Non-renewable and renewable levelized exergy cost of electricity (LExCOE) with focus on its infrastructure: 1900–2050

This study develops the concept of the levelized exergy cost of electricity (LExCOE), evaluating key global electricity technologies from 1900 to 2050. It distinguishes the origin of the exergy (non-renewable and renewable) with focus on the infrastructure. Using this indicator, we studied the non-renewable resource use of these technologies in exergy cost terms. LExCOE decreased from 3.71 to 3.09 MJ/MJ between 1900 and 1960, then further to 2.33 MJ/MJ by 2010 due to the improvements in non-renewable plants performance. Between 2020 and 2050, the International Energy Agency's Net-Zero scenario is followed. Thus, the non-renewable exergy cost of fuels would decrease by 98.8 %, leading to a reduction in LExCOE to 1.05 MJ/MJ in 2050. However, the annual non-renewable exergy cost of infrastructure would increase by 133–237 %, due to the higher contribution of photovoltaic and wind infrastructure (1.8–0.067 MJ/MJ), compared to fossil technologies (0.032–0.024 MJ/MJ). Thus, the energy transition reduces the overall fossil exergy costs but increases their contribution in the infrastructure since manufacturing industry relies on fossil fuels. Furthermore, this transition will increase the demand for certain metals, which would require a review of its use in society, increase the recycling rates and continuously improve of the material efficiency of renewable energies. • The levelized exergy cost of electricity (LExCOE) is calculated between 1900 and 2050. • LExCOE decrease from 3.71 to 1.05 due to due to strong penetration of renewables. • Non-renewable costs shift from fuels to infrastructure due to energy transition. • Non-renewable exergy cost of renewable energies is evaluated. • LExCOE allows the exergy assessment of any electricity consumption in the future.