Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Clean Energy Technologies

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Economic Development and Planning, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

2 PhD Student, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

This study examines the potential of clean energy technologies in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7 (SDG 7), in Iran. Given the environmental challenges posed by climate change and the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, identifying and evaluating clean energy technologies is essential for achieving these goals. This research utilizes multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodologies to analyze and evaluate various clean energy technologies. The evaluation criteria in this study include energy transition, geographic, economic, political, social, and environmental factors. These criteria comprehensively analyze different aspects of energy sustainability, enabling the comparison and ranking of various technologies. Using MCDM methods such as Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), VIKOR, and PROMETHEE II, the results reveal that solar and wind energy emerge as the top choices in various domains, including production capacity, cost-effectiveness, and social acceptance. These findings can assist policymakers and decision-makers in formulating effective strategies for sustainable energy development. Additionally, the results of this study can contribute to improving the energy landscape of the country and supporting the achievement of global climate goals and sustainable development objectives. Ultimately, this research highlights the importance of utilizing clean energy technologies and multi-criteria approaches in energy decision-making and serves as a reference for future studies in this field.

Keywords

References

Bączkiewicz, A., & Kizielewicz, B. (2021). Towards sustainable energy consumption evaluation in Europe for industrial sector based on MCDA methods. Procedia Computer Science, 192, 1334-1346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2021.08.137
Barney, A., Petersen, U. R., & Polatidis, H. (2022). Energy scenarios for the Faroe Islands: A MCDA methodology including local social perspectives. Sustainable Futures, 4, 100092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2022.100092.
Behzadpour, M., & Zargar, A. (2020). Investigation and Identification of Clean Energy (Solar and Wind) in the Urban Environment. Green Architecture, 22(6), 31-38. (In Persian)
Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide through Qualitative Analysis. Sage Publications.
Caldeira, M. C., Baldez, R. M., Tais de Paula, A. P., & de Figueiredo, J. J. (2024). Maximizing geothermal prospects: Unveiling Paraná Basin’s potential through advanced GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Geothermics, 116, 102847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2023.102847.
Elavarasan, R. M., Pugazhendhi, R., Jamal, T., Dyduch, J., Arif, M. T., Kumar, N. M., ... & Nadarajah, M. (2021). Envisioning the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of energy sustainability (SDG 7) in the post-COVID-19 world. Applied Energy, 292, 116665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116665.
IRENA. (2020). Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review. https://www.irena.org/publications/2020/Sep/Renewable-Energy-and-Jobs-Annual-Review-2020.
Islam, M. R., Aziz, M. T., Alauddin, M., Kader, Z., & Islam, M. R. (2024). Site suitability assessment for solar power plants in Bangladesh: A GIS-based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. Renewable Energy, 220, 119595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119595.
Khorasani, M., & Niazi, M. (2025). Environmental justice scenarios and sustainable development goals (case study: Kashan city). Sociology of Culture and Art. doi: 10.22034/scart.2025.139900.1383 (In Persian).
Kocabaldır, C., & Yücel, M. A. (2023). GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis for spatial planning of solar photovoltaic power plants in Çanakkale province, Turkey. Renewable Energy, 212, 455-467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.05.075.
Mokhtar, A. S., et al. (2021). Factors Influencing the Acceptance of Renewable Energy Technologies: A Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, 110175.
Pavlović, B., Ivezić, D., & Živković, M. (2021). A multi-criteria approach for assessing the potential of renewable energy sources for electricity generation: Case Serbia. Energy Reports, 7, 8624-8632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.02.072.
Raza, M. A., Yousif, M., Hassan, M., Numan, M., & Kazmi, S. A. A. (2023). Site suitability for solar and wind energy in developing countries using combination of GIS-AHP; a case study of Pakistan. Renewable Energy, 206, 180-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.02.010.
Ruiz, H. S., Sunarso, A., Ibrahim-Bathis, K., Murti, S. A., & Budiarto, I. (2020). GIS-AHP Multi Criteria Decision Analysis for the optimal location of solar energy plants at Indonesia. Energy Reports, 6, 3249-3263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.11.198.
Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of innovations the free Press of Glencoe. NY, 32, 891-937.‏
Rogers, E. M., Singhal, A., & Quinlan, M. M. (2014). Diffusion of innovations. In An integrated approach to communication theory and research (pp. 432-448). Routledge.‏
Tekeli, F. N., Filiz, B. C., Yörüklü, H. C., & Figen, A. K. (2024). Multi-criteria decision framework for catalyst selection: Production of formic acid as a circular liquid organic hydrogen carrier in the hydrogen economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 452, 142125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142125.
UN Environment Programme. (2021). Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy. https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/sustainable-development-goals/why-do-sustainable-development-goals-matter/goal-7. (accessed 1 May 2021).
Zandi, M. E., Saghafi, F., Aslani, A., & Khayatian Yazdi, M.S. (2024). Analysis of the Place of Energy in Development Programs from the Perspective of Innovation Strategy and Sustainable Development. Quarterly Journal of Strategic Management Studies, 15(58), 23-42. (In Persian).
Zhou, J., et al. (2020). A New Approach for Evaluating the Acceptance of Renewable Energy Technologies. Energy Policy, 140, 111412.
Journal of Society and the Environment
Volume 2, Issue 5
August 2025
Pages 159-191

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics