scholarly journals Multi-Criteria and Life Cycle Assessment of Wood-Based Bioenergy Alternatives for Residential Heating: A Sustainability Analysis

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 4391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Martín-Gamboa ◽  
Luis C. Dias ◽  
Paula Quinteiro ◽  
Fausto Freire ◽  
Luís Arroja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Maritime Pine ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Wood Stove ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Weighted Sum Method ◽  
Residential Heating

Moving towards a global bioeconomy can mitigate climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels. Within this context, this work applies a set of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) tools to prioritise the selection of five alternative bioenergy systems for residential heating based on the combination of three commercial technologies (pellet, wood stove and traditional fireplace) and two different feedstocks (eucalypt and maritime pine species). Several combinations of MCDA methods and weighting approaches were compared to assess how much results can differ. Eight indicators were used for a sustainability assessment of the alternatives while four MCDA methods were applied for the prioritisation: Weighted Sum Method (WSM), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality (ELECTRE), and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE). Regarding the sustainability performance indicators, the highest environmental impacts were calculated for the fireplace alternatives, and there was not a best environmental option. Also, no clear trend was found for the economic and social dimensions. The application of MCDA tools shows that wood stove alternatives have the best sustainability performance, in particular wood stove with combustion of maritime pine logs (highest scores in the ranking). Regarding the worst alternative, fireplaces with combustion of eucalypt logs ranked last in all MCDA rankings. Finally, a sensitivity analysis for the weighting of the performance indicators confirmed wood stoves with combustion of maritime pine logs as the leading alternative and the key role of the analysts within this type of MCDA studies.

scholarly journals Sustainability Assessment of Public Transport, Part I—A Multi-Criteria Assessment Method to Compare Different Bus Technologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 825
Author(s):  
Jonas Ammenberg ◽  
Sofia Dahlgren
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
County Level ◽  
Participatory Process ◽  
Problem Context ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Sustainability Assessments

This article departs from the perspective of Swedish regional transport authorities and focuses on the public procurement of bus transports. Many of these public organizations on the county level have the ambition to contribute to a transition involving the continued marginalization of fossil fuels and improved sustainability performance. However, there are several renewable bus technologies to choose between and it can be difficult to know what alternative (or combination) is preferable. Prior research and the authors’ experiences indicate a need for improved knowledge and supportive methods on how sustainability assessments can support public procurement processes. The purpose of this article is to develop a multi-criteria assessment (MCA) method to support assessments of public bus technologies’ sustainability. The method, which was established in an iterative and participatory process, consists of four key areas and 12 indicators. The article introduces the problem context and reviews selected prior research of relevance dealing with green or sustainable public procurement and sustainability assessments. Further on, the process and MCA method are presented and discussed based on advice for effective and efficient sustainability assessments. In the companion article (Part II), the MCA method is applied to assess several bus technologies involving biodiesel, biomethane, diesel, electricity, ethanol and natural gas.

Characteristics, Features of Development, Regional and Sectoral Determinants of High-tech Business in Russia

2017 ◽  
pp. 142-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yusupova ◽  
S. Khalimova
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Business Development ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Assessment Data ◽  
High Tech Sector ◽  
Fast Growing ◽  
High Level

The paper deals with the research devoted to characteristics of high tech business development in Russia. Companies’ performance indicators have been analyzed with the help of regression analysis and author’s scheme of leadership stability and sustainability assessment. Data provided by Russia’s Fast Growing High-Tech Companies’ National Rating (TechUp) during 2012-2016 were used. The results have revealed that the high tech sector is characterized by high level of uncertainty. Limited number of regions and sectors which form the basis for high tech business have been defined. Relationship between innovation activity’s indicators and export potential is determined.

scholarly journals Sustainability Performance Assessment Using Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) and Classification and Ensembles of Regression Trees (CART)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3870
Author(s):  
Mehrbakhsh Nilashi ◽  
Shahla Asadi ◽  
Rabab Ali Abumalloh ◽  
Sarminah Samad ◽  
Fahad Ghabban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Prediction Accuracy ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Regression Trees ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
Self Organizing

This study aims to develop a new approach based on machine learning techniques to assess sustainability performance. Two main dimensions of sustainability, ecological sustainability, and human sustainability, were considered in this study. A set of sustainability indicators was used, and the research method in this study was developed using cluster analysis and prediction learning techniques. A Self-Organizing Map (SOM) was applied for data clustering, while Classification and Regression Trees (CART) were applied to assess sustainability performance. The proposed method was evaluated through Sustainability Assessment by Fuzzy Evaluation (SAFE) dataset, which comprises various indicators of sustainability performance in 128 countries. Eight clusters from the data were found through the SOM clustering technique. A prediction model was found in each cluster through the CART technique. In addition, an ensemble of CART was constructed in each cluster of SOM to increase the prediction accuracy of CART. All prediction models were assessed through the adjusted coefficient of determination approach. The results demonstrated that the prediction accuracy values were high in all CART models. The results indicated that the method developed by ensembles of CART and clustering provide higher prediction accuracy than individual CART models. The main advantage of integrating the proposed method is its ability to automate decision rules from big data for prediction models. The method proposed in this study could be implemented as an effective tool for sustainability performance assessment.

scholarly journals An integrated fuzzy intuitionistic sustainability assessment framework for manufacturing supply chain: a study of UK based firms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alok Choudhary ◽  
Arijit De ◽  
Karim Ahmed ◽  
Ravi Shankar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Mixed Method Approach ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Intuitionistic Fuzzy ◽  
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Topsis ◽  
Method Approach

AbstractThe increasing importance of sustainability has put pressure on organisations to assess their supply chain sustainability performance, which requires a holistic set of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to strategic, tactical and operational decision making of firms. This paper presents a comprehensive set of KPIs for sustainable supply chain management using a mixed method approach including analysing data from the literature survey, content analysis of sustainability reports of manufacturing firms and expert interviews. A 3-level hierarchical model is developed by classifying the identified KPIs into key sustainability dimensions as well as key supply chain decision-making areas including strategic, tactical and operational. A novel multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) based sustainability assessment framework is proposed. The proposed framework integrates value focussed thinking (VFT), intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and IF Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. The novelty of the research lies in (1) using a rigorous mixed method approach for KPIs identification and industrial validation (2) the development of a novel integrated intuitionistic sustainability assessment framework for decision making and (3) the innovative application of the proposed framework and associated methodologies in the context not explored before. The practical data on the performance ratings of various KPIs were obtained from the experts and a novel intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS was applied to benchmark the organisations for their sustainability performance. Furthermore, the case study shows the applicability of the proposed framework to evaluate and identify the problem areas of the organisations and yield guidance on KPIs by recognising the most significant areas requiring improvement. This research contributes to the practical implication by providing an innovative sustainability assessment framework for supply chain managers to evaluate and manage sustainability performance by making informed decisions related to KPIs.

Corporate sustainability assessment through fuzzy TOPSIS

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Bottani ◽  
Marta Rinaldi ◽  
Federico Solari
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Fuzzy Topsis ◽  
Analysis And Evaluation ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Order Preference ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Topsis Approach ◽  
Corporate Level

"The aim of this paper is to propose a decisionmaking methodology that enables the analysis and evaluation of sustainability at the corporate level. The proposed methodology grounds on two tools, namely the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach and fuzzy logic. The integration of these tools offers an effective way to deal with two typical issues of sustainability assessment, i.e.: 1) the fact that the company’s performance should be frequently evaluated against qualitative key performance indicators; and 2) the fact that to be meaningful, the company’s sustainability performance needs to be compared to a reference value, e.g. a threshold or benchmark, to evaluating how the company is distant from a target. The proposed approach has been applied to a real firm, operating in the food machinery industry, for testing purpose. The main pros and cons of the approach are described."

scholarly journals Perceived Project Sustainability Performance Indicators (PPSPI) for Value Planning

2015 ◽  
Vol 202 ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Hadi Nawawi ◽  
Faudzi Muhammad ◽  
Rohana Mahbub ◽  
Nazirah Zainul Abidin
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Project Sustainability

The impact of Logistics 4.0 on corporate sustainability: a performance assessment of automated warehouse operations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natnaree Nantee ◽  
Panitas Sureeyatanapas
Keyword(s):  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Technological Adaptation ◽  
Warehousing Systems ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the impacts of Logistics 4.0 initiatives (focusing on automated warehousing systems) on the economic, environmental and social dimensions of firms' sustainability performance. To achieve this objective, a new framework for the assessment of sustainable warehousing in the 4.0 era is developed.Design/methodology/approachThe framework, developed via the item-objective congruence index, Q-sort method and interviews with experts, is employed to assess performance changes through management interviews in two warehousing companies after the implementation of automation technologies.FindingsMost aspects of both companies' sustainability performance are considerably improved (e.g. productivity, accuracy, air emission, worker safety and supply chain visibility); however, the outcome for some criteria might be worsened or improved depending on each company's solutions and strategies (e.g. increasing electricity bills, maintenance costs and job losses).Practical implicationsThe findings provide insight into the effective implementation of warehousing technologies. The proposed framework is also a valid and reliable instrument for sustainability assessment for warehousing operators, which companies can utilise for self-assessment.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to establishing a body of literature that explores the previously unclarified effects of Logistics 4.0 on firms' sustainability performance. The proposed framework, which captures critical concerns of corporate sustainability and technological adaptation, is also the first of its kind for warehouse performance assessment.

scholarly journals Residential Consumers’ Willingness to Pay Price Premium for Renewable Heat in South Korea

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee-Hoon Kim ◽  
Seul-Ye Lim ◽  
Seung-Hoon Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Price Premium ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Residential Heating ◽  
The Cost

Heat accounts for about one-third of the final energy use and it is mostly produced using fossil fuels in South Korea. Thus, heat production is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. However, using renewable heat that is directly produced from renewable energy, such as bioenergy, geothermal, or solar heat can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, rather than transforming conventional fuel into heat. Therefore, an energy policy for renewable heat urgently needs to be established. It is such situations that this paper attempts to assess the consumers’ additional willingness to pay (WTP) or the price premium for renewable heat over heat that is produced from fossil fuels for residential heating. To that end, a nationwide contingent valuation survey of 1000 households was conducted during August 2018. Employing the model allowing for zero WTP values, the mean of the additional WTP or premium for one Gcal of heat produced using renewable energy rather than fossil fuels was estimated to be KRW 3636 (USD 3.2), which is statistically meaningful at the 1% level. This value represents the price premium for renewable heat over heat that is based on fossil fuels. Given that the heat price for residential heating was approximately KRW 73,000 (USD 65.1) per Gcal at the time of the survey, the additional WTP or the price premium corresponds to about 5% of that. When considering that the cost of producing renewable heat is still significantly higher than the cost of producing fossil fuels-based heat, more efforts to lower the production costs of renewable heat as well as financial support of the government for producing and supplying renewable heat are needed to ensure residential consumers’ acceptance of renewable heat.

scholarly journals Ultrafine Particles from Residential Biomass Combustion: A Review on Experimental Data and Toxicological Response

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (20) ◽  
pp. 4992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corsini ◽  
Marinovich ◽  
Vecchi
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Biomass Combustion ◽  
Particulate Matter Emission ◽  
Residential Heating ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Biomass burning is considered an important source of indoor and outdoor air pollutants worldwide. Due to competitive costs and climate change sustainability compared to fossil fuels, biomass combustion for residential heating is increasing and expected to become the major source of primary particulate matter emission over the next 5–15 years. The understanding of health effects and measures necessary to reduce biomass emissions of harmful compounds is mandatory to protect public health. The intent of this review is to report available data on ultrafine particles (UFPs, i.e., particles with diameter smaller than 100 nm) emitted by residential biomass combustion and their effects on human health (in vitro and in vivo studies). Indeed, as far as we know, papers focusing specifically on UFPs originating from residential biomass combustion and their impact on human health are still lacking.

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