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Exact computation of emergy based on a mathematical reinterpretation of the rules of emergy algebra

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  • Le Corre, O.
  • Truffet, L.

Abstract

The emergy algebra is based on four rules, the use of which is sometimes confusing or reserved only to the experts of the domain. The emergy computation does not obey conservation logic (i.e. emergy computation does not obey Kirchoff-like circuit law). In this paper the authors propose to reformulate the emergy rules into three axioms which provide (i) a rigourous mathematical framework for emergy computation and (ii) an exact recursive algorithm to compute emergy within a system of interconnected processes at steady state modeled by an oriented graph named the emergy graph.

Suggested Citation

  • Le Corre, O. & Truffet, L., 2012. "Exact computation of emergy based on a mathematical reinterpretation of the rules of emergy algebra," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 101-113.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:230:y:2012:i:c:p:101-113
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2011.12.018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sciubba, Enrico & Ulgiati, Sergio, 2005. "Emergy and exergy analyses: Complementary methods or irreducible ideological options?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(10), pages 1953-1988.
    2. Bastianoni, Simone & Morandi, Fabiana & Flaminio, Tommaso & Pulselli, Riccardo M. & Tiezzi, Elisa B.P., 2011. "Emergy and emergy algebra explained by means of ingenuous set theory," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(16), pages 2903-2907.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Le Corre, O. & Truffet, L., 2015. "Emergy paths computation from interconnected energy system diagram," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 313(C), pages 181-200.
    2. Le Corre, O. & Truffet, L. & Lahlou, C., 2015. "Odum–Tennenbaum–Brown calculus vs emergy and co-emergy analysis," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 302(C), pages 9-12.
    3. Zhang, XiaoHong & Hu, He & Zhang, Rong & Deng, ShiHuai, 2014. "Interactions between China׳s economy, energy and the air emissions and their policy implications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 624-638.
    4. Tennenbaum, Stephen E., 2015. "Emergy and co-emergy," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 315(C), pages 116-134.
    5. Campbell, Daniel E., 2016. "Emergy baseline for the Earth: A historical review of the science and a new calculation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 339(C), pages 96-125.
    6. Zhang, Xiaohong & Wu, Liqian & Zhang, Rong & Deng, Shihuai & Zhang, Yanzong & Wu, Jun & Li, Yuanwei & Lin, Lili & Li, Li & Wang, Yinjun & Wang, Lilin, 2013. "Evaluating the relationships among economic growth, energy consumption, air emissions and air environmental protection investment in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 259-270.
    7. Marvuglia, Antonino & Benetto, Enrico & Rios, Gordon & Rugani, Benedetto, 2013. "SCALE: Software for CALculating Emergy based on life cycle inventories," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 80-91.

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