AN ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING MODEL TO EVALUATE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Abstract

With numerous renewable energy technologies available worldwide, the selection process must be meticulous to address specific needs effectively. Given the precarious dependency of Palestinian territories (PTs) on imported energy, surpassing 90% of its electricity requirements, there is a pressing need to explore sustainable solutions, particularly renewable energy sources, to achieve energy self-sufficiency. In response to this challenge, the present research employs a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach, specifically leveraging the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The primary objective is to comprehensively investigate, select, and rank eight renewable energy sources in PTs, including solar photovoltaic (PV), solar water heaters (SWH), concentrated solar power (CSP), wind, geothermal, biomass, biogas, and waste-to-energy (WTE) alternatives. Utilizing the MCDM approach, the AHP assessment model is structured around five main criteria (technical, economic, environmental, socio-political, and risk) and 22 sub-criteria, aligned with the eight renewable energy alternative solutions. The findings underscore solar PV as the most promising renewable energy alternative solution in the PTs, followed by SWH, WTE, geothermal, biogas, and CSP, respectively. Following a sensitivity analysis, the prioritization and ranking of the renewable energy alternative solutions portfolio offer valuable insights for the formulation of long-term energy roadmaps and policies aimed at achieving sustainability. Furthermore, the study employs the AHP model alongside corresponding comparison matrices to discern local and global preferences across hierarchical tree levels, encompassing criteria, sub-criteria, and final selection alternatives. Notably, technical and economic criteria are paramount, each with a weight of 33.3%, while socio-political, risk, and environmental criteria follow, each with a weight of 11.1%. The study's pioneering use of the AHP method for prioritizing renewable alternatives in the Palestinian context significantly enhances informed decision-making and strategic energy planning in the region.