Selection of alternative energy sources by using a multicriteria analysis for distributed generation system management: the AHP method and the fuzzy logic

摘要

This paper presents a methodology for renewable energy sources selection according to the evaluation of the main operational characteristics related with social, economic and environmental aspects. Accordingly, the proposed methodology taking as basis the theory developed by Saaty in the AHP method and multi-rules-based decision and multi-sets considerations applied in the fuzzy logic. By exploiting a multi-criteria decision making, this methodology evaluates the most important energy technologies that make use of renewable primary resources, such as - wind generators, microturbines, photovoltaic cells and fuel cells. For the purpose of the study, these technologies are evaluated with the intention to find the most appropriate renewable energy system for different scenarios, according to the selected criteria, namely: efficiency, costs, technical maturity, environmental impacts, power application range and lifecycle. In conclusion, it is presented a comparison of the final results – renewable energy sources ranking - achieved by the fuzzy logic and the AHP method for environment impacts and costs scenarios.