Multi Criteria Decision Analysis as a Tool in Planning and Development of Future Power Systems Infrastructure

The manner in which energy systems operate and energy is consumed is needed to change in order to comply with current policy such as the Kyoto Protocol and the 20/20/20 target. It is expected that significant contributions would be made toward these objectives by the introduction of greater degrees of flexibility into power systems. Decentralised power systems have been suggested to provide benefits to operational characteristics such as increasing efficiency, maintaining or improving security of supply, minimisation of costs to consumers and generators, and reduction in CO2 emissions. Consideration of these criteria has made the planning and realisation of future power systems structure a multiple criteria problem. One of the tools to take the input and perspective from multiple (and often opposing) stakeholders into account is Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). This creates an analytical framework against which possible solutions can be evaluated. The results of different possible power network topologies can then be compared to provide a solution that is most compliant with regards to the perspectives and needs of all stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to present the MCDA methodology and show how it can be used by policy makers and stakeholders when making decisions on planning of future power systems.