A hybrid tool to combine multi-criterion decision making and economic objective optimization in designing grid connected hybrid energy systems

Presently, the Tunisian energy system depends almost entirely on fossil resources. However, the fossil fuels are terribly harmful energy resources for environment because the emissions of greenhouse gases are very high level. Therefore, a new paradigm is emerging in the country. With the prevailing power crisis, unreliable and power rationing, the government has become very invested in introducing renewable energy sources into the current power mix as a sustainable means of electrification across the country. The Tunisian program on renewable energy and energy efficiency constituted the challenging goal of achieving 30% of electricity production from renewable energy sources (RES) by 2030. However, REs have an inherent stochastic nature, which is their main deficiency. To overcome these issues, hybridising renewable energy resources has recently obtained attention because of the discontinuous nature of some resources. This study addresses the sustainability objectives using a methodology based on concepts of Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (FMCDM) and Mathematical Optimization Programming (MOP) to design a grid connected hybrid renewable energy system. In the first phase, we determine the criteria weights using Fuzzy AHP based on energy expert opinions. Then, we calculate the evaluation of various renewable energy sources through the application of Fuzzy VIKOR method. In the second phase, we solve the configuration of hybrid renewable energy system using the MOP model conformed with multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) results. To validate the effectiveness, the framework is applied in Tunisia. The results illustrate that the selected hybrid renewable energy system does not only guarantee an economic system configuration, it also has environmental and social benefits.