Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in Ghana
Waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies play a crucial role in sustainable waste management and energy production. Decision-making in this context requires a comprehensive and structured approach to balance the environmental, socio-economic, and technical dimensions. This systematic literature review aim...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | Heliyon |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025007339 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1825199455723323392 |
|---|---|
| author | Theophilus Frimpong Adu Lena Dzifa Mensah Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm Rockson Francis Kemausuor |
| author_facet | Theophilus Frimpong Adu Lena Dzifa Mensah Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm Rockson Francis Kemausuor |
| author_sort | Theophilus Frimpong Adu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies play a crucial role in sustainable waste management and energy production. Decision-making in this context requires a comprehensive and structured approach to balance the environmental, socio-economic, and technical dimensions. This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of the applications of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in the field of WtE, identify key trends, and outline future research directions. The study utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach in analyzing and synthesizing a diverse range of studies to identify key observations, trends, and a pathway for future research. The study has addressed its primary objectives through a rigorous analysis of existing scholarship, identification of essential decision-making criteria, assessment of DSS methodologies’ efficacy, and identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions. The review reveals that DSS methodologies, particularly Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), have significantly contributed to enhancing decision-making processes in the WtE sector globally. These tools have demonstrated their effectiveness in handling the complex, multi-faceted nature of WtE technology selection and implementation, addressing issues ranging from site selection to technology ranking based on multiple criteria. The research identifies key criteria for WtE technology selection in Ghana, including technical feasibility, environmental impact, economic viability, social acceptability, and energy efficiency. The study also highlights significant gaps in the current application of DSS to WtE technologies, particularly in the context of developing nations like Ghana. Many existing DSS approaches fail to adequately account for local socio-economic factors, rely on static data, and do not fully incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives. Adapting global DSS applications to the Ghanaian context requires careful consideration of local priorities, data availability, and the role of the informal waste sector. The review proposes a holistic approach to DSS development, emphasizing the need for context-specific, dynamic, and inclusive methodologies. Future research directions identified by this study include the development of Ghana-specific DSS models, integration of real-time data collection methodologies, creation of user-friendly interfaces for local decision-makers, and exploration of emerging technologies such as blockchain and IoT or Machine learning (ML) for enhancing DSS in WtE management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7c44215ddb6487ab20fcbdb72945553 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj-art-d7c44215ddb6487ab20fcbdb729455532025-02-08T05:00:43ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-02-01113e42353Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in GhanaTheophilus Frimpong Adu0Lena Dzifa Mensah1Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm Rockson2Francis Kemausuor3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Renewable Energy Technology, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana; Energy Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Corresponding author. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaEnergy Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaWaste-to-energy (WtE) technologies play a crucial role in sustainable waste management and energy production. Decision-making in this context requires a comprehensive and structured approach to balance the environmental, socio-economic, and technical dimensions. This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of the applications of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in the field of WtE, identify key trends, and outline future research directions. The study utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach in analyzing and synthesizing a diverse range of studies to identify key observations, trends, and a pathway for future research. The study has addressed its primary objectives through a rigorous analysis of existing scholarship, identification of essential decision-making criteria, assessment of DSS methodologies’ efficacy, and identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions. The review reveals that DSS methodologies, particularly Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), have significantly contributed to enhancing decision-making processes in the WtE sector globally. These tools have demonstrated their effectiveness in handling the complex, multi-faceted nature of WtE technology selection and implementation, addressing issues ranging from site selection to technology ranking based on multiple criteria. The research identifies key criteria for WtE technology selection in Ghana, including technical feasibility, environmental impact, economic viability, social acceptability, and energy efficiency. The study also highlights significant gaps in the current application of DSS to WtE technologies, particularly in the context of developing nations like Ghana. Many existing DSS approaches fail to adequately account for local socio-economic factors, rely on static data, and do not fully incorporate diverse stakeholder perspectives. Adapting global DSS applications to the Ghanaian context requires careful consideration of local priorities, data availability, and the role of the informal waste sector. The review proposes a holistic approach to DSS development, emphasizing the need for context-specific, dynamic, and inclusive methodologies. Future research directions identified by this study include the development of Ghana-specific DSS models, integration of real-time data collection methodologies, creation of user-friendly interfaces for local decision-makers, and exploration of emerging technologies such as blockchain and IoT or Machine learning (ML) for enhancing DSS in WtE management.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025007339Waste-to-energy technologiesMulti-criteria decision analysisGeographic information systemsCircular economyEnvironmental sustainability |
| spellingShingle | Theophilus Frimpong Adu Lena Dzifa Mensah Mizpah Ama Dziedzorm Rockson Francis Kemausuor Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in Ghana Heliyon Waste-to-energy technologies Multi-criteria decision analysis Geographic information systems Circular economy Environmental sustainability |
| title | Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in Ghana |
| title_full | Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in Ghana |
| title_short | Decision support systems for waste-to-energy technologies: A systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in Ghana |
| title_sort | decision support systems for waste to energy technologies a systematic literature review of methods and future directions for sustainable implementation in ghana |
| topic | Waste-to-energy technologies Multi-criteria decision analysis Geographic information systems Circular economy Environmental sustainability |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025007339 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT theophilusfrimpongadu decisionsupportsystemsforwastetoenergytechnologiesasystematicliteraturereviewofmethodsandfuturedirectionsforsustainableimplementationinghana AT lenadzifamensah decisionsupportsystemsforwastetoenergytechnologiesasystematicliteraturereviewofmethodsandfuturedirectionsforsustainableimplementationinghana AT mizpahamadziedzormrockson decisionsupportsystemsforwastetoenergytechnologiesasystematicliteraturereviewofmethodsandfuturedirectionsforsustainableimplementationinghana AT franciskemausuor decisionsupportsystemsforwastetoenergytechnologiesasystematicliteraturereviewofmethodsandfuturedirectionsforsustainableimplementationinghana |