Decision support for energy system transformation – A systematic analysis of MADM software for sustainability assessment

Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods for sustainability assessment (SA) have been used in various decision-making processes for energy system transformation. However, concerns remain about the complexity and resource intensity of their application. The literature on MCDA and SA involves methodological advances and case studies, but lacks of systematic analysis of MCDA software for decision support. This study conducts a systematic analysis on multi-attribute decision making (MADM) software and their functionality for SA from a theoretical and user perspective. The users are SA practitioners with different levels of knowledge and expertise of MADM methods. The functionality is determined by a set of features gathered from a literature review of studies conducting SA with MADM software and from dedicated literature exploring the capabilities of MADM methods for SA. These features and capabilities are translated into assessment criteria and domains that encompass the entire MADM process, from supporting problem formulation and preference elicitation to robustness analysis. A sample of 25 free MADM software was assessed using 29 criteria across eight domains. Finally, recommendations are provided based on an effort estimation required to extend the software functionality. Results show that the MCDA community aims to provide practitioners with reliable free MADM software. However, weaknesses are identified in the software assessed, particularly in the functionality for stakeholder's involvement, output variability analysis, and problem structuring. Collaborative initiatives involving SA practitioners, software developers and the MCDA community, can help to accordingly enhance MADM software for SA.