Comprehensive Methods for Dealing with Uncertainty in Assessing Sustainability Part 1

2015 ◽  
pp. 69-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pilar de la Cruz ◽  
Alberto Castro ◽  
Alfredo del Caño ◽  
Diego Gómez ◽  
Manuel Lara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Value Functions ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation Technique ◽  
Project Sustainability ◽  
Objective Uncertainty ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Integrated Value Method for Sustainability Evaluation (MIVES) is a deterministic method based on requirement trees, value functions, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. It allows integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators in a global index. The value functions make it possible to consider non-linearity in the assessment. MIVES takes into account the relative weight of the various model indicators. Deterministic models can cause significant problems in terms of adequately managing project sustainability. A method not only has to estimate the sustainability index at the end of the project. It also has to evaluate the degree of uncertainty that may make it difficult to achieve the sustainability objective. Uncertainty can affect indicators, weights, and value function shapes. This chapter presents a method for sustainability assessment, taking into account uncertainty. It is based on MIVES and the Monte Carlo simulation technique. An example of potential application is proposed, related to power plants.

Comprehensive Methods for Dealing with Uncertainty in Assessing Sustainability Part 2

2015 ◽  
pp. 107-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pilar de la Cruz ◽  
Alberto Castro ◽  
Alfredo del Caño ◽  
Diego Gómez ◽  
Manuel Lara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Fuzzy Arithmetic ◽  
Value Functions ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Sustainability Index ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
Hierarchy Process

In the previous chapter, the MIVES and MIVES – Monte Carlo methods were presented. MIVES is based on requirement trees, value functions, and the analytic hierarchy process. It helps integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators in a global sustainability index. Deterministic models can cause significant problems in terms of adequately managing the sustainability objective of a project. A method not only has to estimate the potential sustainability index at the end of the project. It also has to evaluate the degree of uncertainty that may make it difficult to achieve the sustainability objective. The MIVES – Monte Carlo method employs simulation to solve this problem. This chapter presents an alternative method, based on MIVES and fuzzy arithmetic. Different defuzzification parameters are proposed. An example of potential application related to heating and air conditioning systems in residential buildings is put forward. The advantages and drawbacks of using both methods are summarized.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Sedady ◽  
Mohammad Ali Beheshtinia
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Tidal Power ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Renewable Power ◽  
Comparison Results ◽  
Criteria Weights ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy Process Method ◽  
Hierarchy Process

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.

Environmental sustainability of facilities management

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-276
Author(s):  
Nimesha Sahani Jayasena ◽  
Harshini Mallawaarachchi ◽  
Lalith De Silva
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Apparel Industry ◽  
Sustainability Indicators ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Purpose Rapid changes in the environment escalate the requirement of environmental sustainability assessment within built environment. The purpose of this paper is to model the environmental sustainability of facilities management (FM) functions in apparel industry in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was carried out in order to identify the importance of sustainability assessment for FM, sustainable FM functions and their environmental sustainability indicators. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was carried out to determine a relative weight of the sustainable FM functions and environmental sustainability indicators through the analytical hierarchy process analysis. Findings Energy management was identified as the most significant FM function in terms of environmental sustainability in apparel industry with a relative performance of 49.12 per cent. Subsequently, the functions of water management (29.39 per cent), maintenance management (11.98 per cent) and waste management (9.64 per cent) obtained the second, third and fourth ranks while asset management (7.85 per cent) was the function which had the least performance score. Relative weights for the environmental sustainability indicators were also determined. Research limitations/implications In respect of the apparel industry, the developed model can be utilised for assessing the environmental sustainability of FM in broader term. Originality/value No proper mechanism was found to assess the sustainability of FM in apparel sector since very fewer research studies were focussed on achieving environmental sustainability in different industries. Hence, the assessment of environmental sustainability of FM in apparel industry is an emerging necessity in the present day, which was addressed in this research.

scholarly journals Modifiable Campus-Wide Appraisal Model (MOCAM) for Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf A. Adenle ◽  
Edwin H. W. Chan ◽  
Yi Sun ◽  
C.K. Chau
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Campus Sustainability ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Sustainability Assessment Tools ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Institutions of higher education across the globe have commenced the appraisal of their sustainability performance via the utilization of various existing campus sustainability assessment tools. A comprehensive review of these existing tools reveals insufficient utilization of weighting methods and theoretical approaches that allow for the monitoring, review, and enhancement of the appraisal process and tools. Social media and spatial-based indicators usage are also deficient in the existing tools. This paper addresses these research gaps and develops a Modifiable Campus-wide Appraisal Model (MOCAM) for a comprehensive spatial-based information and assessment framework for policymakers, local authorities, and campus planners in countries with unknown campus sustainability status. In this model, the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) approach was utilized to identify environmental-dimension indicators with campus-wide and spatial-based attributes. The Twitter social media platform, Elastic stack, and Python Library were used for the extraction and analysis of local stakeholders’ user-generated content for the identification of localized indicators. The analytic hierarchy process was used for the determination and analysis of the attribute level of importance and weights. The model also broadens the application of symbolic interactionism by translating it from the predominant field of social science to sustainable campus appraisal.

scholarly journals Wind Energy Development in India and a Methodology for Evaluating Performance of Wind Farm Clusters

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev H. Kulkarni ◽  
Tumkur Ramakrishnarao Anil ◽  
Rajakumar Dyamenally Gowdar
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Pairwise Comparison ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Indian State ◽  
Wind Energy Development ◽  
Hierarchy Process

With maturity of advanced technologies and urgent requirement for maintaining a healthy environment with reasonable price, India is moving towards a trend of generating electricity from renewable resources. Wind energy production, with its relatively safer and positive environmental characteristics, has evolved from a marginal activity into a multibillion dollar industry today. Wind energy power plants, also known as wind farms, comprise multiple wind turbines. Though there are several wind-mill clusters producing energy in different geographical locations across the world, evaluating their performance is a complex task and is an important focus for stakeholders. In this work an attempt is made to estimate the performance of wind clusters employing a multicriteria approach. Multiple factors that affect wind farm operations are analyzed by taking experts opinions, and a performance ranking of the wind farms is generated. The weights of the selection criteria are determined by pairwise comparison matrices of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The proposed methodology evaluates wind farm performance based on technical, economic, environmental, and sociological indicators. Both qualitative and quantitative parameters were considered. Empirical data were collected through questionnaire from the selected wind farms of Belagavi district in the Indian State of Karnataka. This proposed methodology is a useful tool for cluster analysis.

A Case-Based Reasoning Combined with AHP Wighting for Cutter Conceptual Configuration Prediction Model

2011 ◽  
Vol 418-420 ◽  
pp. 1919-1924
Author(s):  
Xian Yun Wang ◽  
Jian Qin Liu ◽  
Wei Guo
Keyword(s):  
Analytic Hierarchy Process ◽  
Prediction Model ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Case Based Reasoning ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Disc Cutters ◽  
The Analytic Hierarchy Process ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Case Based

Abstract For complex and difficult geology, it is difficult to design right cutters for TBM in the conventional ways. So the successful experiences and data accumulated are very useful in TBM disc cutters design. CBR is a reasoning methodology that exploits similar experienced solutions, in the form of past cases, to solve new problems. This paper proposes an AHP-Based CBR model that overcomes the difficulty of measuring experience for determining the relative weight of attributes by the analytic hierarchy process. By comparing, the model using the analytic hierarchy process was more accurate, reliable, and explanatory for solving new problems using experience from previous cases.

scholarly journals Ranking of hydropower projects based on sustainability criteria in India using multicriteria decision making methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-90
Author(s):  
Anuja Shaktawat ◽  
Shelly Vadhera
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Making ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Energy Planning ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Multicriteria Decision ◽  
Promethee Ii ◽  
Sustainability Criteria ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Assessment of hydropower projects with respect to sustainability criteria is a multidimensional and complex issue. It requires considering technical, environmental, and social parameters instead of purely economic ones in decision making for energy planning. The flexibility to consider several criteria and objectives simultaneously leads to the use of multicriteria decision making (MCDM) methods which are well accepted in the field of energy planning. This paper aims at applying MCDM methods in facilitating the decision makers to select the most sustainable hydropower projects in the Indian region by making real and logical choices based on eight important criteria selected from the literature that are compatible with sustainable development. To comprehensively rank hydropower projects three MCDM methods are applied i.e., the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE II), and elimination and choice translating reality (ELECTRE III). Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to calculate the weights of criteria. All three methods are well adapted for sustainability assessment and ranked Sharavathi (A9), Bhakra (A2), and Upper Indravati (A13) to be the most sustainable hydropower projects in India under the selected criteria. The study will be helpful in sustainable energy planning of hydropower projects with similar geographical conditions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document