New methodological approach in techno-economic and environmental optimization of sustainable energy production

Abstract

Among its other objectives and principles, sustainable development concept includes finding the optimal technical solutions that will enable exploitation of the resources of energy with minimal environmental damage. The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate methodological approach by using several operational research methods for selecting the optimal solution for complex, multipurpose power-plants construction concept problem with taking the sustainable development aspects into account. These methods are: ELECTREI-IV, PROMETHEEI-IV, method of analytic hierarchy process, and linear programming. The aim of this research was to find out highly efficient, but relatively simple methods of defining environmental-friendly and socio-politically acceptable technical solution. The new methodology is developed and tested by case studies of determining the optimal choice for the construction of thermal and hydro power plants in the areas extremely exposed to conflict of economic, environmental, and socio-political interest.