Austria´s New Assessment Method for Remediation Options

Following an extensive literature review, available assessment methods and tools were evalu-ated regarding suitability, transparency and flexibility. A modified Cost-Effectiveness-Analysis (MCEA) was identified as the most appropriate assessment method. Classical CEA are com-monly used in the public sector to identify the most advantageous among different options. Ide-ally, it is the alternative combining least costs with the highest effectiveness in fulfilling specific objectives. Since 2012 the application of the developed assessment tool based on MCEA is mandatory when performing a remediation options appraisal.
In a first step the remediation options to be assessed have to be selected. Based on a pre-screening of potentially applicable technologies (or combinations of technologies), those have to be identified, which have the potential to meet the remediation target. Given this minimum re-quirement, options to be assessed have to be suitable in technical and legal terms, too.
MCEA consists of an effectiveness assessment on the one hand and an assessment of corre-sponding costs on the other hand. Effectiveness assessment displays the effectiveness values of an alternative regarding different objectives. Summing up the weighted values according to the objectives leads to a total effectiveness value for each alternative. The costs of an alternative are assessed in monetary terms. Finally MCEA provides a total effectiveness-cost-ratio for each op-tion enabling a ranking of options.
One major prerequisite to perform an effectiveness assessment when applying MCEA is the definition of a set of objectives or goals to be fulfilled by the different options. Austria’s rele-vant stakeholders in contaminated site management have been involved in a process resulted in a hierarchical system of goals consisting several levels. The goals of the uppermost level ('overall objectives") and their weighting were derived from national laws, guidelines and other relevant documents:
- Objective 1: 'Ecology" (Weight 60 %): Maximizing the ecological benefit,
- Objective 2: 'Local Development" (Weight 20 %): Improving the framing conditions for local development and
- Objective 3: 'Project Stability" (Weight 20 %): Maximizing further aspects (in addition to ecology, economy and local development) of sustainability.

 

 

 

Stand der Pumpspeicher in Deutschland 2025
© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH (12/2025)
Infolge des Ausbaus der Stromerzeugung aus erneuerbaren Energien ist ein erhöhter Speicherbedarf im Stromverbundnetz notwendig. Hierdurch steigt die Bedeutung von Pumpspeichern als bis auf weiteres einzige Möglichkeit für eine großmaßstäbliche Stromspeicherung.

Pumpspeicherkraftwerke - Empfehlungen zur Verkuerzung und Vereinfachung von Genehmigungsverfahren in Deutschland
© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH (12/2025)
Die Genehmigungsverfahren sind sehr komplex sowie mit hohen Kosten und rechtlichen Unsicherheiten verbunden und dauern oftmals mehr als zehn Jahre.

Revitalisierung des Pumpspeicherwerks Happurg - Sanierung des Oberbeckens
© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH (12/2025)
Im Rahmen der Revitalisierung des Pumpspeicherwerks Happurg haben im September 2024 auch die Arbeiten zur Sanierung des zugehörigen Oberbeckens begonnen.

 

 | Datenschutz 

 | Impressum