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Title: Multiobjective decision making in industrial energy and environmental planning

Miscellaneous ·
OSTI ID:6840288

Multiobjective Decision Making (MODM) is proposed for the solution of complicated decision problems. Decision analysis in many areas, including industrial energy and environmental planning, requires consideration of multiple conflicting objectives. MODM has been successfully applied to this type problem. MODM deals with both quantitative and qualitative factors, each with different units of measurement. The objective of this study is to introduce a MODM process for energy and environmental planning problems in forest products manufacturing industries. Throughout the analytic process, the posteriori articulation of decision maker's (DM) preferences are assumed. This mandates development of two procedures: (1) the generation of nondominated solutions and (2) evaluation of the solutions by DM judgement to determine the final, best-compromised solution. For the first procedure, a Multiobjective Linear Programming (MOLP) model is introduced, formulated as a prototype example through the examination of fuel-mix options. Three objectives are in the MOLP model: (1) total energy costs, (2) environmental impacts, and (3) business and performance risks. Factors (2) and (3) are quantified in numerical values to overcome the complexities of different units of measure. The constraint method is then applied for the generation of nondominated solutions. As the second procedure, an evaluation procedure, which includes multiple screening methods is proposed for ease of problem application for consideration of many alternatives. This methodology is based on rating and pairwise comparison methods. Special emphasis is placed on the achievement of a higher DM level of confidence when the final solution is selected. The methodology can be divided into two region's: (1) step-by-step reduction of alternatives, and (2) judgmental options for upgrading DM confidence.

Research Organization:
Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (USA)
OSTI ID:
6840288
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English