Development of model for assessment of renewable energy sources: a case study on Gujarat, India

Abstract

In energy sector, a large number of renewable energy sources exist today to replace the pollution causing conventional energy systems. It is necessary to ensure a complete profitability for the investment taking into consideration of the system to be installed. In this study, the assessment of the variegated renewable energy sources commonly available (solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy and nuclear energy) is done on a number of socio-political, environmental, economic and technical factors in the state of Gujarat, India, a country which has progressively been keen to adopt sustainable energy sources. Seven renewable energy sources were adjudged on the basis of eight multi-dimensional criteria using a fuzzy-technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) model. Considering cost related criteria, a sensitivity analysis was conducted at the end to check the robustness of solution obtained. Abbreviations: GDP: gross domestic product; GUVNL: Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited; GEB: Gujarat electricity board; TFN: triangular fuzzy number; INR: Indian rupees