Multi-criteria decision analysis ranking alternative heating systems for remote communities in Nunavik

The majority of Canada's 300 remote communities must rely on petrol by-products for electricity and heating. However, alternative energy sources are gaining in interest. This paper presents a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of four alternative energy systems for heating, that is waste gasification and three types of combustion. A systemic approach is considered based on environmental, social and economic aspects. A single-family house in Kuujjuaq is selected for a case study. Results from the preference ranking organization method for enrichment and evaluation (PROMETHEE) show that wood pellets are the most suitable fuel for heating in all scenarios. It is followed by local waste gasification for the base-case and environmental scenarios and by fuel oil for the social and economic scenarios. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.