Fuzzy TOPSIS for Ranking Wave Energy Converters

Abstract

Wave energy is one of the most promising clean and renewable sources of energy, particularly in coastal countries. Both of governmental and researchers interests in this field have resulted in developing several designs for wave energy converters (WECs). Generally, a WEC is a device that converts the kinetic and potential energy associated with wave motion into a beneficial mechanical or electrical energy. Typically, those developed WECs have different working principles, cost of installation, maintenance requirements as well as different impacts on environment. Considering the selection of a particular converter to be implemented in a definite scenario, it is critical to have a model to support the decision making process. In this paper, a multi-criteria decision making model is developed for this purpose. The provided model is capable of ranking the most popular WECs such as Point Absorber Converters, Attenuator Converters, Terminator Converters, Multi-Degrees of Freedom (MDF) Converters, Floating Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Converters, Fixed OWC Converters, Floating Overtopping Converters, and Fixed Overtopping Converters. In this context, the uncertainties associated with vague data and reliance on linguistic assessment in rating alternatives with respect to different criteria, it is essential to consider using the fuzzy approach in model development. Accordingly, this research relies on employing fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The developed fuzzy TOPSIS decision making model accounts for different assessment criteria and evaluates different design alternatives against each criterion and accordingly provides the decision maker with an overall ranking for the different considered WECs.