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Multi-Criteria versus Data Envelopment Analysis for Assessing the Performance of Biogas Plants

Author

Listed:
  • Reinhard Madlener

    (Center for Energy Policy and Economics CEPE, Department of Management, Technology and Economics, ETH Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Carlos Henggeler Antunes

    (Department of Electrical Engineering and Computers, University of Coimbra and INESC Coimbra, Rua Antero de Quental, 199, Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Luis C. Dias

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra and INESC Coimbra, Rua Antero de Quental, 199, Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

This paper compares multi-criteria decision aiding (MCDA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) approaches for assessing renewable energy plants, in order to determine their performance in terms of economic, environmental, and social criteria and indicators. The case is for a dataset of 41 agricultural biogas plants in Austria using anaerobic digestion. The results indicate that MCDA constitutes an insightful approach, to be used alternatively or in a complementary way to DEA, namely in situations requiring a meaningful expression of managerial preferences regarding the relative importance of evaluation aspects to be considered in performance assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Reinhard Madlener & Carlos Henggeler Antunes & Luis C. Dias, 2006. "Multi-Criteria versus Data Envelopment Analysis for Assessing the Performance of Biogas Plants," CEPE Working paper series 06-49, CEPE Center for Energy Policy and Economics, ETH Zurich.
  • Handle: RePEc:cee:wpcepe:06-49
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    References listed on IDEAS

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