Title: Shannon entropy for energy technologies ex-ante evaluation

Authors: Carla Balocco, Daniele Verdesca

Addresses: Department of Energy, University of Florence, Via Santa Marta 3, 50139 Florence IT, USA. ' Department of Economics, University of Siena, Piazza San Francesco 7, 53100 Siena IT, USA

Abstract: Most of the international literature has used Shannon entropy to measure the information gap. In this paper we propose a method that uses Shannon entropy to evaluate ex-ante energy technologies in a decision making process. It was called ITEM, i.e., Information Theory Energy technology ex-ante evaluation Method. The aim was to have a suitable tool for characterising the most critical project during energy planning. The ITEM method was used to evaluate ex-ante two renewable energy scenarios: biomass energy production vs. bio fuel gasoline production. Analysis results highlight bio fuel low entropy, promoting this technology scenario from every point of view.

Keywords: entropy; information theory; thermodynamics; sustainability; renewable energy; energy planning; sustainable development; environmental technology; biomass; biofuels; energy technology; technology evaluation; decision making; envrionmental management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2007.013245

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.1/2, pp.197 - 217

Published online: 13 Apr 2007 *

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