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Improving appraisal of sustainability of energy options – A view from Slovenia

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  • Kontić, Branko
  • Bohanec, Marko
  • Kontić, Davor
  • Trdin, Nejc
  • Matko, Maruša

Abstract

The new Slovenian approach to systematic, transparent, and reproducible appraisal of sustainability as related to electricity production is presented. The common sustainability components, i.e. economy, environment, and society, are integrated into evaluation of the feasibility, rationality, and uncertainty of the energy mix alternatives. A three stage model has been applied for this sustainability appraisal. The first level deals with alternative technologies for electricity production, the second with alternative mixtures of technologies for meeting electricity needs by 2050, and the third takes into account the expected timing of shutting-down existing old power plants and constructing the new ones. Technology alternatives cover both conventional and renewable energy sources: coal fired, gas fired, biomass fired, oil fired, nuclear, hydro, wind, and photovoltaic. The results show that only mixtures of nuclear, hydro, and gas fired technologies are reliable and rational in the context of meeting expected energy needs. The expected share of energy produced by wind and photovoltaic technology is between 8% and 15%, which makes them less sustainable than other technologies. Eventually, they do not meet sustainability goals from the economic and social points of view.

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  • Kontić, Branko & Bohanec, Marko & Kontić, Davor & Trdin, Nejc & Matko, Maruša, 2016. "Improving appraisal of sustainability of energy options – A view from Slovenia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 154-171.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:90:y:2016:i:c:p:154-171
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.12.022
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    1. Urošević, Branka Gvozdenac & Marinović, Budimirka, 2021. "Ranking construction of small hydro power plants using multi-criteria decision analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 1174-1183.
    2. Matko, Maruša & Golobič, Mojca & Kontić, Branko, 2017. "Reducing risks to electric power infrastructure due to extreme weather events by means of spatial planning: Case studies from Slovenia," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 12-24.
    3. Marko Bohanec & Nejc Trdin & Branko Kontić, 2017. "A qualitative multi-criteria modelling approach to the assessment of electric energy production technologies in Slovenia," Central European Journal of Operations Research, Springer;Slovak Society for Operations Research;Hungarian Operational Research Society;Czech Society for Operations Research;Österr. Gesellschaft für Operations Research (ÖGOR);Slovenian Society Informatika - Section for Operational Research;Croatian Operational Research Society, vol. 25(3), pages 611-625, September.

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