ABSTRACT
Energy conservation is a misnomer because the first law of thermodynamics dictates that energy is conserved. What is usually meant by this colloquial term is that lesser primary energy is used for the performance of a desired action or a process that consumes energy. When one examines the origin of the energy supplied to the process that fulfills the desired action, a lesser quantity of total primary energy source (TPES) is used, and a part of the available TPES is “conserved” for future use. The colloquial term energy conservation may be expressed more accurately in thermodynamics as exergy conservation, minimum exergy destruction, or minimum entropy production. The applications of the exergy concept and exergetic calculations ultimately lead to the minimum consumption of primary energy resources, and, by extent, to the conservation of natural resources. The upgraded efficiency of machinery and processes also leads to lesser energy consumption and the ultimate conservation of part of TPES for future use. While most of the other chapters in this book pertain to the supply side of energy, conservation and improved efficiency are directly related to the demand side.
