Relative Aggregate Footprint (RAF) is a multi-attribute indicator that allows assessing the performance of different energy sources based on multiple environmental, technical and socio-economic criteria. Here, we used this indicator to determine low-impact energy options for Southeastern United States where energy production with low-cost, but high footprint technologies is common. To advise transition to low-impact energy production, we used the RAF-MPT (RAF-Modern Portfolio Theory) approach that determines the overall RAF of energy mixes together with their risk of achievement. This approach generates a range of portfolios to help decision makers balance the RAF and risk of feasible portfolios. The results suggest that although high footprint energies can reduce the portfolio cost, they increase the risk of portfolios. This can be balanced by adding renewable energies to the mix to trade risk with cost and achieve a more desirable portfolio. For example, in South Carolina and Florida where the main energy sources are nuclear and natural gas; having as low as %10 low-impact renewable energies in the energy mix can ensure a low-risk portfolio without significantly increasing the overall portfolio costs.

Using the Relative Aggregate Footprint of Energies to Find Low-Impact Energy Portfolios in Southeastern United States

Created in 1999, the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is the recognized leader within ASCE for the integration of technical expertise and public policy in the planning, design, construction, and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land and water resources.

[Paper Proceedings](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483466)