Expanding the horizons of thermoeconomics: Insights from the School of Zaragoza

Valero Capilla, Antonio (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Valero Delgado, Alicia (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Torres Cuadra, César (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The article discusses the future developments of Thermoeconomics, focusing on the current works of the School of Zaragoza, which integrates the Second Law of Thermodynamics with Economics to assess the physical origin of costs, focusing on process irreversibility. Traditionally used in energy systems, the authors argue that Thermoeconomics should expand to chemical, geological, and economic sectors. Key concepts from the Zaragoza School include Thanatia, a hypothetical state representing Earth’s mineral depletion, used to measure resource depletion costs; Thermodynamic Rarity, highlighting the loss of Earth’s mineral capital; Pristinia, for evaluating deviations from an ideal fertile crust; and Circular Thermoeconomics, based on the idea of waste as external irreversibility, promoting a circular economy to minimize waste. They also introduce Relative Free Energy, a new thermodynamic function that improves thermal system diagnostics. The authors suggest that Thermoeconomics could align economic activities with environmental realities by using physical metrics like exergy to evaluate resource consumption, leading to a sustainable economic model incorporating environmental costs. The paper advocates for broader application and further research in Thermoeconomics to manage the true cost of human activities.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.134034

Año: 2024

Publicado en: Energy 313 (2024), 134034 [14 pp.]
ISSN: 0360-5442

Factor impacto JCR: 9.4 (2024)

Categ. JCR: THERMODYNAMICS rank: 3 / 79 = 0.038 (2024) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: ENERGY & FUELS rank: 31 / 182 = 0.17 (2024) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 2.211 - Building and Construction (Q1) - Civil and Structural Engineering (Q1) - Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Q1) - Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law (Q1) - Energy Engineering and Power Technology (Q1) - Fuel Technology (Q1) - Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (Q1) - Energy (miscellaneous) (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2020-116851RB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2023-148401OB-I00

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Máquinas y Motores Térmi. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)