Multi criteria decision-making for distributed energy system based on multi-source heterogeneous data

The distributed energy system (DES) has been regarded as a socio-technical innovation that can improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emission. Based on the construction and planning of a DES project in Henan Province, this paper aims to develop a comprehensive decision-making framework for selecting the most appropriate DES composition schemes with multi-source heterogeneous data. Thus, a new multi-criteria decision-making method based on fuzzy preference relations and improved Choquet integral is generated. Firstly, an evaluation criteria system is established from economic, technical, environmental and social dimensions, and 10 secondary criteria are presented. Secondly, based on the interval fuzzy preference relations of criteria given by experts, the iteration of weights of criteria is continued until the group consistency degree reaches the threshold. Thirdly, the deviation degree is used to transform the initial data, which include crisp values, interval numbers and linguistic terms to isomorphism data. Thereafter, the fuzzy measures are calculated using Mobius transformation coefficients and the final scores of the alternatives are obtained by means of Choquet integral, which can eliminate the overlap information between criteria. Finally, a real case is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed evaluation criteria and technique. The result shows the multi energy complementary system as the most appropriate alternative for the project, followed by the solar-air source heat pump system, fuel cell system, natural gas system, internal combustion engine system and traditional system. Conclusively, the discussion, comparative analysis and some policy implications to promote the development of distributed energy industry are given. This study not only can assist stakeholders to obtain greater benefits of the DES, but also can serve as a reference for the government towards the development of more robust regulations and policies. •Six different distributed energy system (DES) composition schemes are analyzed.•The fuzzy preference relations are developed with the requirement of consistency degree.•A new decision-making method with multi-source heterogeneous data is proposed.