Multi-criteria decision-making optimization of a two-staged solar power plant for low radiation zone through the social decision units

Abstract

The effective use of renewable energy has been the most common problem of the last few years. The optimal designs of renewable energy systems are the most crucial issue among these problems. However, the optimal points can differ according to the perspectives. In this study, the effects of the different social aspects were investigated on the optimal design of the two-staged solar power plant operating under low solar radiation. In this regard, three social perspectives were handled to optimize the design parameters, including investor, engineering and consumer sights. Thus, different system designs were formed considering different thermodynamical parameters, solar radiation values, and working fluids. The formed designs were then thermodynamically analyzed through energy and exergy methods and economically analyzed through the net present value (NPV) method to obtain the input and output values to determine the optimal points. Finally, the efficiency analysis technique with output satisficing (EATWOS) analysis was handled for three different social aspects to make a decision on the optimal system. The social aspects were included in the optimization through the analytical hierarchic process (AHP) for inputs and outputs. The results show that the social perspectives have essential effects on the optimal designs of the energy systems. As a result, the system's energy and exergy efficiency for the investor basis were determined as 20.88 % and 22.42 %, respectively. This system can produce 93.55 MW of power generation with a profit of 103 million US$ at the end of 20 years. The system's energy and exergy efficiency for the engineering basis were determined as 20.56 % and 22.08 %, respectively. This system can produce 71.17 MW of power generation with a profit of 80 million US$. The system's energy and exergy efficiency for the consumer basis were determined as 19.65 % and 21.09 %, respectively. This system can produce 88.03 MW of power generation with a profit of 92 million US$.