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A multi-criteria framework to assess the sustainability of renewable energy development in the Alps

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  • Gianluca Grilli
  • Isabella De Meo
  • Giulia Garegnani
  • Alessandro Paletto

Abstract

A multi-criteria analysis (MCA) was implemented to assess the best solutions for enhancing the production of renewable energy in the Alps. A set of criteria were selected based on the impacts of four renewable energy sources (forest biomass, hydropower, ground solar photovoltaic and wind power) on the three spheres of sustainability (environmental, social and economic). Three different scenarios are presented, each with a different set of weights for the criteria: the first scenario considers equally all three aspects of sustainability; the second scenario foresees an environmentally-oriented perspective, while the third scenario is more focused on the socio-economic aspects related to the development of renewable energy. Results show that forest biomass and hydropower seem to be the most viable solutions for enhancing the share of renewable energy in the Alps. Ground solar photovoltaic and wind power, on the other hand, seem to be less attractive alternatives due to their high impacts on land use.

Suggested Citation

  • Gianluca Grilli & Isabella De Meo & Giulia Garegnani & Alessandro Paletto, 2017. "A multi-criteria framework to assess the sustainability of renewable energy development in the Alps," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(7), pages 1276-1295, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:60:y:2017:i:7:p:1276-1295
    DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2016.1216398
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    2. Dodgson, JS & Spackman, M & Pearman, A & Phillips, LD, 2009. "Multi-criteria analysis: a manual," Economic History Working Papers 12761, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Economic History.
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    Cited by:

    1. Inger Auestad & Yngve Nilsen & Knut Rydgren, 2018. "Environmental Restoration in Hydropower Development—Lessons from Norway," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-12, September.
    2. Erica Vassoney & Andrea Mammoliti Mochet & Claudio Comoglio, 2020. "Multicriteria Analysis for the Assessment of Flow Release Scenarios from a Hydropower Plant in the Alpine Region," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 34(2), pages 637-651, January.
    3. Jan Macháč & Lenka Zaňková, 2020. "Renewables—To Build or Not? Czech Approach to Impact Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources with an Emphasis on Municipality Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Gianluca Grilli, 2017. "Renewable energy and willingness to pay: Evidences from a meta-analysis," ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(1-2), pages 253-271.
    5. Degirmenci, Tunahan & Yavuz, Hakan, 2024. "Environmental taxes, R&D expenditures and renewable energy consumption in EU countries: Are fiscal instruments effective in the expansion of clean energy?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).

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