A Dynamic Function for Energy Return on Investment

Sustainability

Michael Dale¹  Susan Krumdieck¹ 

[1] Advanced Energy and Material Systems (AEMS) Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand; E-Mail:

关键词: EROI;    net energy;    energy-return-on-investment;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su3101972

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Most estimates of energy-return-on-investment (EROI) are “static”. They determine the amount of energy produced by a particular energy technology at a particular location at a particular time. Some “dynamic” estimates are also made that track the changes in EROI of a particular resource over time. Such approaches are “bottom-up”. This paper presents a conceptual framework for a “top-down” dynamic function for the EROI of an energy resource. This function is constructed from fundamental theoretical considerations of energy technology development and resource depletion. Some empirical evidence is given as corroboration of the shape of the function components.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.