Energy Efficiency contribution to sustainable development: A multi-criteria approach in Greece

ABSTRACT

This study performs a model-based multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for supporting policy makers in Greece, in designing energy-efficiency policies through the selection of the most effective measures, towards sustainable development. The impact assessment of energy-efficiency measures is based on their macroeconomic, environmental and social implications. Such an evaluation of a quite large number of energy-efficiency measures, regarding both the building and the transport sector and based also on the combination of PROMETHEE and SIMOS methods while performing a sensitivity analysis, is not available in the international literature. The analysis deploys three energy-efficiency co-benefits, derived from energy models and input-output analysis, as well as the cost-effectiveness and the technical feasibility of each measure. This combination of MCDA with input-output analysis is another innovation of the study. The final ranking revealed that, generally, measures in buildings are more effective than those in transportation, while significant differentiations between residential and commercial buildings emerged.

KEYWORDS:

• Energy-efficiency measures
• energy policy
• input-output analysis
• multiple-criteria analysis
• PROMETHEE
• sustainable development
• SIMOS

Acknowledgments

The most important part of this research is based on the projects “Technical Assistance for renewable energies and energy efficiency”, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, with Service contract Νο. 81226264 and “Technical Assistance for renewable energies and energy efficiency”, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, with Service contract Νο. 81224282. The sole responsibility for the content of this paper lies with the authors.