Thermodynamics based sustainability concept

The main objective is to minimize the influence of subjective arguments in the determination of an indicator for sustainability. Current methods are often based on the results of an environmental oriented Life Cycle Assessment. These results show the impact on the environment in many different effects, which are often aggregated into an indicator. The method of aggregation is often subject of discussion. By using the laws of thermodynamics it is possible to calculate the amount of the apparent non-renewable exergy necessary for the life cycle of a certain product or process. The new concept is mainly based on dividing the exergetic cost of a flow into a renewable exergetic cost flow and a non-renewable exergetic cost flow. The result of this method is the so-called rate of sustainability and is an indicator of the potential environmental impact of a particular process. An example is given whereby it is made clear that the production of electricity by a (Municipal) Waste Incinerating Plant (WIP) is less sustainable than by a Natural Gas fired power Plant (NGP).