Integrated life cycle sustainability assessment of the Greek interconnected electricity system

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to perform an integrated life cycle sustainability assessment of the Greek interconnected electricity system. Fifteen life cycle sustainability indicators were used to evaluate the electricity options that are currently operational to account for the environmental, economic and social dimension of an integrated sustainability assessment. Seven renewable and non-renewable options of the Greek interconnected electricity system were ranked using Multi-criteria Decision Analysis under the assumption of equal importance for the three sustainability aspects, as well as of different stakeholder preferences. Wind power plants, followed by small hydro plants, emerge as the most sustainable option when equal weighting is assumed for the sustainability aspects and in the case that priority is given to the environmental and economic aspects. However, when the social aspect is prioritised, photovoltaics appear to be the most sustainable option. Lignite power plants are found to be the least sustainable option, due to their unfavourable environmental impacts. This study explores the variations in the results of the integrated sustainability assessment of electricity generation options according to different stakeholder priorities and can be used to inform future policy decisions for the Greek interconnected electricity system.