Sustainability Aspects of Current and Future Electricity Supply Systems

Abstract

Approaches to comprehensive and consistent evaluation of sustainability of electricity supply systems including fossil, nuclear and renewable technologies are described. Sustainability can be assessed in a comparative manner using a comprehensive set of indicators derived using a variety of methods. Examples of indicators are provided for a variety of current systems. Some trends for future systems are briefly described. Finally, conclusions are drawn on performance of the various technologies with respect to economic, ecologic and social criteria.