Energy production in varying {α} theories

Aims. On the basis the theoretical model proposed by Bekenstein for {\alpha}'s variation, we analyze the equations that describe the energy exchange between matter and both the electromagnetic and the scalar fields. Methods. We determine how the energy flow of the material is modified by the presence of a scalar field. We estimate the total magnetic energy of matter from the "sum rules techniques". We compare the results with data obtained from the thermal evolution of the Earth and other planets. Results. We obtain stringent upper limits to the variations in {\alpha} that are comparable with those obtained from atomic clock frequency variations. Conclusions. Our constraints imply that the fundamental length scale of Bekenstein's theory "lB" cannot be larger than Planck's length "lP".