A fuzzy-TOPSIS approach for techno-economic viability of lighting energy efficiency measure in public building projects

Abstract

Retrofitting technologies have helped to manage energy consumptions in residential, public and industrial buildings. However, understanding of the technical and economic considerations for selection of appropriate retrofitting technology is still evolving and divergent. Thus, this study presents a framework that combines techno-economic requirements as a means for evaluating the important retrofitting criteria and suitable lighting retrofit technologies for building projects. The framework is hinged on the unique features of entropy fuzzy and TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) methods. The analysis of the lighting technology selection was performed from technical, economic and techno-economic perspectives. During the application of the proposed framework, four lighting technologies (CFL, T5, E-ballast and T8-electronic) and nine techno-economic criteria were considered. The most and least important techno-economic criteria for the case study were net present value and electricity saved, respectively. The least and most suitable retrofitting technologies were T8-electronic and CFL, respectively, from techno-economic perspective. T5 and T8-electronic were identified as the most suitable lighting technologies from an economic and technical perspectives, respectively. This discrepancy in the results justified the need for the techno-economic approach for the retrofitting technologies evaluation.

A Novel Extension of the TOPSIS Method Adapted for the Use of Single-Valued Neutrosophic Sets and Hamming Distance for E-Commerce Development Strategies Selection

“…To solve a broader range of problems when problems are related to uncertainties, ambiguities, and vagueness, the TOPSIS method has a proper extension based on the application of fuzzy, intuitionistic, grey, and neutrosophic numbers to be able to cope with these problems. To date, the TOPSIS method has been applied to solving many cases, often in combination with other techniques, some of which are as follows: the application of TOPSIS when deciding on a discipline, course, and university [24]; the application of entropy TOPSIS-F for the performance assessment of green suppliers [25]; the evaluation of solar power technologies based on the application of the intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS [26]; hotel evaluation and selection based on the modified TOPSIS decision support algorithm [27]; the evaluation of the sustainable energy planning strategies based on the SWOT-AHP method and Fuzzy TOPSIS method [28]; supplier evaluation and selection based on the green innovation ability based on the BWM and fuzzy TOPSIS [29]; website assessment by employing the interval type-2 fuzzy number TOPSIS approach [30]; assessment in civil engineering [31][32][33]; evaluation and selection of personnel [34][35][36][37]; and so on.…”