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A MCDM-based framework for the selection of renewable energy system simulation tool for teaching and learning at university level

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Abstract

The calls for actions to combat climate change have resulted in renewable energy adoption and, consequently, an emerging renewable energy industry. Of course, this has also precipitated the need for more renewable energy expert grounded in hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) software to support the growing industry. Hence, selecting particular software for teaching renewable energy modules for the training of students at a university level is essential. The appraisal and selection of HRES sizing and optimisation software have become crucial for instructors and learners being prepared for the industry. This paper's central contribution is to provide academics, tutors, and researchers in the field of renewable energy system sizing with an idea on how to proficiently and effectively deploy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches in HRES sizing and optimisation software selection problems. A framework that combines fuzzy entropy method and fuzzy-VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) was used to rank HRES simulation software. The performance of the framework was compared with that of the complex proportional assessment (COPRAS) method. The article observed a difference between the fuzzy VIKOR and COPRAS solution for ranking the most preferred software; the most preferred option using the Fuzzy VIKOR is the BCHP screening tool, and HOMER for the COPRAS method. They ranked the least preferred software as RETScreen (VIKOR method) and ORCED (COPRAS method).

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Data Availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code availability

The code developed during the current study is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Bell University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria

    Desmond Eseoghene Ighravwe

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa

    Moses Olubayo Babatunde

  3. Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Thapelo Cornelius Mosetlhe

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Daniel Aikhuele

  5. Department of Electrical Electronics and Computer Engineering, Bell University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria

    Daniel Akinyele

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  1. Desmond Eseoghene Ighravwe
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  2. Moses Olubayo Babatunde
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  3. Thapelo Cornelius Mosetlhe
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  4. Daniel Aikhuele
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  5. Daniel Akinyele
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Contributions

Desmond Ighravwe and Olubayo Babatunde conceived the study, wrote part of the manuscript; Thapelo Mosetlhe, Daniel Aikhuele and Daniel Akinyele wrote part of the manuscript and in data collection. All authors participated in the preparation of the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Moses Olubayo Babatunde.

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Ighravwe, D.E., Babatunde, M.O., Mosetlhe, T.C. et al. A MCDM-based framework for the selection of renewable energy system simulation tool for teaching and learning at university level. Environ Dev Sustain 24, 13035–13056 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01981-1

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