Multi-criteria evaluation of renewable energy technologies for electricity generation: A case study in Khuzestan province, Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate and develop a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method for ranking renewable power generation technologies (i.e., solar photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, anaerobic digestion, direct combustion, and wind energy). Fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method was used to solve the problems resulting from multiple and conflicting factors to select different sources of electricity generation. The weights of criteria, and alternatives were determined based on the fuzzy analytic hierarchical process method. The method was used as a case study to determine the best alternative for renewable electricity generation in Khuzestan province, Iran. Based on the results, fuzzy multi-criteria decision making method is a powerful tool for determining important criteria in selecting renewable sources and ranking related technologies for electricity generation. Renewable energy source potential, electricity cost, operation and maintenance costs and technology maturity are the most important factors in prioritizing renewable energy in Kuzestane province, respectively. Based on the results of fuzzy hierarchical analysis process, solar photovoltaic, followed by concentrated solar power are the top priorities for renewable electricity generation in Khuzestan province. Sensitivity analysis shows that the improvement of concentrated solar power technology in the future will lead to the superiority of this technology over other alternatives.