Multi-criteria decision aiding to improve participation in electricity grid planning and permitting

In its aim to decarbonize the majority of its electricity sector by 2050, the European Union has set ambitious targets for the implementation of renewable electricity sources, which consequently creates a growing need for grid extension and reinforcement. However, many existing planning procedures are hindered by stakeholder opposition to grid extension. In fact, building new grid infrastructures implies a multiplicity of risks, costs, and benefits, unevenly distributed among stakeholders, the population and the environment. This asymmetric distribution often resulted in a strong local opposition, generating further difficulties to the economic and technical complexities.
The project INSPIRE-Grid investigated and experimented modalities for stakeholder engagement in projects of electric transmission grid expansion, in order to effectively manage conflicts and support public decision-makers and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in the authorization process.
A Multi-Criteria Decision Aiding (MCDA) methodology was developed to consistently assess and compare all the negative impacts and benefits of a proposed infrastructure and its practicable alternatives, and to manage the conflicts.