Decision Analysis and Policy Formulation for Technology-Specific Renewable Energy Targets

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Okioga, I. (2017). Decision Analysis and Policy Formulation for Technology-Specific Renewable Energy Targets. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

This study establishes a decision making procedure using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for a U.S. national renewable portfolio standard, and proposes technology-specific targets for renewable electricity generation for the country. The study prioritizes renewable energy alternatives based on a multi-perspective view: from the public, policy makers, and investors’ points-of-view, and uses multiple criteria for ranking the alternatives to generate a unified prioritization scheme. During this process, it considers a ‘quadruple bottom-line’ approach (4P), i.e. reflecting technical "progress", social "people", economic ‘profits", and environmental "planet" factors. The AHP results indicated that electricity generation from solar PV ranked highest, and biomass energy ranked lowest. A "Benefits/Cost Incentives/Mandates" (BCIM) model was developed to identify where mandates are needed, and where incentives would instead be required to bring down costs for technologies that have potential for profitable deployment. The BCIM model balances the development of less mature renewable energy technologies, without the potential for rising near-term electricity rates for consumers. It also ensures that recommended policies do not lead to growth of just one type of technology – the "highest-benefit, least-cost" technology. The model indicated that mandates would be suited for solar PV, and incentives generally for geothermal and concentrated solar power. Development for biomass energy, as a "low-cost, low-benefits" alternative was recommended at a local rather than national level, mainly due to its low resource potential values. Further, biomass energy generated from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) had the least resource potential compared to other biomass sources. The research developed methodologies and recommendations for biogas electricity targets at WWTPs, to take advantage of the waste-to-energy opportunities.

Details
Author

Okioga, Irene

Title

Decision Analysis and Policy Formulation for Technology-Specific Renewable Energy Targets

Physical Description

1 online resource (229 pages) : PDF

Date

2017

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

This study establishes a decision making procedure using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for a U.S. national renewable portfolio standard, and proposes technology-specific targets for renewable electricity generation for the country. The study prioritizes renewable energy alternatives based on a multi-perspective view: from the public, policy makers, and investors’ points-of-view, and uses multiple criteria for ranking the alternatives to generate a unified prioritization scheme. During this process, it considers a ‘quadruple bottom-line’ approach (4P), i.e. reflecting technical "progress", social "people", economic ‘profits", and environmental "planet" factors. The AHP results indicated that electricity generation from solar PV ranked highest, and biomass energy ranked lowest. A "Benefits/Cost Incentives/Mandates" (BCIM) model was developed to identify where mandates are needed, and where incentives would instead be required to bring down costs for technologies that have potential for profitable deployment. The BCIM model balances the development of less mature renewable energy technologies, without the potential for rising near-term electricity rates for consumers. It also ensures that recommended policies do not lead to growth of just one type of technology – the "highest-benefit, least-cost" technology. The model indicated that mandates would be suited for solar PV, and incentives generally for geothermal and concentrated solar power. Development for biomass energy, as a "low-cost, low-benefits" alternative was recommended at a local rather than national level, mainly due to its low resource potential values. Further, biomass energy generated from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) had the least resource potential compared to other biomass sources. The research developed methodologies and recommendations for biogas electricity targets at WWTPs, to take advantage of the waste-to-energy opportunities.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Power resources
Government policy
Environmental engineering

Degree

Ph.D.

Keywords

AHP
Analytic Hierarchy Process
Energy Policy
Energy Portfolio
Energy Prioritization
Renewable Energy

Subject Area

Infrastructure & Environmental Systems

Advisor(s)

Sireli, Yesim

Committee Members

Wu, Jy
Diemer, John
Malinowski, Patricia
Munir, Mariya

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2017.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Okioga_uncc_0694D_11547

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:1727