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A novel MCDM model for prioritizing the renewable power plants’ construction

Fatima Sedady (Semnan University, Semnan, Islamic Republic of Iran)
Mohammad Ali Beheshtinia (Semnan University, Semnan, Islamic Republic of Iran)

Management of Environmental Quality

ISSN: 1477-7835

Article publication date: 30 August 2018

Issue publication date: 22 February 2019

258

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique to determine the priority of renewable power plants construction conceding technical, economic, social, political and environmental aspects.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a comprehensive set of 5 main criteria of technical, economic, social, political and environmental are considered for renewable power plants construction, each including 5 sub-criteria (a total of 25 sub-criteria). Then, the analytic hierarchy process method is used to determine the weight of the criteria. Finally, a new MCDM technique proposed to prioritize the construction of renewable power plants, named TOPKOR. To demonstrate the capability of the proposed method, a case study is conducted in which six types of renewable power plants are evaluated.

Findings

Comparison results of the main criteria weights show that the “economic” [0.403], “environmental” [0.296] and “technical” [0.17] aspects have the highest importance, respectively. The results also show that solar, hydroelectric and wave and tidal power plants have the highest priority for construction, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The result of this research could be useful for related decision makers in construction of the renewable power plants to have a comprehensive set of criteria in technical, economic, social, political and environmental aspects in their decision process.

Originality/value

This research provides a comprehensive set of criteria and sub-criteria for prioritizing the renewable power plants. Moreover, a new hybrid MCDM technique is introduced for prioritizing the construction of power plants.

Keywords

Citation

Sedady, F. and Beheshtinia, M.A. (2019), "A novel MCDM model for prioritizing the renewable power plants’ construction", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 30 No. 2, pp. 383-399. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-05-2018-0102

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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