Reframing the Selection of Hydraulic Turbines Integrating Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy VIKOR Multi-Criteria Methods

Rudimar Caricimi, Géremi Gilson Dranka, Dalmarino Setti and Paula Ferreira ()
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Rudimar Caricimi: Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program (PPGEPS), Federal University of Technology—Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco 85503-390, Brazil
Géremi Gilson Dranka: Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Technology—Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco 85503-390, Brazil
Dalmarino Setti: Industrial and Systems Engineering Graduate Program (PPGEPS), Federal University of Technology—Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco 85503-390, Brazil
Paula Ferreira: ALGORITMI Research Center/LASI, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-26

Abstract: Before selecting a proper hydraulic turbine for power generation, conflicting factors frequently emerge from the wide range of available technology alternatives. The preliminary selection of hydraulic turbines (PSHT) has been usually carried out by overlooking and/or overshadowing downstream and upstream processes. The development of a new conceptual framework that allows for including more parameters into the decision-making process at company levels is still required to avoid the danger of engaging in a one-dimensional approach, which would not only result in a reduced and simplistic vision of the choice but would also overlook the trade-offs between individual aspects and the possible unintended side-effects. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for the PSHT by proposing a well-thought-out framework based on a mixed methodology approach (analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy-VIKOR multi-criteria methods) and focused on small hydropower projects. A total of 16 criteria are proposed and divided into 4 main categories—(i) turbine performance, (ii) turbine and generator costs, (iii) other equipment costs, and (iv) civil costs. Findings reported here reveal a specific alignment between investors’ preferences and experts’ judgments with real market practices. The 16 proposed criteria can be further considered to support the decision-making process for PSHT in different head and flow conditions.

Keywords: hydraulic turbines; multi-criteria decision making (MCDM); renewable energy; small hydropower plant (SHP); analytic hierarchy process (AHP); fuzzy-VIKOR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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