Exergy analysis is shown to be an important tool for achieving sustainable development. By noting that energy can never be “lost,” as it is conserved according to the first law of thermodynamics, while exergy can be lost due to internal irreversibilities, the study suggests that exergy losses, particularly due to the use of nonrenewable energy forms, should be minimized to attain sustainable development. Furthermore, several key thermodynamic concepts and the potential usefulness of exergy analysis are discussed, the linkages between exergy and environmental impact and sustainable development are introduced; and several key issues regarding sustainability and its consequences are addressed. Several case studies highlight the insights revealed using exergy and exergetic aspects of sustainability. It is concluded that the potential usefulness of exergy analysis in addressing sustainability issues and solving environmental problems is substantial.
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Dinçer et al. (2004) studied this question.
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