M. Socorro García-Cascales

Bio: M. Socorro García-Cascales is an academic researcher from Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena. The author has contributed to research in topics: Multiple-criteria decision analysis & Renewable energy. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 36 publications receiving 1077 citations. Previous affiliations of M. Socorro García-Cascales include University of Granada & University of Cartagena.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods for the evaluation of solar farms locations: Case study in south-eastern Spain

Abstract: This paper is based on the combination of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and tools or multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods in order to obtain the evaluation of the optimal placement of photovoltaic solar power plants in the area of Cartagena (Region of Murcia), in southeast Spain. The combination GIS–MCDM generates an excellent analysis tool that allows for the creation of an extensive cartographic and alphanumeric database that will later be used by multi-criteria methodologies to simplify problems to solve and promote the use of multiple criteria. In GIS two types of criteria will be reflected: constraints or restrictive criteria, and weighting criteria or factors. Constraints or restrictive criteria will make it possible to reduce the area of study by discarding those areas that prevent the implementation of renewable energy plants. These criteria will be obtained from the legislation (planning regulations, protected areas, road networks, railways, waterways, mountains, etc). Weighting criteria or factors will be those which, according to the objective to be reached, influence the ability to solve a concrete alternative. The choice of such criteria is marked by the influence presented to the overall goal; in this case they will be location, geomorphological, environmental and climatic criteria. Through the use of MCDM the criteria or factors mentioned will be weighted in order to evaluate potential sites to locate a solar plant. Analysis and calculation of the weights of these factors will be conducted using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The assessment of the alternatives according to their degree of adequacy is carried out through the TOPSIS method (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution).

Life Cycle Analysis with Multi-Criteria Decision Making: A review of approaches for the sustainability evaluation of renewable energy technologies

Abstract: Sustainability is a concept that integrates at least three dimensions: environmental, economic and social. Energy systems are usually evaluated as a key contributor for sustainable development, needing the methodology used for their evaluation to address many indicators, some are quantitative, while others are qualitative. It is therefore a challenge to choose the best methodology to accomplish this task. In this article, a comprehensive literature review has been performed to analyse which tools have been used by the scientific community for the sustainability evaluation of renewable energy systems during the past ten years (2007–2017). The purpose of this work focuses on verifying that the methodological framework integrated by the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) combination is the right tool for the sustainability evaluation of renewable energy systems and obtaining a set of sustainable indicators, evaluation methods and the context where they are applied (such energy policies, electrical supply and evaluation of projects). A knowledge database has been built from the scientific experience of 154 cases of sustainability evaluation in renewable energy systems, with special focus on photovoltaic systems. The results of this revision show that LCA and MCDM applied individually do not achieve a comprehensive sustainability evaluation, due to their intrinsic high degree of uncertainty and the different kinds of analysed parameters. The hybrid framework of LCA and MCDM applied in combination appears as the most appropriate approach for this purpose, and specifically the combination of LCA and Analytic Herarchic Process (AHP), the most frequently used by the scientific community, for its simplicity and robustness for sustainable evaluation in energy systems.

Evaluation of photovoltaic cells in a multi-criteria decision making process

Abstract: The requirements to satisfy the energy needs of today without compromising those of future generations have forced humans to adopt rules that permit a better use of the available resources, of which the sun is an inexhaustible energy source. Amongst the energy sources that offer the possibility of exploiting the resources offered by the Earth, solar energy has acquired great strength. Photovoltaic energy has presented a major evolution and it is forecasted as being an important contributor to power generation and an alternative to other non-renewable energy sources. The high cost of solar electricity is today the main reason why electricity from photovoltaic systems has not been introduced in a more widespread way. In this context, the aim of this paper is the study and analysis of the decision criteria to be used when searching for the best photovoltaic cell, studying both the criteria that exert most influence or their manufacture (defined by quantitative and qualitative values) and the alternatives which will be the decision problem to be solved; each alternative will correspond to one type of photovoltaic cell. Thus, relevant information has been provided by three experts and the TOPSIS method has been used to aggregate all the information combined with the use of fuzzy sets which will model the use of linguistic labels in the process.

Review: A state-of the-art survey of TOPSIS applications

Abstract: Multi-Criteria Decision Aid (MCDA) or Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods have received much attention from researchers and practitioners in evaluating, assessing and ranking alternatives across diverse industries. Among numerous MCDA/MCDM methods developed to solve real-world decision problems, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) continues to work satisfactorily across different application areas. In this paper, we conduct a state-of-the-art literature survey to taxonomize the research on TOPSIS applications and methodologies. The classification scheme for this review contains 266 scholarly papers from 103 journals since the year 2000, separated into nine application areas: (1) Supply Chain Management and Logistics, (2) Design, Engineering and Manufacturing Systems, (3) Business and Marketing Management, (4) Health, Safety and Environment Management, (5) Human Resources Management, (6) Energy Management, (7) Chemical Engineering, (8) Water Resources Management and (9) Other topics. Scholarly papers in the TOPSIS discipline are further interpreted based on (1) publication year, (2) publication journal, (3) authors' nationality and (4) other methods combined or compared with TOPSIS. We end our review paper with recommendations for future research in TOPSIS decision-making that is both forward-looking and practically oriented. This paper provides useful insights into the TOPSIS method and suggests a framework for future attempts in this area for academic researchers and practitioners.

Multiple criteria decision making

Abstract: In this Chapter, we imagine a decision maker (or a group of experts) trying to establish or examine fair procedures to combine opinions about alternatives related to different points of view.

Multiple criteria decision-making techniques and their applications – a review of the literature from 2000 to 2014

Abstract: Multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) is considered as a complex decision-making (DM) tool involving both quantitative and qualitative factors. In recent years, several MCDM techniques and approaches have been suggested to choosing the optimal probable options. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the applications and methodologies of the MCDM techniques and approaches. This study reviewed a total of 393 articles published from 2000 to 2014 in more than 120 peer reviewed journals (extracted from Web of Science). According to experts’ opinion, these articles were grouped into 15 fields. Furthermore, these articles were categorised based on authors, publication date, name of journals, methods, tools, and type of research (MCDM utilising research, MCDM developing research, and MCDM proposing research). The results of this study indicated that in 2013 scholars have published articles more than in other years. In addition, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method in the individual tool...

The analysis on photovoltaic electricity generation status, potential and policies of the leading countries in solar energy

Abstract: Energy, which is the main agenda of our world, is crucially important for the people. Many countries frequently held meetings and discussions with energy agenda. These countries are working to balance the energy demand and supply. For finding the solution are researched, researches should be attempted to present a more efficient way to use energy as well as renewable energy resources effectively. Photovoltaic energy power systems take place as the most dominant source among renewable energy technologies. The most important reason is that it is unlimited and clean energy of the solar power systems. Many studies show that photovoltaic power systems will have an important share in the electricity of the future. In this study, to generate electricity from solar energy using photovoltaic systems have a leading position in some European countries, United States of America, China and Japan's current status and future policies will be analyzed in various comments were made.