A novel integrated decision-making approach for the evaluation and selection of renewable energy technologies

The decision-making in energy sector involves finding a set of energy sources and conversion devices to meet the energy demands in an optimal way. Making an energy planning decision involves the balancing of diverse ecological, social, technical and economic aspects across space and time. Usually, technical and environmental aspects are represented in the form of multiple criteria and indicators that are often expressed as conflicting objectives. In order to attain higher efficiency in the implementation of renewable energy (RE) systems, the developers and investors have to deploy multi-criteria decision-making techniques. In this paper, a novel hybrid Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory and analytic network process (DEMATEL-ANP) model is proposed in order to stress the importance of the evaluation criteria when selecting alternative REs and the causal relationships between the criteria. Finally, complex proportional assessment and weighted aggregated sum product assessment methods are used to assess the performances of the REs with respect to different evaluating criteria. An illustrative example from Costs assessment of sustainable energy systems (CASES) project, financed by European Commission Framework 6 programme (EU FM 6) for EU member states is presented in order to demonstrate the application feasibility of the proposed model for the comparative assessment and ranking of RE technologies. Sensitivity analysis, result validation and critical outcomes are provided as well to offer guidelines for the policy makers in the selection of the best alternative RE with the maximum effectiveness.