Multi-criteria Decision Analysis Methods for Sustainability Assessment and Improvement of Energy Systems Under Uncertainties

Abstract

As one of the purposes to conduct sustainability assessment of energy systems, providing information on improving system sustainability for decision-makers is crucial. However, the existing literature fails to provide comprehensive information to improve the sustainability from both short-term and long-term perspectives while considering the uncertainties existing in decision-making process. In order to narrow the research gap, the methodological framework for sustainability assessment of energy systems was established by integrating an improved hierarchical fuzzy Best–Worst Method (BWM), fuzzy Decision-making and Trial Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method and fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. In which, the improved hierarchical fuzzy BWM was used to obtain the weights of the criteria, and further to provide the short-term information of improving the sustainability. While the cause-effect relationships among criteria were captured by using the fuzzy DEMATEL method to provide information for the long-term improvement of the system sustainability. The priorities of energy systems were finally acquired by using the fuzzy TOPSIS method. And the validity of the sustainability assessment framework of energy systems was verified using a case study of five combined cooling, heating, and power systems.