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U.S. Department of Energy
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Methodology for evaluation of intertechnology tradeoffs

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7077532· OSTI ID:7077532
A methodological interface between the impact-assessment process and the decision maker is developed. Although the presented method is rather widely applicable, it is particularly helpful for those who are dealing with the complex problems surrounding the environmental, health, and economic impacts of alternative-energy technologies and policies. These problems are characterized by: (1) multiple conflicting objectives, (2) uncertainty, (3) variable outcomes over time, and (4) dynamic behavior. The issues are complicated further by the different preference structures of stakeholders, analysts, and decision makers. Minimum cost, benefit-cost, and decision analysis are three approaches that have been taken with respect to this type of problem. Decision analysis has been found to offer certain advantages over the others in that impact aggregation and uncertainty can be incorporated rather successfully. The recommended methodology has three basic stages: (1) problem formulation, (2) objective hierarchy selection, and (3) alternatives evaluation. The output of the formal analysis is assessment information that can serve as the basis of the informal processes that result in policy statements or recommendations.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
7077532
Report Number(s):
ANL/AA-22
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English