Appraising Bioenergy Alternatives in Uganda Using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT)-Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and a Desirability Functions Approach

Published Date
Energies 2014, 7(3), 1171-1192; doi:10.3390/en7031171

Author

Collins Okello ^1,2

, Stefania Pindozzi ²

, Salvatore Faugno ²

 and Lorenzo Boccia ^2,* 

¹

Department of Biosystems Engineering, Gulu University, P.O. Box 166, Gulu, Uganda

²

Department of Agriculture, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, Portici 80055, Napoli, Italy

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. 

Received: 27 November 2013 / Revised: 16 January 2014 / Accepted: 7 February 2014 / Published: 26 February 2014

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass and Biofuels 2013)

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Abstract 

Poor access to clean and reliable energy technologies is a major challenge to most developing countries. The decision to introduce new technologies is often faced by low adoption rates or even public opposition. In addition, the data required for effective decision making is often inadequate or even lacking, thus constraining the planning process. In this study, a methodology for participatory appraisal of technologies, integrating desirability functions to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)-analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methodology was developed. Application of the methodology was illustrated with an example for participatory appraisal of four bioenergy technologies in Uganda. Results showed that the methodology is effective in evaluating stakeholder preferences for bioenergy technologies. It showed a high potential to be used to identify and rate factors that stakeholders take into consideration when selecting bioenergy systems. The method could be used as a tool for technology screening, or reaching consensus in a participatory setup in a transparent manner. View Full-Text

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