(260b) Analyzing Exergy Efficiency in Saint Louis City and Metro Area: A First Look

The rapid global urbanization mandates a meticulous examination of energy efficiency and availability in urban areas, forming the core focus of this proposal in Saint Louis City, Missouri and the Metro area. This study employs exergy analysis, deeply rooted in thermodynamics, as a key analytical tool. This approach allows us to evaluate both the quantity and quality of energy, providing a unique perspective beyond traditional assessments.

Building on the foundational works of Wall [1-2], Ertesvåg [3], and Hartmann & Garcia-Acevedo [4], this research aims to fill a critical gap by conducting the first exergy analysis specifically tailored to Saint Louis City. This deliberate choice of location enables us to unravel the distinct energy signatures of urban living, identifying areas with high energy availability and pinpointing inefficiencies in the energy landscape.

This interdisciplinary research is a work in progress, and we will be presenting the initial results of data gathering along with the first mapping of information. Sankey and exergy diagrams will illustrate the inputs and outputs of energy in the city, providing a visual representation of the energy flow and highlighting key contributors and consumers.

The approach presented here involves utilizing demographic data and quantifying energy and exergy inputs and outputs. Through the creation of diagrams and mapping of energy hotspots, we aim to actively engage in efficiency calculations, offering valuable insights into the energy dynamics of Saint Louis City.

The benefits of this research extend beyond academia. Understanding energy dynamics, particularly with an emphasis on exergy, contributes to informed political decisions and influences demographic distributions of energy and exergy. This work aims to contribute substantially to a nuanced comprehension of urban energy dynamics in Saint Louis City and the Metro area.

References:

1. Wall, G., 1981 revised 1986, Exergy Conversion in the Swedish Society, report no. 80-1, Physical Resource Theory Group, Göteborg. (Published in Resources and Energy, vol. 9, pp. 55-73, 1987.)
2. Wall, G., 1983 revised 1986, Exergy Flows in Industrial Processes, report no. 83-11, Physical Resource Theory Group, Göteborg. (Presented at "the Fourth International Symposium on Second Law Analysis of Thermal Systems," Rome, 25-29 May, 1987, I00236, pp. 131-140, ASME and published in Energy, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 197-208, 1988)
3. Ertesvåg, I. S., "Society exergy analysis: a comparison of different societies," Energy, vol. 26, pp. 253-270, 2001. [Online].
4. Hartmann, R. M., & Garcia-Acevedo, L. E., "Thermodynamic assessment of cities applying exergetic efficiency as an evaluation index," Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, vol. 50, 2022. [Online].