A method is proposed to account for energy efficiency and environmental impact of resource-conversion systems. Emphasis is placed on the use of available energy concepts to combine measures of technological efficiency, resource depletion and environmental impact. Net energy methods are extended...

The available energy of thermal radiation and solar radiation is examined in this paper. The extension of the available energy concept to the evaluation of the potential energy conversion in solar converters is outlined. The fundamental question discussed is: How much of a given solar radiation...