Title: Multicriteria/multi-stakeholders comparative assessment of electricity generation scenarios in the sustainability context: a Swiss case study

Authors: P.-A. Haldi, Ch. Frei, L. Beurskens, N. Zhuikova

Addresses: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Departement de Genie, Civil Institut d'hydraulique et d'Energie, Laboratoire de Systemes Energetiques – Lasen, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Departement de Genie, Civil Institut d'hydraulique et d'Energie, Laboratoire de Systemes Energetiques – Lasen, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Departement de Genie, Civil Institut d'hydraulique et d'Energie, Laboratoire de Systemes Energetiques – Lasen, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Departement de Genie, Civil Institut d'hydraulique et d'Energie, Laboratoire de Systemes Energetiques – Lasen, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

Abstract: In this study, nine different electricity generation scenarios have been compared from a sustainability standpoint using an appropriate MCDA (Multicriteria Decision Aid) method. These scenarios consist of selected combinations of generation technologies and policy measures. A set of eleven criteria has been established to evaluate the performances of the scenarios along the three main ||axes|| of sustainability economy, ecology and society. A group of ten stakeholder representatives was formed to accompany the study. They participated in the scenario selection, the criteria definition and the fixing of their relative importance. For this last – always critical – process, a new approach has been devised and tested successfully. The results of the study show that the members of the accompanying stakeholder group privilege the scenario promoting (in a limited way) the use of renewable energies, with accompanying demand-side management measures and no anticipated retirement of the existing nuclear power.

Keywords: electricity generating scenarios; multicriteria decision aid; multicriteria/multi-stakeholders approach; sustainability assessment; Swiss electric sector planning; Switzerland.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2002.002562

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2002 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.102-124

Published online: 23 Jul 2003 *

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