Pilot study. Waste-heat equivalents as environmental indicators

Any process for waste disposal needs a certain energy input, and emits waste heat. The laws of thermodynamics teach us that thus, any waste disposal process contributes to the thermal pollution of the environment. On this theoretical basis, waste-heat equivalents can be defined, which in the power supply sector e.g. can be taken as an indicator of a minimum pollution potential of a given energy source and its conversion processes. They can serve as a rating basis for duties to be paid per energy source, similar to what is done with the oxygen equivalents that are used to levy duties on sewage discharges. (orig.)