A Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Energy Systems: A Comparative Analysis of Pakistan, European Union and USA

Abstract

Sustainable energy infrastructure relies on the adoption of advanced low carbon and affordable technologies. In developing countries like Pakistan, sustainability of the energy system has become a challenge because of the gap between electricity demand and supply, inefficient energy generation, dependence on carbon- intensive technologies, low electrification rate and increased effects of climate change. Measuring the sustainability of energy systems is vital to ascertain the level of sustainability, innovativeness and the reliability. Various studies have proposed indices for measuring the sustainability of energy systems. Rarely can any index boast of providing a comprehensive framework for measuring all aspects of sustainability. This study has reviewed the existing indices and developed a framework based on strengths and weaknesses of the existing indices. The framework has divided the sustainability into four main segments with further division into thirteen sub-segments which consist of forty-nine indicators. Later, we have applied the newly proposed framework to comparatively measure the sustainability level of energy system in Pakistan, USA and European Union. The results provide a vital input to the policy makers to focus on critical areas for enhancing the sustainability of energy systems in developing countries.

Keywords: Energy systems, national energy policy, sustainability assessment framework.