Sustainability Evaluation of Power Systems Using MCDM Techniques

Abstract

[Abstract] Electricity plays a key role in the economic development of any region and in people’s quality of life. Its global demand is steadily growing, a trend that is expected to continue in the future. Power plants are usually assessed from technical and economic feasibility points of view. Nevertheless, both the resources of the planet and its capacity to withstand human-induced impacts are limited. Therefore, it is necessary to consider environmental and social criteria at the time of assessing the most important types of power plants. This is the only way to achieve a sustainable electricity sector. Consequently, in this chapter six different multi-criteria decision making methods (MCDM) are described and applied to assess the sustainability of renewable and non-renewable power systems throughout their life cycles, from cradle to grave. In particular, three criteria were considered: levelised cost of electricity (economic), direct job creation (social) and climate change potential including biogenic carbon (environmental). The results of all methods are presented and discussed in depth, adopting different approaches.