EROI
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Energy
| Stands for | Energy return on investment |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
EROI stands for Energy return on investment, an energy abbreviation.
Ratio of the energy a source delivers over its lifetime to the energy needed to find, extract, build and operate it. A higher EROI means more surplus energy for society; low-EROI sources consume much of their own output.
Example: Critics argue that some biofuels have an EROI barely above 1, delivering little net energy.
Usage notes
Ecologist Charles Hall developed the concept in the 1970s and 1980s. Published values vary widely because studies draw system boundaries differently, so comparisons between sources are contested. Also written EROEI, energy returned on energy invested.
Related abbreviations
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