A Hybrid Fuzzy Analysis Network Process (FANP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) Approaches for Solid Waste to Energy Plant Location Selection in Vietnam

Abstract

Many research studies have applied the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach to various fields of science and engineering, and this trend has been increasing for many years. One of the fields that the MCDM model has been employed is for location selection, yet very few studies consider this problem under fuzzy environmental conditions. In this research, the authors propose an MCDM approach, including fuzzy analysis network process (FANP), and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), for solid waste to energy plant location selection in Vietnam. In the first stage of this research, the ANP approach with fuzzy logic is applied to determine the weight of criteria. In the FANP model, the value of the criteria is provided by the experts so that the disadvantages of this model are that the input data, expressed in linguistic terms, depends on the experience of experts, and thus involves subjectivity. This is a reason why TOPSIS model was proposed for ranking alternatives in the final stage. Analysis shows that Hau Giang (Decision Making Unit 8 (DMU 8)) is the best location for building solid waste to energy plant, because it has the shortest geometric distance from the positive ideal solution (PIS) and the longest geometric distance from the negative ideal solution (NIS). The contribution of this research is a proposed hybrid FANP and TOPSIS approach for solid waste to energy plant location selection in Vietnam under fuzzy environmental conditions. This paper is also part of an evolution of a new hybrid model that is flexible and practical for decision makers. In addition, the research also provides a special, useful guideline in solid waste to energy plant location selection in many countries, as well as provides a guideline for location selection in other industries. Thus, this research makes significant contributions on both academic and practical fronts.