Net Energetics Analysis
Econimic analysis, next to technical analysis, has traditionally constituted the major decision-making tool of the capitalist economic system. As lon as capitalism survives, this will remain to be the case. However, during the current period of increasing scarcity and cost of energy -- a period accompanied by higher than normal inflation rates -- a proposed project may appear attractive and economic when, in fact, its demands on energy resources are extraordinarily high. Such a conclusion could well be the case when the major energy expenditure in construction or operation is directed toward a fuel, the price of which is held unusually low by legal regulation. Net energetics analysis, as applied to energy generation facilities, is a method for determining the total amount of energy, IE, required to construct, operate, and maintain the energy generation facility compared to the total energy, TE, generated (or converted) throughout the facility's lifetime. Fuel consumed by the facility as direct input to the conversion or utiliztion process is not considered a debit while energy generated is not considered a credit in the calculation of the construction, operation, and maintenance energy account, IE. Energy required to run equipment auxiliary to the conversion process is, on the other hand, considered a debit to IE. The latter considerations apply to the production, processing, and transport of fuel but not to the energy content of the fuel itself.
- Research Organization:
- Texas Univ., Austin (USA). Center For Energy Studies
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(40-1)4900
- OSTI ID:
- 886130
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-760222-P4-4
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. geopressured geothermal energy conference, Austin, TX, USA, 23 Feb 1976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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