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Article

Evaluation of Technological Alternatives for the Energy Transition of Coal-Fired Power Plants, with a Multi-Criteria Approach

by
Jessica Valeria Lugo
1,2,
Norah Nadia Sánchez Torres
1,2,
Renan Douglas Lopes da Silva Cavalcante
3,
Taynara Geysa Silva do Lago
4,
João Alves de Lima
3,
Jorge Javier Gimenez Ledesma
1,2 and
Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior
1,4,*
1
Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Energy & Sustainability (PPGIES), Federal University of Latin American Integration—UNILA, Foz do Iguaçu 85867-000, PR, Brazil
2
Research Group on Energy & Energy Sustainability (GPEnSE), Academic Unit of Cabo de Santo Agostinho (UACSA), Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Cabo de Santo Agostinho 54518-430, PE, Brazil
3
Postgraduate Program in Mechanical Engineering (PPGEM), Center of Technology (CT), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
4
Center for Alternative and Renewable Research (CEAR), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, PB, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Energies 2025, 18(17), 4473; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174473
Submission received: 19 June 2025 / Revised: 21 July 2025 / Accepted: 7 August 2025 / Published: 22 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Conversion Technologies Based on Energy Physics)
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Abstract

This paper investigates technological pathways for the conversion of coal-fired power plants toward sustainable energy sources, using an integrated multi-criteria decision-making approach that combines Proknow-C, AHP, and PROMETHEE. Eight alternatives were identified: full conversion to natural gas, full conversion to biomass, coal and natural gas hybridization, coal and biomass hybridization, electricity and hydrogen cogeneration, coal and solar energy hybridization, post-combustion carbon capture systems, and decommissioning with subsequent reuse. The analysis combined bibliographic data (26 scientific articles and 13 patents) with surveys from 14 energy experts, using Total Decision version 1.2.1041.0 and Visual PROMETHEE version 1.1.0.0 software tools. Based on six criteria (environmental, structural, technical, technological, economic, and social), the most viable option was full conversion to natural gas (ϕ = +0.0368), followed by coal and natural gas hybridization (ϕ = +0.0257), and coal and solar hybridization (ϕ = +0.0124). These alternatives emerged as the most balanced in terms of emissions reduction, infrastructure reuse, and cost efficiency. In contrast, decommissioning (ϕ = −0.0578) and carbon capture systems (ϕ = −0.0196) were less favorable. This study proposes a structured framework for strategic energy planning that supports a just energy transition and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13, highlighting the need for public policies that enhance the competitiveness and scalability of sustainable alternatives.
Keywords: AHP; decarbonization; energy transition; multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM); Proknow-C methodology; PROMETHEE; coal-fired power plants; sustainable energy planning AHP; decarbonization; energy transition; multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM); Proknow-C methodology; PROMETHEE; coal-fired power plants; sustainable energy planning

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MDPI and ACS Style

Lugo, J.V.; Torres, N.N.S.; Cavalcante, R.D.L.d.S.; Lago, T.G.S.d.; Lima, J.A.d.; Ledesma, J.J.G.; Ando Junior, O.H. Evaluation of Technological Alternatives for the Energy Transition of Coal-Fired Power Plants, with a Multi-Criteria Approach. Energies 2025, 18, 4473. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174473

AMA Style

Lugo JV, Torres NNS, Cavalcante RDLdS, Lago TGSd, Lima JAd, Ledesma JJG, Ando Junior OH. Evaluation of Technological Alternatives for the Energy Transition of Coal-Fired Power Plants, with a Multi-Criteria Approach. Energies. 2025; 18(17):4473. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174473

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lugo, Jessica Valeria, Norah Nadia Sánchez Torres, Renan Douglas Lopes da Silva Cavalcante, Taynara Geysa Silva do Lago, João Alves de Lima, Jorge Javier Gimenez Ledesma, and Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior. 2025. "Evaluation of Technological Alternatives for the Energy Transition of Coal-Fired Power Plants, with a Multi-Criteria Approach" Energies 18, no. 17: 4473. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174473

APA Style

Lugo, J. V., Torres, N. N. S., Cavalcante, R. D. L. d. S., Lago, T. G. S. d., Lima, J. A. d., Ledesma, J. J. G., & Ando Junior, O. H. (2025). Evaluation of Technological Alternatives for the Energy Transition of Coal-Fired Power Plants, with a Multi-Criteria Approach. Energies, 18(17), 4473. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18174473

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