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The concept of maximum power has been proposed as the fourth principle of energetics and open system thermodynamics. As noted by Chen, this was tentatively proposed first by Alfred J. Lotka (1922a, b) , and subsequently developed the Systems Ecologist Howard T. Odum and the Engineer Myron Tribus, who was given the Alfred Noble Prize as a joint award from seven societies. It follows similar observations (made by Leibniz and Volterra for example), throughout the history of natural philosophy . H.T.Odum based the principle on the maximum power theorem, a result in electrical power systems. The word 'power' is defined here energetically, rather than mechanically, as the rate of useful energy transformation. The concept of maximum power can therefore be defined as the maximum rate of useful energy transformation
...it may be time to recognize the maximum power principle as the fourth thermodynamic law as suggested by Lotka (H.T.Odum 1994).
Definition in words
The maximum power power principle can be stated: During self organization, system designs develop and prevail that maximize power intake, energy transformation, and those uses that reinforce production and efficiency. (H.T.Odum 1995, p.311)
Odum et al. viewed the maximum power theorem as a principle with broader application than simply electronics alone. Like the maximum power theorem, the maximum power principle says that the rate of the transformation will be at a maximum at an intermediate power efficiency.
Contemporary Ideas
Whether or not the principle of maximum power efficiency can be considered the 4th law of thermodynamics, and the fourth principle of energetics is moot. Nevertheless, H.T.Odum also proposed a corollary of maximum power as the organisational principle of evolution. He called this corollary the maximum empower principle. This was suggested because, as S.E.Jorgensen, M.T.Brown, H.T.Odum (2004) note,
"Maximum power might be misunderstood to mean giving priority to low level processes. ... However, the higher level transformation processes are just as important as the low level processes. ... Therefore, Lotka's principle is clarified by stating it as the principle of self organization for maximum empower" (p.18)
See also
References
- T.T. Cai, C.L. Montague and J.S. Davis (2006) 'The maximum power principle: An empirical investigation', Ecological Modelling, Volume 190, Issues 3-4, Pages 317-335
- G.Q. Chen (in press) 'Scarcity of exergy and ecological evaluation based on embodied exergy', Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, p. 16.
- R.Costanza, J.H.Cumberland, H.E.Daly, R.Goodland and R.B.Norgaard (1997) An Introduction to Ecological Economics, CRC Press - St. Lucie Press, First Edition.
- F.L.Curzon and B.Ahlborn (1975) 'Efficiency of a Carnot engine at maximum power output', Am J Phys, 43, pp. 22-24.
- C.A.S.Hall (1995) Maximum Power: The ideas and applications of H.T.Odum, Colorado University Press.
- C.A.S.Hall (2004) 'The continuing importance of maximum power', Ecological Modelling, Volume 178, Issue 1-2, 15, Pages 107-113
- H.W. Jackson (1959) Introduction to Electronic Circuits, Prentice-Hall.
- S.E.Jorgensen, M.T.Brown, H.T.Odum (2004) 'Energy hierarchy and transformity in the universe', Ecological Modelling, 178, pp. 17-28
- A.J.Lotka (1922a) 'Contribution to the energetics of evolution'. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 8: pp. 147–51.
- A.J.Lotka (1922b) 'Natural selection as a physical principle'. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 8, pp 151–4.
- H.T.Odum (1994) Ecological and General Systems: An Introduction to Systems Ecology, Colorado University Press.
- H.T.Odum (1995) 'Self-Organization and Maximum Empower', in C.A.S.Hall (ed.) Maximum Power: The Ideas and Applications of H.T.Odum, Colorado University Press, Colorado.
- H.T.Odum amd R.C.Pinkerton (1955) 'Time's speed regulator: The optimum efficiency for maximum output in physical and biological systems ', Am. Sci., 43 pp. 331-343.
- M.Tribus (1961) § 16.11 'Generalized Treatment of Linear Systems Used for Power Production', Thermostatics and Thermodynamics, Van Nostrand, University Series in Basic Engineering, p. 619.