Using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and Choosing by Advantages (CBA) to Determine the Optimal Location for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Farms

Solar energy is a critical component of the energy development strategy. The location of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants has a significant impact on the cost of power production. A favorable situation would result in significant cost savings and increased electricity generation efficiency. California is located in the United States of America's southwest region, a place blessed with an abundance of solar energy. In recent years, the state's economy and population have expanded quickly, resulting in increased need for power. The study examines south of California for an area that is well-suited for the building of large photovoltaic (PV) plants to meet local electricity needs. To begin, this article imposed some limits on the selection of three potential solar project locations (S1, S2, and S3). Then, a more systematic approach to solar plant site selection was presented, focusing on five major characteristics (economic, technological, social, geographical, and environmental). This is the first time that the Choosing by Advantages (CBA) approach has been used to determine the locations of photovoltaic (PV) plants, with possible locations ranked S2>S1>S3. It was compared to more classic methodologies such as Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). The findings of this study suggest that the CBA strategy not only streamlines the solar plant selection process, but also more closely aligns with the objectives and desires of investors.

Analysis of energy saving in a single-family home project

Electric energy is one of the types of energy that is most present in the activities that human beings carry out daily, hence the importance of making efficient consumption of this resource, especially that which is done in homes, since energy savings represent a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Given that the construction sector can represent up to 39% of the carbon dioxide emissions emitted into the atmosphere, this research analyzes the impact generated by the construction and use of a single-family home, with the use of DesignBuilder software. Initially, a model was made under traditional conditions, thus determining where the greatest heat gains were concentrated, followed by a second model under adjusted conditions. A life cycle analysis was made under conditions adjusted to a period of 100 years and the submission of the two conditions to the choosing by advantages method. The results showed that the changes can reduce annual energy consumption by up to 66% and recover the investment in 10 years. Finally, the analysis of the life cycle determined that for a period of 100 years the emissions are 18679.67 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Improving the Scoring System with the Choosing by Advantages (CBA) elements to evaluate Construction-Flows using BIM and Lean Construction = Mejora del sistema Scoring con los elementos de selección por ventajas (CBA) para evaluar los flujos de construcción utilizando BIM y Lean Construction

The multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are used as Lean tools, specially, the Choosing by Advantages (CBA) method. CBA has been successfully applied to several construction management projects and it has proven many benefits over the traditional MCDM methods, among them, Scoring method, which is widely used in public and private projects. The main purposes are to improve the Scoring system with the CBA elements and to describe a teaching strategy applied in the School of Civil and Building Engineering. The present study proposes three methods to evaluate the best construction-flow option using 4D models and Lean Construction, based on the adaptation of the CBA system to the Scoring system. It offers a case study in which we select the best construction-flow option during structural work among four clusters of sectorization designs for a residential building. We compare and discuss how it is best to combine the Scoring and CBA approaches, which complement each other. The CBA and modified Scoring systems obtained very similar results. The methods were validated with the similar rankings, the improved collaboration, the survey responses from stakeholders and the transparency of the decision-making process. We recommend the inclusion of CBA elements in the overall framework, to create greater transparency and to reduce the time to reach consensus. The study suggests that MCDM methods combined with 4D models are useful means of achieving better comprehension of the construction flow and thus choosing the best construction alternatives.ResumenLos métodos de toma de decisiones multicriterio (MCDM) se utilizan como herramientas Lean, especialmente, el método de selección por Ventajas (CBA). CBA se ha aplicado con éxito a varios proyectos de gestión de la construcción y ha demostrado muchos beneficios sobre los métodos tradicionales de MCDM, entre ellos, el método de Scoring, el cual se usa frecuentemente en proyectos públicos y privados. Este trabajo tiene como objetivos principales mejorar el sistema de Scoring con los elementos de CBA y describir una estrategia de enseñanza aplicada en una escuela de Ingeniería Civil. El presente estudio propone métodos para evaluar la mejor opción de flujo de construcción utilizando modelos 4D y Lean Construction, basados en la adaptación del sistema CBA al sistema de Scoring. Se ofrece un estudio de caso en el que se selecciona la mejor opción de flujo de construcción entre cuatro grupos de diseños de sectorización para un edificio residencial. Se compara y discute sobre la mejor combinación de los enfoques de Scoring y CBA, los cuales se complementan entre sí. El CBA y el sistema de Scoring modificado obtuvieron resultados muy similares. Los métodos se validaron por medio de resultados similares, colaboraciones optimizadas, respuestas satisfactorias en las encuestas de las partes interesadas y por la transparencia del proceso de toma de decisiones que se percibió. Se recomienda la inclusión de elementos del CBA en el marco general del sistema Scoring, para crear una mayor transparencia y reducir el tiempo para llegar a un consenso. El estudio sugiere que los métodos MCDM combinados con modelos 4D son medios útiles para lograr una mejor comprensión del flujo de construcción y, por lo tanto, elegir las mejores alternativas..