Distributed energy system for sustainability transition : a comprehensive assessment under uncertainties based on interval multi-criteria decision making method by coupling interval DEMATEL and interval VIKOR

Abstract

Distributed energy system (DES) has been recognized as a promising solution for energy security improvement and emissions mitigation all over the world. However, there are usually various DES configurations with different performances, and it is usually difficult for the decision-makers to select the most sustainable DES solution among multiple choices. This study aims to develop a comprehensive a framework for sustainability prioritization of distributed energy systems under data uncertainties. An interval multi-criteria decision making method which can address data uncertainties was developed by combining the interval Decision Making Trail and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and the interval VIKOR method. Four distributed energy systems including gas turbine system, fuel cell system, photovoltaic system, and internal combustion engine system were studied by the proposed method, and photovoltaic system has been recognized as the most sustainable scenario, following by fuel cell system, gas turbine system, and internal combustion engine system in the descending order. In order to investigate the effects of the weights on the final sustainability ranking of the four distributed energy systems, sensitivity analysis was carried out, and the results reveal that the weights of the criteria have significant impacts on the sustainability rankings of these four distributed energy systems.