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Exergy and Useful Work V.Final School of GeoS ciences Dissertation For the degree of MSc in Ecological Economics Lina Isabel Brand Correa* August 2014 * Beneficiaria COLFUTURO 2013. EXERGY AND USEFUL WORK ANALYSIS AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVED ENERGY POLICY MAKING: THE CASE OF THE COLOMBIAN ENERGY SECTOR Lina Isabel Brand Correa A dissertation presented for the degree of Master of Science University of Edinburgh, 2014. I assert my right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with section 78 Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. PGS/ABST/94 Use this side only THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Regulation 3.5.13) ABSTRACT OF THESIS Name of Candidate Lina Isabel Brand Correa Address 39/5 Marchmont Crescent, EH9 1HF, Edinburgh th Degree MSc. in Ecological Economics Date 15 of August, 2014 Title of Thesis Exergy and Useful Work Analysis as a Tool for Improved Energy Policy Making: The Case of the Colombian Energy Sector No. of words in the main text of Thesis 20653 Energy systems entail a dualism: they are absolutely vital for the normal functioning of societies, but the activities related to them are threatening the stability of the natural environment where societies develop (by being the main source of greenhouse gas emissions). Therefore, energy systems need to be maintained and further expanded, whilst simultaneously reducing their negative environmental impacts. In this sense, a deeper understanding of the thermodynamic concepts behind energy use and conversion processes is needed. Exergy and useful work provide such an understanding and hence their analysis can be used as a tool for improved energy policy making, particularly when dealing with efficiency improvements. In consideration of the above, this dissertation first looks into the energy dualism, followed by the description of the conceptual framework which orientates the work. Subsequently this is applied to the analysis of Colombia as an illustrative case study, taking into account data availability and specific features of that country’s energy system, which in themselves provide special analytical interest. Finally, this dissertation discusses methodological issues and results, as well as the energy policy implications derived from the analysis, both in general/conceptual terms and in the specific case of Colombia. As a result, it was found that exergy and useful work analysis is a tool that can complement traditional energy analysis when assessing national energy systems. Exergy and useful work provide significant conceptual improvements, as well as strengthening the comprehension of the whole flow of energy through society. Furthermore, exergy and useful work analysis leads to different energy policy recommendations when compared to the traditional energy based analysis, particularly regarding energy sources for electricity generation, efficiency dilution effects and leapfrogging opportunities. PGS/ABST/94 Use this side only ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to extend warm thanks to Paul Brockway for his generous sharing of time, knowledge and experience, and for introducing me into the academic circle of exergy. This dissertation would not have achieved what it has without his kindness and support. I would also like to thank sincerely my supervisor, Claudio Cattaneo, especially for his critical and opportune advice when in danger of getting carried away by my enthusiasm for the topic. Additionally, a big thank you to Oscar Gonzalo Manrique for sharing the data for Colombia, but ever more so for awakening my interest in this topic some years ago. And to Héctor Iván Velásquez and Sergio A. Giraldo for being so patient with me while I struggled to grasp, at least partially, the thermodynamics behind it all. On the personal side, I would like to thank especially my library buddies R and T for providing such nice study breaks, while creating our own gastronomic/cultural routine! Also to my family and friends back in Colombia, whose support even across the distance felt so close, and the thought of seeing them again gave me strength and inspiration. Finally, heartfelt acknowledgements both to my dad, who is a constant source of objective and loving advice, and my mom, who virtually walked home with me every late night, patiently listening to all the ups and downs of this rollercoaster experience. i TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ iii Table of Tables ................................................................................................................................. v Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................. vii List of Abbreviations, Symbols and Units .................................................................................. ix Chapter 1. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2. Dualism of Energy for Modern Societies ............................................................. 5 2.1. Energy as key for economic growth ............................................................................. 5 2.2. Energy as one of main causes of climate change and resource exhaustion ............ 9 2.3. Energy transition and the role of efficiency ............................................................... 12 Chapter 3. Exergy and Useful Work ...................................................................................... 15 3.1. Definition of relevant concepts .................................................................................... 15 3.2. Literature review of exergy applications ................................................................... 27 3.3. Rationale and research question ................................................................................. 33 Chapter 4. The Colombian Case ............................................................................................. 37 4.1. Colombia and its energy sector ................................................................................... 37 4.1.1. General context ...................................................................................................... 37 4.1.2. Energy reserves and potential ............................................................................. 39 4.1.3. Current energy use ................................................................................................ 41 4.1.4. Evolution of energy use ........................................................................................ 44 4.2. Methodology .................................................................................................................. 44 4.3. Past exergy and useful work ........................................................................................ 47 4.4. Data analysis .................................................................................................................. 52 4.5. Future energy projections (PENs) ............................................................................... 61 Chapter 5. Discussion ............................................................................................................... 65 5.1. Methodology .................................................................................................................. 65 5.2. Results ............................................................................................................................. 69 5.3. Policy implications ........................................................................................................ 72 5.3.1. General / conceptual ............................................................................................. 72 5.3.2. Colombia ................................................................................................................. 75 Chapter 6. Conclusions ............................................................................................................ 81 References ....................................................................................................................................... 85 Appendix A .................................................................................................................................. 101 iii TABLE OF TABLES Table 1. Energy forms and types classification ......................................................................... 16 Table 2. Units of energy, exergy, work, heat and power in the different systems of units 17 Table 3. Sectors and Consumption Categories .......................................................................... 50 Table 4. Details of TFC-UW and TPES-UW exergy efficiencies (1975-2009) ......................... 53 Table 5. Exergy coefficients for Colombia's energy sources .................................................. 101 v TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1. Energy production and GDP for the world from 1830 to 2000 ................................ 6 Figure 2. Global GHG emissions and fossil fuels ..................................................................... 10 Figure 3. UK's production and consumption emissions .......................................................... 11 Figure 4. Resource classification ................................................................................................
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