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The Thermoeconomic Environment Cost Indicator (i ex-TEE ) as a One-Dimensional Measure of Resource Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Sobhy Khedr

    (Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy)

  • Melchiorre Casisi

    (Polytechnic Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Mauro Reini

    (Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy)

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual development of sustainability evaluation, through an exergy-based indicator, by using the new concept of the Thermoeconomic Environment (TEE). The exergy-based accounting methods here considered as a background are Extended Exergy Accounting (EEA), which can be used to quantify the exergy cost of externalities like labor, monetary inputs, and pollutants, and Cumulative Exergy Consumption (CExC), which can be used to quantify the consumption of primary resources embodied in a final product or service. The new concept of bioresource stock replacement cost is presented, highlighting how the framework of the TEE offers an option for evaluating the exergy cost of products of biological systems. This sustainability indicator is defined based on the exergy cost of all resources directly and indirectly consumed by the system, the equivalent exergy cost of all externalities implied in the production process and the exergy cost of the final product.

Suggested Citation

  • Sobhy Khedr & Melchiorre Casisi & Mauro Reini, 2022. "The Thermoeconomic Environment Cost Indicator (i ex-TEE ) as a One-Dimensional Measure of Resource Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:6:p:2260-:d:775132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Casisi, Melchiorre & Khedr, Sobhy & Reini, Mauro, 2023. "The Thermoeconomic Environment and the exergy-based cost accounting of technological and biological systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PA).

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