Energy Security: Using Multicriteria Decision Analysis to Select Power Supply Alternatives for Small Settlements

Selecting an effective energy strategy for military installations and small towns is a challenge given the variety of climate, geographical, economic, and social conditions as well as military mission needs. This chapter illustrates a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework for energy infrastructure planning and technology selection that can be applied to energy security, climate change impacts, and other related uncertainties. The decision model frames the problem in terms of the power plant life cycle, including plant development, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning. Metrics associated with technical, economic, sociopolitical, ecological, and human health risks are considered for each life cycle stage. These criteria and metrics are developed and quantified based on available literature data and expert judgments, and are applied to a realistic case study.