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Mini-Grids for Rural Electrification of Developing Countries pp 283–311Cite as

Application of Multi-criteria Decision Aids for Selection of Off-Grid Renewable Energy Technology Solutions for Decentralised Electrification

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Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

This chapter demonstrates a multi-stakeholder approach for selection and ranking of renewable energy technologies for decentralised electrification in India by using PROMETHEE, a multi-criteria decision aid. A graphical descriptive analysis is applied to map the various conflicts observed and to suggest possible interventions. The results show that micro-hydro is currently the best compromise solution for decentralised electrification in India, followed by biomethanation. A substantial investment in technology standardisation of biomass technologies and associated sub-systems and significant reduction of the costs of PV-based technologies are required before they can be adopted on a wider scale. Innovative hybrids and smart mini-grids can be used in the short term for diversity in supply options.

Author Dattakiran Jagu was formerly with Department of Energy and Environment, TERI University, New Delhi, India. Author V. V. N. Kishore was former professor of Department of Energy and Environment, TERI University, New Delhi, India and presently an independent consultant in Renewable Energy.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    However, this does not necessarily cover all environmental damages. For example, toxic waste water from biomass gasification system is a problem but the environmental indicator has not covered this aspect.

  2. 2.

    The visited sites are not necessarily rural electrification projects although they relate to decentralised electrification.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 157, 26th Main, 37th Cross 9th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore, 560069, India

    Dattakiran Jagu

  2. Department of Energy and Environment, TERI University, New Delhi, India

    D. Pugazenthi & V. V. N. Kishore

Authors
  1. Dattakiran Jagu
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  2. D. Pugazenthi
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  3. V. V. N. Kishore
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dattakiran Jagu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom

    Subhes C. Bhattacharyya

  2. The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, India

    Debajit Palit

Appendix

Appendix

Table A.1 Estimation of weights for criteria—an example
Full size table

After placing the criteria into five categories of importance, they are compared pair-wise and values are given for each comparison as below:

  • 1 if a criterion is being compared with itself.

  • 1 if two criteria being compared belong to same category.

  • 2 if first criterion is placed one category higher than second criterion.

  • 3 if first criterion is placed two categories higher.

  • 4 if first criterion is placed three categories higher.

  • 5 if first criterion is placed four categories higher.

The weight coefficient for a particular criterion is obtained by dividing the individual score of that criterion by the total score for all the criteria.

Table A.2 Survey for evaluating a technology on the identified criteria
Full size table

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Jagu, D., Pugazenthi, D., Kishore, V.V.N. (2014). Application of Multi-criteria Decision Aids for Selection of Off-Grid Renewable Energy Technology Solutions for Decentralised Electrification. In: Bhattacharyya, S., Palit, D. (eds) Mini-Grids for Rural Electrification of Developing Countries. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04816-1_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04816-1_11

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