Papers Published
- A. Bejan, Why we want power: Economics is physics,
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 55
(2012),
pp. 4929-4935 [046], [doi] .
(last updated on 2013/03/25)Abstract:
In view of the interest in ‘‘sustainability’’ and resuscitating the global economy. I propose a physics [1,2] perspective on how power is generated and flows on the earth’s surface. Power flows with predictable ‘‘design’’, which means configuration, pattern, rhythm and geometry. The design of the flow of power grows in an evolutionary manner, in time, as thicker and more efficient streams that serve, empower and liberate humanity over greater territories. A physics basis for why we need power is necessary, because today’s focus on efficiency and conservation gives the false impression that the future belongs to burning less fuel, uniformity and belt tightening, particularly in the advanced countries where most of the power is being generated and consumed. It is a timely topic for science because until recently our energy doctrine said absolutely nothing about how the design of power generation should evolve on earth and in time.