In nonequilibrium thermodynamics, which of the following statements best describes the concept of entropy production?
A) Entropy production only occurs in closed systems at equilibrium.
B) Entropy production measures the rate at which energy is conserved in a system.
C) Entropy production quantifies the generation of disorder or randomness in a system that is away from equilibrium.
D) Entropy production refers to the reduction in entropy as a system approaches equilibrium.