A spherical fuzzy-based DIBR II-AROMAN model for sustainability performance benchmarking of wind energy power plants

Abstract

Wind energy power plants (WEPPs) are renewable energy generation facilities that are increasingly used today. The performance evaluations of these energy plants are generally based on technical performance. Although there are studies in the literature focusing on determining the technical performance of WEPPs, there is a lack of research on evaluating their sustainable performance. The primary motivation of this study is to develop a decision model for identifying the sustainable performance of WEPPs. The model incorporates fuzzy logic and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches, incorporating expert opinions and both qualitative and quantitative criteria. To determine the influence levels of experts, spherical fuzzy (SF) sets are utilized. The weighting of criteria is achieved using the SF-defining interrelationships between ranked criteria II (DIBR II) method, which is a novel extension of the DIBR II method based on SF sets. Additionally, an SF-alternative ranking order method accounting for two-step normalization (AROMAN) method is developed for ranking the sustainable performance of WEPPs, building upon the AROMAN method, and adapting it to SF sets. This hybrid model is named the SF-DIBR II-AROMAN hybrid model. The step-by-step procedures of this model are presented in the research, and an algorithm for these procedures is developed. To demonstrate its practicality, a case study is conducted, focusing on WEPPs with a capacity ranging from 25 to 150 megawatts in Çanakkale, Turkey. According to the research results, among the fifteen WEPPs in the Çanakkale region, “Saros WEPP” is identified as having the best one. The robustness of the obtained results is ensured through sensitivity analyses. Based on the results of two sensitivity analysis scenarios, “Saros WEPP” is found to have the highest sustainable performance. The SF-DIBR II-AROMAN hybrid model results are compared with different alternative ranking method results, highlighting its superior aspects. Overall, SF-DIBR II-AROMAN is consistent and robust. The research also provides insights and managerial implications, as well as explains the benefits of the proposed model for evaluating WEPPs’ sustainable performance.