The evaluation and prioritization framework of renewable energy sources and sustainable development in Iran, based on the multi-criteria decision-making method

Developing countries like Iran face increasing energy demands due to population growth and economic expansion. The country has numerous renewable energy resources that account for the majority of its total energy supply. As fossil fuel resources are running out, the government plans to increase its renewable energy share. Many studies have already been conducted on renewable resources. However, the interdependence between the criteria used to evaluate renewable resources has not been considered. This paper presents a planning, decision-making, and policy framework for renewable energy based on the Analytical Network Process (ANP). ANP is a multi-criteria analysis method and provides a tool for determining the relative importance of all criteria that affect the decision objective. This process allows us to identify dependencies and include them in the multi-criteria evaluation and decision-making method from the point of view of a group of experts and professionals on the subject. The case study of this research is related to the country of Iran, and strategic criteria such as technology, economy, environmental, political and social impacts are calculated and priorities for renewable energy are set and analyzed. The results of this study show that solar energy is at the top of energy alternatives for the country. Such studies help countries to make the best use of their renewable energy sources