Integrated evaluation of distributed triple-generation systems using improved grey incidence approach

Several distributed triple-generation (DTG) system options to produce cooling, heating and power have been evaluated and compared in a multi-criteria method, such as technical, economic. environmental and social aspects. Due to the fuzzy or uncertain evaluation criteria, this paper presents an improved grey incidence evaluation method for DTG systems. This method adopts the combination of the improved analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy information method together with the use of linear combination weighting. The optimal weighting method combines both the subjectivity of decision-maker and the objectivity of numerical data to obtain the comprehensive assessment result. As an example, several kinds of DTG systems, whose dynamical sources are respectively Gas Turbine, Gas Engine, Stirling Engine and Fuel Cell, and a separate generation system are compared and evaluated in detail. Based on the different priority to evaluation indexes, the optimal DTG options are established. The results show that this method is simple and practical, and it can provide a reliable evaluation method for DTG systems. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.