Direct-Use Geothermal Energy Location Multi-Criteria Planning for On-Site Energy Security in Emergencies: A Case Study of Malaysia

Minh-Tai Le (), Nhat-Luong Nhieu () and Thuy-Duong Thi Pham
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Minh-Tai Le: Department of Industrial Systems Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, Ho Chi Minh City 71307, Vietnam
Nhat-Luong Nhieu: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 807778, Taiwan
Thuy-Duong Thi Pham: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 807778, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-21

Abstract: Geothermal potential is a significant advantage in terms of renewable energy for countries located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Studies on geothermal energy sources show that Malaysia is one of the countries possessing this inexhaustible and stable energy source. This on-site energy source is a promising solution to the problem of energy security during emergencies where the energy supply chain is disrupted. To exploit this advantage, this study proposes a novel tri-layer framework to prioritize locations for direct-use geothermal energy location (DGL) in Malaysia. First, the proposed locations are screened for feasibility to limit the impact on other natural conservation areas and stable residential areas. In the second layer, locations are evaluated for efficiency using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model based on quantitative indicators. In the third layer, the spherical fuzzy extended combination of the analytic hierarchy process (SF AHP) and the combined compromise solution (SF CoCoSo) methods are introduced and applied to prioritize high-efficiency locations. According to the findings, costs, social acceptance, and noise impacts are the qualitative criteria of most concern for DGLs. Through the tri-layer framework, the suggested concordant locations for DGLs in Malaysia are Marudi of Sarawak, Tawau of Sabah, Serian of Sarawak, and Jeram of Selangor.

Keywords: geothermal energy; site selection; multiple criteria decision making; data envelopment analysis; fuzzy sets; spherical fuzzy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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