the land and sea differentially and so causes

winds and consequently waves. Solar energy also drives evaporation, which leads

to rain and in turn hydropower. Tides are the result of the gravitational pull of the

moon and sun and geothermal heat is the result of radioactive decay within the earth.

3. Energy, the environment and sustainable development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

3.1. Environmental concerns and sustainable development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

3.2. Attributes, benefits and drawbacks of renewables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

3.3. Renewables and sustainable development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

4. Tools for environmental impact and sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

4.1. Ecologically and economically conscious process engineering . . . . . . . . . 182

5. Sustainable development and thermodynamic principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

5.1. Exergy and the environment