Site selection for underground pumped storage plant using abandoned coal mine through a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making framework under the fuzzy environment: A case in China

Abstract

The development of underground pumped storage plant using abandoned coal mine (UPSP-ACM) has a significance to abandoned coal mine resources utilization and energy storage industry. The article studies on site selection of UPSP-ACM and proposes a decision framework to determine the optimal location based on the theory of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). Firstly, 15 evaluation criteria from resources and environment (R&E), investment and benefits (I&B), construction and technology (C&T), society and planning (S&P) four aspects are identified in the evaluation index system. Then, triangular intuitionistic fuzzy number (TIFN) is used to transform the information of qualitative index into the quantitative, and the game combined weight is used to analyze criteria’ importance. The result shows that average gross head with 0.149 weight is the most important among criteria, and the combined weight method can avoid the bias of single weight method. Further, TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of interactive and multiple attribute decision making) is used to rank the alternatives, which takes the decision maker's risk preference into account. Finally, the feasibility of decision framework testified through a case study in Shanxi province, and its stability and applicability are verified by sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis. Lastly, some suggestions to help the UPSP-ACM site selection are put forward based on the evaluation criteria. The research of article can provide a reference to person who is engaged in management decision research and UPSP-ACM site selection.