Multidimensional assessment of heat and power supply technologies with a special focus on CHP

Heat and Power supply are an important element for today's societies. Energy supply plays a major role in the discussion for a competitive and sustainable economy. The liberalisation of electricity markets together with the fact that a large number of new power stations have to be build during the next 25 to 35 years makes it very important to select and identify the best energy technologies available on the market today and those who might play an important role in the near future. However, the identification of "the best" technology is not as easy as it seems, as different dimensions have to be taken into consideration. In this context multi-criteria assessment is a methodology that can be applied. The main three dimensions which have to be considered are economy, ecology and technology. When trying to evaluate different technologies, all three dimensions have to be taken into account. The dimensions are further divided by different target criteria. Achievements of technologies in the different dimensions are measured in different units and a consensus needs to be found, how to standardize and weight the different dimensions. The paper presents a methodology for multi-criteria assessment of heat and power supply technologies as well as its application. The methodology is aiming at preparing a sound foundation for decision making in the energy sector.