Creating an Energy System that we Want but don’t Know Yet, Using Integrated Assessment, Transition Management and Multi-Criteria Analysis

Abstract

Within the last decades, environmental problems associated with fossil and nuclear power production and utilization have become manifest and require remedial actions to be taken. The development of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) seems to provide a promising alternative for a sustainable approach to energy utilization. However, the diffusion of RES faces a number of economic, institutional, social and technical obstacles. In this paper it is argued that a novel planning framework that combines, in a structured way, Integrated Assessment (IA), Transition Management (TM), and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) could aid a potential transition towards a more sustainable energy system with a significant RES contribution. After highlighting the major features of these frameworks and their interconnections, we provide insights relevant to the main structural elements of the new frame. Innovative aspects include the time varying nature of the weights of the evaluation criteria, the integration of different temporal and spatial scales into the analysis, the appropriate treatment of uncertainty, the involvement of a diverse audience of Decision-Makers (DMs) with different values and preferences and the incorporation of learning elements. A case study is used to disclose the ramifications of the proposed approach.

Modified PROMETHEE approach for assessing energy technologies

“…Thus, a method for decision support which takes account of the varying importance of criteria depending on the state of development of the technology could be useful, for example, for an energy utility that has to rebuild or expand its power plant fleet[1]. Indeed, Polatidis et al (2003, 2006) point out that criteria weights vary over time in multi‐criteria energy system planning. However, Polatidis et al (2003) suggest basing the criteria weights on the transition stage of the energy system as a whole instead of taking into account the individual development phase of a specific technology.…”

“…Indeed, Polatidis et al (2003, 2006) point out that criteria weights vary over time in multi‐criteria energy system planning. However, Polatidis et al (2003) suggest basing the criteria weights on the transition stage of the energy system as a whole instead of taking into account the individual development phase of a specific technology. In contrast, our approach aims at pointing out the differences between technologies related to different development phases and suggests applying different weights to different technologies at the same time.…”

Hierarchical multi‐objective optimization of India's energy strategy portfolios for sustainable development

“…Polatidis et al (2003) suggest a planning framework for transition to a new sustainable energy system combining integrated assessment (IA), transition management (TM) and multi‐criteria analysis (MCA). The framework suggests spatial integration mainly through IA and temporal integration through TM, with MCA providing the qualitative and quantitative dimension.…”

“…As such, new modelling approaches for the decision-making framework to include barrier representation as well as policy impacts are needed (Worrell et al, 2004) in economic-engineering models. Polatidis et al (2003) suggest a planning framework for transition to a new sustainable energy system combining integrated assessment (IA), transition management (TM) and multi-criteria analysis (MCA). The framework suggests spatial integration mainly through IA and temporal integration through TM, with MCA providing the qualitative and quantitative dimension.…”

Οικονομοτεχνικό Πλαίσιο Ανάπτυξης Πλωτών Ανεμογεννητριών Σε Απομακρυσμένες Περιοχές

“…Συνεπώς, και πέραν των άλλων (βελτίωση της ήδη υπάρχουσας τεχνολογίας, ανάπτυξη νέας, κτλ.) απαραίτητη προϋπόθεση για την περεταίρω αξιοποίηση και ανάπτυξη των ΑΠΕ θεωρείται η ανάπτυξη μεθοδολογιών όπου θα περιλαμβάνουν πολλαπλά κριτήρια απόφασης και αξιολόγησης σε τεχνοοικονομικό, περιβαλλοντικό, κοινωνικό και χωροταξικό επίπεδο (Polatidis et al, 2003).…”