Sustainable Development Factors in Pavement Life-Cycle: Highway/Airport Review

Sustainability has gained as much importance as management in business. Sustainable pavement development as a business practice should involve making evaluations according to the triple bottom line in the pavement life-cycle. Despite the current approaches to evaluating the social as well as economic and environmental feasibility of pavement projects (involving highway and airport infrastructure), there has recently been a lack of consensus on a methodology to guarantee sustainability upon assessment and analysis during the pavement life-cycle. As sustainability is a complex issue, this study intends to further explore sustainability and elaborate on its meaning. The second step involves a general depiction of the major sustainability appraisal tools, namely cost-benefit analysis, life-cycle cost analysis, life-cycle assessment, multi-criteria decision-making, environmental impact assessment and social life-cycle assessment, and an explanation of their cons and pros. Subsequently, the article addresses the application of an organized methodology to highlight the main factors or concepts that should be applied in sustainable pavement development and, more specifically, in sustainable pavement management. In the final step, research recommendations toward sustainability are given. This study is aimed to assist decision-makers in pavement management to plan sustainability frameworks in accordance with probable boundaries and restrictions

Bibliometric analysis of scientific production on methods to aid decision making in the last 40 years

Purpose: Multicriteria methods have gained traction in both academia and industry practices for effective decision-making over the years. This bibliometric study aims to explore and provide an overview of research carried out on multicriteria methods, in its various aspects, over the past forty-four years. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were searched for publications from January 1945 to April 29, 2021, on multicriteria methods in titles, abstracts, and keywords. The bibliographic data were analyzed using the R bibliometrix package. Findings: This bibliometric study asserts that 29,050 authors have produced 20,861 documents on the theme of multicriteria methods in 131 countries in the last forty-four years. Scientific production in this area grows at a rate of 13.88 per year. China is the leading country in publications with 14.14%; India with 10.76%; and Iran with 8.09%. Islamic Azad University leads others with 504 publications, followed by the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University with 456 and the National Institute of Technology with 336. As for journals, Expert Systems With Applications; Sustainability; and Journal of Cleaner Production are the leading journals, which account for more than 4.67% of all indexed literature. Furthermore, Zavadskas E. and Wang J have the highest publications in the multicriteria methods domain regarding the authors. Regarding the most commonly used multicriteria decision-making methods, AHP is the most favored approach among the ten countries with the most publications in this research area, followed by TOPSIS, VIKOR, PROMETHEE, and ANP. Practical implications: The bibliometric literature review method allows the researchers to explore the multicriteria research area more extensively than the traditional literature review method. It enables a large dataset of bibliographic records to be systematically analyzed through statistical measures, yielding informative insights. Originality/value: The usefulness of this bibliometric study is summed in presenting an overview of the topic of the multicriteria methods during the previous forty-four years, allowing other academics to use this research as a starting point for their research

Sustainability Concept In Developing Countries

Sustainability Concept in Developing Countries is a collection of seven studies addressing the issue of sustainability from the perspective of developing countries. Although it is not a comprehensive review of all developing countries, these contributions do portray some of the major issues in achieving sustainability in many developing countries. The book is divided into two parts: Part 1 includes chapters related to concepts and methodology relevant to sustainability in the context of developing countries. Part 2 presents some actual case studies including descriptions of the situations and advice on how to address sustainability in such economies. This book is a useful reference for professionals in developing countries as well as other jurisdictions

Towards circular economy in developing cities: an integrated approach for planning international cooperation projects

Solid waste management (SWM) issues are an environmental and social burden, which affect mainly the population of low-middle income countries worldwide, as well as the global environment. The application of the circular economy (CE) principles (reuse of waste materials) is considered the main solution spreading the economy of the waste and therefore reducing environmental impacts. This research is focused on the analysis and application of integrated approaches for planning sustainable SWM systems in developing big cities, demonstrating the importance of the inclusion of the informal recycling and drafting international cooperation projects for introducing new appropriate technologies and awareness campaigns. The case study of this research is La Paz (Bolivia), low-middle income city where international support is required for the sustainable development. The results allow suggesting that the inclusion of informal recyclers can be considered the most useful option in terms of technical and financial issues, exploiting a CE system just in place. Moreover, the cooperation with local and international stakeholders allows writing and submitting two international cooperation projects. The research demonstrates that the cooperation among various international and local actors, such as Universities, non-governmental organizations and local Government, in parallel with the use of technical knowledge and methodologies can support the sustainable development in low-middle countries, driving low-middle income cities towards the CE

Towards circular economy in developing cities: an integrated approach for planning international cooperation projects

Solid waste management (SWM) issues are an environmental and social burden, which affect mainly the population of low-middle income countries worldwide, as well as the global environment. The application of the circular economy (CE) principles (reuse of waste materials) is considered the main solution spreading the economy of the waste and therefore reducing environmental impacts. This research is focused on the analysis and application of integrated approaches for planning sustainable SWM systems in developing big cities, demonstrating the importance of the inclusion of the informal recycling and drafting international cooperation projects for introducing new appropriate technologies and awareness campaigns. The case study of this research is La Paz (Bolivia), low-middle income city where international support is required for the sustainable development. The results allow suggesting that the inclusion of informal recyclers can be considered the most useful option in terms of technical and financial issues, exploiting a CE system just in place. Moreover, the cooperation with local and international stakeholders allows writing and submitting two international cooperation projects. The research demonstrates that the cooperation among various international and local actors, such as Universities, non-governmental organizations and local Government, in parallel with the use of technical knowledge and methodologies can support the sustainable development in low-middle countries, driving low-middle income cities towards the CE

Comparative analysis on decision making in the case of nuclear power plant development in the Republic of Kazakhstan

학위논문 (석사)-- 서울대학교 대학원 : 공과대학 협동과정 기술경영·경제·정책전공, 2019. 2. Heo, Eunnyeong.카자흐스탄은 우라늄 최대생산국이자 수출국이면서 동시에 구 소련연방국가이기에 원자력산업의 개발에 대한 관심이 크다. 풍부한 우라늄 매장량은 특히 카자흐스탄 정부가 원자력발전에 대한 정책을 지속적으로 논의하여온 대표적인 이유이다. 그러나 원자력발전이 실제로 카자흐스탄에서 개시되기 위해는 많은 제약과 한계를 넘어야 한다. 본 논문은 이러한 배경을 바탕으로 하여, 카자흐스탄에서 원자력 발전을 시작하기 위한 전제조건들이 무엇인지 찾고 또한 찾은 조건들의 중요도를 비교 분석하였다. 분석방법론으로는 복잡한 의사결정구조를 평가하는 분석에 활발히 사용되고 있는 Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)를 사용하였다. 본 연구에서는 먼저 관련 문헌을 분석하여 전제조건들을 나열하고, 이들을 전문가설문을 통하여 4개의 중분류 조건과 12개의 세부조건으로 정리하였다. 다음으로, 카자흐스탄 정부 중 실무를 담당하는 에너지부와 재정을 담당하는 투자개발부 소속 공무원들을 대상으로 하여 4개 중분류 조건 및 12개 세부조건들을 대상으로 AHP 분석을 실시하여 이들간의 중요도를 비교 분석하였다. 분석결과, 투자개발부 공무원들은 4개 중분류 중 경제성이 가증 중요도가 높다고 판단한 반면, 에너지부 공무원들은 환경성이 가장 중요하다고 판단하고 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 두 부처 공무원들 모두 사회정치적 조건들은 중요하지 않다고 판단하였다. 세부 기준 중에는 건설비용과 회수기간 등이 투자개발부 공무원들이 가장 중요하게 생각한 조건인 반면 에너지부 공무원들은 소음과 주민수용성을 들었다. 한편 연구개발이나 효율성 등은 중요도가 낮게 나와 카자흐스탄 정부의 원자력에 대한 태도를 확인할 수 있었다. 주요어 : Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), 카자흐스탄, 원자력발전, 정부정책. 학 번 : 2017-29469Despite that almost all former USSR republics refused Soviet nuclear weapons, only Kazakhstan could reap the maximum of reputational benefits from this and make the nuclear-free status a part of its international reputation. Being among largest producers and exporters of uranium in the world, Kazakhstan is directly interested in the development of the nuclear industry. The abundance of uranium resources and the provision of continuous supplies of low-enriched uranium provides an additional incentive for the development of domestic nuclear programs. As a result, the issue of necessity of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan is occasionally discussed in the government. In this regard, there are many questions that have to be answered before the construction of the nuclear power plant could begin. This research tries to investigate and rank the assessment criteria and factors that should be taken into account for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan. The methodology of this study consists of two steps: First, a detailed literature review is conducted in order to identify the assessment criteria and sub-criteria for government officials in decision making. The second step covers obtaining opinions from the experts in energy-related area. The collected information is analyzed using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). With the help of the AHP, the weight of each criterion and sub-criterion is calculated. The results show that among all four criteria, the Economic criterion is the most crucial for decision makers from the Ministry for Investments and Development. On the other hand, the Environmental criterion is the most important among decision makers from the Ministry of Energy. The Environmental criterion was assessed by the Ministry for Investments and Development as the least important factor in the construction of a nuclear power plant. Interestingly, both decision making groups did not assess the Socio-Political criterion as an important barrier. Moreover, government officials from the Ministry for Investment and Development believe that Construction cost and Payback period are the most important barriers in the development of a nuclear power plant, however, Social Acceptance and Noise play only an insignificant role in the decision making. In the case of the Ministry of Energy, criteria such as Impact on environment and Land use are the most significant, while Efficiency and R&D were assessed with a low importance. Key words: Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Republic of Kazakhstan, Criteria, Decision making, Nuclear energy, Nuclear power plant. Student number: 2017-29469Abstract iii Contents v List of Tables vii List of Figures viii Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Overall introduction 1 1.2 Development of energy sector in Kazakhstan 3 1.3 Energy sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan 9 1.4 Purpose of study 16 1.5 Research motivation 21 1.6 Research questions and thesis structure 23 Chapter 2. Literature review and methodology for comparative analysis 25 2.1 Literature review 25 2.2 The Analytic Hierarchy Process 31 2.3 Why the Analytic Hierarchy Process? 34 2.4 Main steps of the AHP 37 2.4.1 Representing the initial problem in the form of a hierarchical structure 37 2.4.2 Pairwise comparison of individual hierarchy component 38 2.4.3 Obtaining normalized matrix 40 2.4.4 Consistency index and consistency ratio 41 Chapter 3. Model and Data 43 3.1 Previous studies 43 3.2 Basic concept of barriers related to the construction of nuclear power plants 50 3.3 Description of criteria 52 3.3.1 Socio-Political criterion 52 3.3.2 Technical criterion 53 3.3.3 Economic criterion 54 3.3.4 Environmental criterion 55 3.4 Consistency test 58 Chapter 4. Results of AHP 65 4.1 Weights of main criteria 65 4.2 Weights of sub criteria within Socio-Political criterion 68 4.3 Weights of sub criteria within Technical criterion 71 4.4 Weights of sub criteria within Economic criterion 73 4.5 Weights of sub criteria within Environmental criterion 75 4.6 Results of Global Priorities 77 4.7 Comparative analysis 81 4.7.1 Ministry for Investments and Development 81 4.7.2 Ministry of Energy 83 4.7.3 Weight of each barrier and analysis of differences between two decision making groups ………..85 Chapter 5. Conclusion 87 5.1 Overall conclusion 88 5.2 Limitations of Study 90 Bibliography 91 Appendix 1: Questionaire 103 Abstract (Korean) 113 Aknowledgement 115Maste

Digitalizing Circular Economy through Blockchains: The Blockchain Circular Economy Index

The integration of circular economy (CE) models into everyday contexts generates huge amount of data involved in goods tracking and tokenization procedures. The sector of blockchain platforms is extremely varied, and the choice of the proper technology is not easy. It is important that the selection is conducted consistently with respect to the CE models. With this study, we present a performance index named Blockchain Circular Economy Index (BCEI). BCEI, obtained through Multicriteria Decision Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process, aims to measure the suitability of blockchain platforms to the needs highlighted by a CE scenario. The present study is contextualized by comparing six blockchain platforms, for each of which, the related BCEI is calculated. The results of the analysis show that transaction fee and energy consumption are the two most critical parameters. In addition, the results show the lack of a leading blockchain technology in CE models. Thus, there is a market space that can be exploited given the growing interest in digital and sustainable issues

Assessment of municipal solid waste disposal options using analytical hierarchy process and life cycle analysis

Disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in the city of Johor Bahru has been one of the challenges to the authorities and the public. Population sizes and MSW generation rates are increasing every year. The two existing landfills which are located at Seelong and Tanjung Langsat, can no longer cope with the amount of the MSW. This imposes more negative burden on the environment and public health; thus calling for better MSW disposal alternatives. However, local authorities are confronted with problems, protests and resistance as well as financial constraints in choosing and implementing waste disposals facilities. Solving the problem involves a complex evaluation procedure because compromises and tradeoffs among stakeholders and other interest groups are difficult to reach. In the current study, two concepts, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and life cycle assessment (LCA) were used. The objectives are to identify stakeholders’ opinion on MSW disposal (through visits, meetings, conferences and symposia sessions) and use AHP to structure those opinions in proposing disposal alternatives (landfilling, recycling, incineration, composting) along environmental, economic and social implications. LCA was finally conducted to assess environmental impacts of the disposals so that informed and sustained disposal decisions can be implemented. AHP results showed that habitat depletion, land use, stream ecology, air quality and flora & fauna dominated environmental concerns of the stakeholders. Capital cost, operation and maintenance cost, landfill capacity and regulation influence were the most critical criteria in economic factors. Concern for public health and safety, public awareness, cooperation among others were found to dominate the social factors. The four alternative disposal options (i.e. landfilling, recycling, incineration, composting) were assessed and ranked according to the preferences of the stakeholders. Incineration and composting were most preferred to landfilling and recycling. Landfilling was not preferred and was perceived to be most environmentally polluting, economically unsustainable and socially unacceptable by the stakeholders. LCA results showed that Landfill has the highest impacts among the selected environmental impact categories namely, global warming (992 kg Carbon dioxide eq), acidification (0.104 moles of Nitrogen or Sulphur-eq), photochemical ozone formation (0.686 kg Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds) (MNVOC) and eutrophication (0.104 moles of Nitrogen or Sulphureq); except for ozone depletion potential having the highest impacts (0.686 kg Chlorofluorocarbon 11-eq) in the incineration plan due to the presence of Chlorofluorocarbon-based chemicals utilized in flue gas purification. Incineration with energy recovery and composting with stable organic compost were found to have least environmental impacts. Finally, views of concerns of stakeholder on MSW disposal in Johor Bahru city were identified and modelled with AHP. Practical environmental performance of the disposal alternatives were demonstrated through the LCA. Combination of the concepts (i.e. AHP and LCA) revealled better information in sustainability of disposing MSW by incineration and composting. This can aid more guided information on selecting better MSW disposal alternatives. Thus it will be possible to avoid misunderstandings on MSW treatments e.g. incineration since the public are involved in the decision making processes

An Integrated Methodology for Enhancing Reverse Logistics Flows and Networks in Industry 5.0

Background: This paper explores the potential of Industry 5.0 in driving societal transition to a circular economy. We focus on the strategic role of reverse logistics in this context, underlining its significance in optimizing resource use, reducing waste, and enhancing sustainable production and consumption patterns. Adopting sustainable industrial practices is critical to addressing global environmental challenges. Industry 5.0 offers opportunities for achieving these goals, particularly through the enhancement of reverse logistics processes. Methods: We propose an integrated methodology that combines binary logistic regression and decision trees to predict and optimize reverse logistics flows and networks within the Industry 5.0 framework. Results: The methodology demonstrates effective quantitative modeling of influential predictors in reverse logistics and provides a structured framework for understanding their interrelations. It yields actionable insights that enhance decision-making processes in supply chain management. Conclusions: The methodology supports the integration of advanced technologies and human-centered approaches into industrial reverse logistics, thereby improving resource sustainability, systemic innovation, and contributing to the broader goals of a circular economy. Future research should explore the scalability of this methodology across different industrial sectors and its integration with other Industry 5.0 technologies. Continuous refinement and adaptation of the methodology will be necessary to keep pace with the evolving landscape of industrial sustainability.<br/

Hydropower Potential for Energy Recovery in Wastewater Systems. Assessment Methodology and Practical Application

Tesis por compendio[ES] Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) plantean un llamamiento global para conseguir la sostenibilidad en aspectos esenciales de la vida humana. El actual consumo de energía para el tratamiento de aguas residuales es muy elevado, y las previsiones apuntan a un incremento de la demanda en la próxima década. En este contexto, resulta necesario aplicar la perspectiva de sostenibilidad, para conseguir de forma simultánea todos los ODS. Un desempeño energético más sostenible de las Estaciones Depuradoras de Aguas Residuales (EDAR) implica acciones en dos líneas, reducir el consumo, y generar energías renovables in situ. Para implantar medidas a corto plazo, es necesario explorar las posibilidades que pueden ofrecer las tecnologías ya maduras, y evaluar su potencial contribución a la descarbonización del sector. La generación de electricidad mediante maquinaria hidráulica aprovechando la energía potencial de los efluentes podría ser una de ellas. El principal objetivo de esta tesis doctoral consiste en desarrollar una metodología, dirigida a los agentes de gobernanza, para evaluar el potencial de generación de energía hidráulica en EDAR, considerando las tres dimensiones de sostenibilidad. De este modo, poder ilustrar las posibilidades de aplicación de esta tecnología, actualmente poco conocida para el sector, que podría contribuir a una gestión más sostenible de las aguas residuales. Las fases desarrolladas incluyeron: 1) Contextualización: Se revisó el estado del arte sobre las necesidades energéticas y las tecnologías para la generación de energía renovable en EDAR. Paralelamente sobre el estado de la tecnología para la recuperación de energía en redes de agua existentes mediante maquinaria hidráulica. Para completar este marco, la revisión se amplió con una búsqueda exhaustiva de casos de estudio reales de aplicación en EDAR. En esta fase se identificaron 49 casos de estudio y se analizó su desempeño energético. Los resultados de esta fase en general demostraron que existe una experiencia real en la aplicación práctica de esta tecnología que no se está utilizando para el desarrollo de todo su potencial en este sector. 2) Desarrollo de la metodología: Se analizaron las metodologías existentes para evaluación del potencial de esta tecnología, y el resultado se comparó con la información obtenida en la contextualización. Como resultado, durante esta tesis se ha desarrollado una metodología con una nueva perspectiva. En primer lugar, se introduce la necesidad de considerar el nivel al que se produce la toma de decisiones, para adaptar el alcance del estudio (un grupo de EDAR). A continuación, la metodología se desarrolla en dos etapas. En la etapa 1 (evaluación técnica) el potencial de generación de energía hidráulica se estima de forma individual para cada EDAR. En la etapa 2 (evaluación global) se propone un método de decisión multicriterio (MCDA) introduciendo criterios de sostenibilidad. La alineación de la metodología con su contexto de aplicación se considera una cuestión clave, de modo que el método propuesto se basa en las directrices del instrumento de gobernanza para aguas residuales en España (Plan DSEAR). 3) Aplicación práctica: Esta fase completa el estudio con la aplicación a un grupo de 186 EDAR de la Comunidad Valenciana (España), con la misma modalidad de financiación. Se estimó una generación de electricidad de 340,472 kWh/año, aunque como hallazgo se observó la posibilidad de que dicho potencial sea mayor. En la etapa 2 se mostró que, cuando los resultados de la etapa 1 se ponen en el contexto de sostenibilidad, se obtiene una nueva perspectiva. Esta investigación demuestra que, en el marco de los ODS, la recuperación de energía hidráulica del agua residual podría ser una opción más en la descarbonización de este sector. Tomando como base esta propuesta, agentes de gobernanza para la gestión de aguas residuales en otro contexto podrían desarrollar metodologías similares adaptadas a su propio entorno.[CA] Els Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible (ODS) plantegen una crida global per a aconseguir la sostenibilitat en aspectes essencials de la vida humana. L'actual consum d'energia per al tractament d'aigües residuals és molt elevat, i les previsions apunten a un increment de la demanda en la dècada vinent. En este context, resulta necessari aplicar la perspectiva de sostenibilitat, per a aconseguir de manera simultània tots els ODS. Un acompliment energètic més sostenible de les Estacions Depuradores d'Aigües Residuals (EDAR) implica accions en dues línies, reduir el consum, i generar energies renovables in situ. Per a implantar mesures a curt termini, és necessari explorar les possibilitats que poden oferir les tecnologies ja madures, i avaluar la seua potencial contribució a la descarbonització del sector. La generació d'electricitat mitjançant maquinària hidràulica aprofitant l'energia potencial dels efluents podria ser una d'elles. El principal objectiu d'esta tesi doctoral consisteix a desenvolupar una metodologia, dirigida als agents de governança, per a avaluar el potencial de generació d'energia hidràulica en EDAR, considerant les tres dimensions de sostenibilitat. D'aquesta manera, poder il·lustrar les possibilitats d'aplicació d'esta tecnologia, actualment poc coneguda per al sector, que podria contribuir a una gestió més sostenible de les aigües residuals. Les fases desenvolupades van incloure: 1) Contextualització: Es va revisar l'estat de l'art sobre les necessitats energètiques i les tecnologies per a la generació d'energia renovable en EDAR. Paral·lelament sobre l'estat de la tecnologia per a la recuperació d'energia en xarxes d'aigua existents mitjançant maquinària hidràulica. Per a completar este marc, la revisió es va ampliar amb una cerca exhaustiva de casos d'estudi reals d'aplicació en EDAR. En esta fase es van identificar 49 casos d'estudi i es va analitzar el seu acompliment energètic. Els resultats d'esta fase en general van demostrar que existeix una experiència real en l'aplicació pràctica d'esta tecnologia que no s'està utilitzant per al desenvolupament de tot el seu potencial en este sector. 2) Desenvolupament de la metodologia: Es van analitzar les metodologies existents per a avaluació del potencial d'esta tecnologia, i el resultat es va comparar amb la informació obtinguda en la contextualització. Com a resultat, durant esta tesi s'ha desenvolupat una metodologia amb una nova perspectiva. En primer lloc, s'introdueix la necessitat de considerar el nivell al qual es produeix la presa de decisions, per a adaptar l'abast de l'estudi (un grup de EDAR). A continuació, la metodologia es desenvolupa en dues etapes. En l'etapa 1 (avaluació tècnica) el potencial de generació d'energia hidràulica s'estima de manera individual per a cada EDAR. En l'etapa 2 (avaluació global) es proposa un mètode de decisió multicriteri (MCDA) introduint criteris de sostenibilitat. L'alineació de la metodologia amb el seu context d'aplicació es considera una qüestió clau, de manera que el mètode proposat es basa en les directrius de l'instrument de governança per a aigües residuals a Espanya (Pla DSEAR). 3) Aplicació pràctica: Esta fase completa l'estudi amb l'aplicació a un grup de 186 EDAR de la Comunitat Valenciana, amb la mateixa modalitat de finançament. Es va estimar una generació d'electricitat de 340,472 kWh/any, encara que com a troballa es va observar la possibilitat que aquest potencial siga major. En l'etapa 2 es va mostrar que, quan els resultats de l'etapa 1 es posen en el context de sostenibilitat, s'obté una nova perspectiva. Esta investigació demostra que, en el marc dels ODS, la recuperació d'energia hidràulica de l'aigua residual podria ser una opció més en la descarbonització d'este sector. Prenent com a base esta proposta, agents de governança per a la gestió d'aigües residuals en un altre context podrien desenvolupar metodologies similars adaptades al seu propi entorn.[EN] The Sustainable Development Goals establish a universal agenda to call for action and achieve sustainability in essential aspects of human life. Nowadays the energy demand for wastewater treatment is very high and it is expected to increase in the next decade. Therefore, the performance of this industry will have an effect on SDG 6, but also on SDG 7 and 13. In this context, it is necessary to apply the sustainability approach to wastewater systems to simultaneously achieve all these goals. More sustainable energy performance of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) implies two parallel steps: a reduction of energy consumption and the implementation of renewable energy technologies. To take action in the short term, existing mature technologies should be explored to evaluate their potential contribution to the decarbonization roadmaps in the wastewater industry. Hydropower might be one of these technologies. The main objective of this thesis is to develop a methodology, addressed to wastewater governance stakeholders, to assess the potential of hydropower application to WWTPs, regarding all three dimensions of sustainability. According to this, the final aim of this study is to illustrate the practical possibilities, usually unknown, that hydropower could offer to the wastewater sector in the pathway towards more sustainable systems. To achieve that aim, the steps in this research included: 1) Contextualization: The review of the state of the art was conducted in two lines. Firstly, about the energy needs for wastewater treatment and technologies for renewable energy generation. Secondly, about hydropower for energy recovery from existing networks. To complete the framework, this stage was extended with an exhaustive search and analysis of real case studies of hydropower applications to WWTPs. In this stage, 49 case studies were identified, and their energy data were extracted to obtain energy self-sufficiency indicators and analyze their renewable energy profiles. Furthermore, the technical data of their hydropower systems were examined. The overall results of this stage showed that there is an existing experience that is not being used to explore hydropower as an option for energy recovery in the wastewater sector. 2) Methodology development: In a preliminary step, existing methodologies for hydropower potential assessment were analyzed and compared with the framework obtained from the contextualization. As a result, a methodology with a broader approach was developed. First, it introduces the consideration of the decision-making level to select the scope of the study (a group of WWTPs). Then, the proposed methodology consists of two steps. In step 1 (technical assessment of hydropower potential) individual power output is estimated for each site. This step was validated with the data obtained during the contextualization. In step 2 (global assessment), after analyzing existing guidelines, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method with sustainability criteria is defined. As the alignment with the context is a key issue introduced in this proposal, this method is based on the guidelines in the wastewater governance instrument in Spain (PDSEAR). 3) Practical application: This stage completes the research with the application of the proposed methodology to a case study, a group of 186 WWTPs in the region of Valencia (Spain), selected according to their management model. The generation was estimated at 340,472 kWh/year, but it was found that the potential could be higher. The results also showed that the perspective may be different, if the outcomes from step 1, are put into context in step 2, with the application of the MCDA method. This research demonstrates that, in a sustainability framework, hydropower might be an interesting option to consider for the decarbonization of wastewater systems. Based on this study, decision-making stakeholders could design their own methodologies, adapted to the specific context.The authors would like to acknowledge grant PID2020–114781RA-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033.Llácer Iglesias, RM. (2023). Hydropower Potential for Energy Recovery in Wastewater Systems. Assessment Methodology and Practical Application [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/201558Compendi