Social impact method of energy analysis: improvements and results

SIMEA (Social Impact Method of Energy Analysis) is a new methodology to evaluate the environmental impact of energy systems. The SIMEA approach is based on "enlarged environment" definition, considering not only the natural environment but also the "human environment", including the economic structure, social organisation, cultural and historical aspects of the site. The aim of SIMEA is to consider, in an integrated way, the many possible effects on the environment (considering the definition of an enlarged environment: nature, economy, culture, etc.) of an energy system and to evaluate its social consequences and effects. SIMEA is being developed in an "iterative" way, so, after the first development and validation in 1996, a second version of SIMEA has been realised and tested by applying the improved methodology to the same site. The improvements and results are proving the methodology's effectiveness and show that a possible computer-aided application can be expected after an analysis of the comparison between the two experiences has been carried out.