Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Environmentally Friendly Alternative Fuels

Abstract

In order to fulfil the environmental goals set for the coming years, industrial companies are motivated to look for clean technologies and green solutions. Replacing common fuels in the transport sector can also contribute to the reduction of emissions. In this work, we focus on four alternative fuels. The main raw materials are hydrogen together with carbon dioxide or used cooking oil. We analysed seven technologies for low-emission hydrogen production. However, in such types of production, there are often problems with combining the environmental side with the economic one because they are usually in conflict. The solution can be found using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Individual fuels were compared, as well as hydrogen production processes, using three criteria: minimum selling price, carbon footprint, and maturity of technology, in order to find the most suitable alternative. The main advantage of our MCDA approach is the objectivity of the final ranking. On the other hand, the complexity of this method also provides the possibility of the subjective choice of criteria preferences, which allows each decision maker to focus on their target of interest. Data-driven decision making also provides an opportunity to incorporate sensitivity analysis into our study.

Keywords

• low-emission hydrogen
• transport
• decision making
• green technologies