Applying analytic hierarchy process to industrial process design in a Nuclear Renewable Hybrid Energy System

Abstract

Nuclear Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems (NRHESs) co-locate a nuclear power plant with a renewable power generation source, such as solar or wind, with an industrial process(es), and can include a battery for energy storage and a fossil fuel power plant. By co-locating these various components, the nuclear-generated power can be directed to the industrial process when demand is low or renewable generation is high, as well as toward meeting grid demand when needed. This paper will apply the risk assessment and management technique of the fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to an NRHES. The goal is to develop a method of evaluating industrial components in preliminary NRHES design. Criteria selected in this study within which each process is assessed are profitability, flexible operation, and safety. Based on this, the fuzzy AHP approach determined desalination to be the strongest candidate based on system definition and related assumptions. Additional studies can be undertaken using this approach for more in depth analysis of NRHES design. With no NRHESs currently deployed, fuzzy AHP can offer a useful decision-making tool.