Threefold Sustainable Neighborhood Energy Systems: Depicting Social Criteria in Decision Support Systems

Despite the consensus that considering social factors is as important as economic and environmental dimensions for long-term successful, sustainable energy development projects, there is a lack of quantifiable assessments in multi-energy simulation decision support systems. Therefore, we applied a design science research approach to develop an energy system simulator that includes all three dimensions of sustainability. Based on a rigorous literature review and expert interviews, we establish a framework for assessing social sustainability. We then implement the derived criteria and indicators in the open-access software NESSI and validate it in an applicability check for a Madagasi neighborhood. With our framework, we aim to provide guidance to researchers and stakeholders on incorporating the social sustainability dimension into their approaches, tools, and decision-making process. The user-friendly, web-based simulation software enables various stakeholders to explore the interrelationships of threefold sustainability in specific energy systems