Exergoecology as a tool for ecological modelling. The case of the US food production chain

Exergoecology and in particular, thermoeconomic analysis is used to understand the process of cost formation and to improve the design and the operation of extensive energy consumption systems such as power and chemical plants. This paper shows the capabilities for using the thermoeconomic analysis in environmental systems, and demonstrates that it could become a useful tool for identifying the ways for improving the energy resources cost and the efficiency of a macroeconomic system such as the US food production chain. The environmental impact associated with each process in the food production chain can be quantified through a thermoeconomic approach as a cost function, which represents the required natural resources to obtain a final product. In the example provided, several simulations such as the impact of the change of meat diet basis for a vegetarian diet, and reusing the residual biomass are analyzed.

► Thermoeconomic analysis can be used as a tool for ecological modelling. ► It is based on constructing fuel-product tables with an exergy input–output structure. ► It helps identifying improving potentials of resources in macroeconomic systems. ► A simplified analysis of the American food chain is used as an example.