Abstract
The aim of the paper is to rank the agro-energy regions according to their potentials of biomass production in the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM). For this reason, a model of Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCDA) is developed with the ELimination and Et Choix Traduisant la REalite (ELECTRE) ΙΙΙ method, with the construction of outranking relations. The aim is to compare in a comprehensive way each pair of action, in our case the agro-energy regions of the RCM, in order to satisfy the main goal which is to rank the seven regions as regards their biomass production. The final goal is to select the optimal crop plan as a pilot case for biomass production in the region. In the case of ELECTRE III multicriteria model, we used several conflicting criteria such as the farm income, the biomass production from crop residues, the variable costs, and the production of thermal energy and electrical energy. Alongside a technical and economic analysis of the study area is conducted for the existent crop plans of each agro-energy region. The results show that agro-energy regions with cereals and arable crops have better results than regions with fruit trees and other crops.
Highlights
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has set a series of environmental measures known as Agrienvironmental Schemes .Farmers must meet the conditions set by these measures in order to be eligible for subsidies for their cultivated crops
Examples are the multicriteria model for the assessment of rural development plans in Greece [13], the model for rural households to measure the effects of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in three Southern European countries [14], and similar examples are the work of Xu et al [15], Valiakos and Siskos [16] and Prišenk et al [17]
The ELimination and Et Choix Traduisant la REalite (ELECTRE) III multicriteria model will be used for the first time for ranking agro-energy regions focusing on biomass production
Summary
The E.U. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has set a series of environmental measures known as Agrienvironmental Schemes .Farmers must meet the conditions set by these measures in order to be eligible for subsidies for their cultivated crops. The contribution of biomass utilization industries from agricultural residues and in particular in Southern Europe has been presented in several research papers [3,4]. In this way farmers have an incentive to keep agricultural residues, a new form of bio-energy and agro-energy regions grow, diminishing the effects of climate change and creating a sustainable economic model [5]
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