Selection of MCA methods to support decision making for renewable energy developments

This paper presents a transferable and adaptable approach for selecting a suitable Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) method covering the stages of the ‘MCA cycle’ for decision making in the renewable energy sector. Selecting a suitable MCA method for an individual project or case study is a challenge due to the complexity of participatory sustainable decision making in this sector, as well as due to the complexity and large number of existing MCA methods. The methodology presented in this paper consists of both, generic and case-study specific parts.

The paper concludes that the methodology provides a transferable approach to systematically select a MCA method and to justify this selection. The methodology supports focusing on specific aspects, which are considered important and relevant for decision making processes. Furthermore, the case study's generic decision making situation allows the methodology to be applied broadly within the renewable energy sector. Moreover, the MCA methods and selection criteria identified and reviewed provide a broad application potential to assist MCA method selection in the energy and renewable energy sectors.