Solving a Multiple User Energy Source Selection Problem Using a Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Group Decision-Making Approach

Abstract

In recent years, the evaluation of several energy sources is an extremely significant issue that affects socio-environmental development and techno-economic growth in different sectors. To tackle this concern, many researchers have concentrated on preferring desirable energy sources and adopting multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) approaches for only a single type of user (e.g., agricultural, industrial, tourism, or domestic users). However, every energy user plays an important role in shaping energy policy. In fact, for sustainable energy, it is important to include all main energy users at the same time in energy decision-making. The main objective of this work was to propose a fuzzy MCGDM approach to evaluate and prioritize energy sources in Tunisia from various sectors’ point of views. Many criteria are combined, including the following: technical, economic, social, political and environmental. After applying the fuzzy Delphi method, the proposed approach consists of applying a fuzzy TOPSIS method as a multi-criteria approach. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the results of the proposed approach and to study how the optimal solution is affected by the objective function coefficients.

Belief reliability index determination method based on group decision‐making

“…Therefore, the Delphi method is widely used in many fields. 55,56 Wang et al 57 proposed a Delphi method considering epistemic uncertainty that combined the traditional Delphi method with the uncertainty statistics to determine the empirical uncertainty distribution. This method feeds back group responses in a structured way.…”

“…However, as a typical group decision‐making method, the Delphi method is easy to use with the advantage of integrating different opinions. Therefore, the Delphi method is widely used in many fields 55,56 . Wang et al 57 .…”