Selection of biomass thermochemical conversion technology in the Netherlands: A best worst method approach

This paper studies the technology battle for biomass conversion in the Netherlands. Three types of technologies are currently fighting the battle for standard dominance: combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification. Twelve relevant factors for standard dominance were found: 'financial strength', 'operational supremacy', 'learning orientation', 'technological superiority', 'compatibility', 'flexibility', 'pricing strategy', 'distribution strategy', 'previous installed base', 'regulator', 'effectiveness of the format development process', and 'network of stakeholders'. Applying expert opinions and the Best-Worst Method (BWM), the relative importance (weights) of these factors were calculated. The weights were then used to evaluate and rank the technologies. The results show that biomass gasification has the highest chance of achieving standard dominance and that technological superiority is the most important factor affecting standard success. The weights per factor were explained and theoretical contributions and areas for future research were discussed. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.