IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v401y2025ipcs0306261925015326.html

Investment suitability assessment and multi-attribute decision-making research for wind-photovoltaic‑hydrogen-storage integrated project based on GIS and cloud weighted power Heronian mean operator

Author

Listed:
  • Dong, Fugui
  • Wang, Peijun
  • Li, Wanying

Abstract

Amid the global energy transition, investment decisions for renewable energy projects are crucial. Evaluating wind-photovoltaic‑hydrogen-storage integrated (WPHSI) projects involves multi-source information, complex metrics, and dynamic expert opinions, rendering traditional methods struggling to meet dynamic and complex decision-making demands of WPHSI projects. This study proposes a novel investment suitability framework based on multi-attribute decision-making (MADM). First, a macro–micro evaluation system was established. A dynamic social network expert weighting method with weight updates was designed, followed by a three-stage weighting approach: (1) Cloud-based Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (CDEMATEL) quantified causal relationships and computed subjective weights; (2) Gini coefficient was introduced to enhance traditional Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method, proposing Improved CRITIC (ICRITIC) to compute objective weights; (3) A combined CDEMATEL-ICRITIC-game theory model integrated both weight types. Furthermore, cloud weighted power Heronian mean operator (CWPHMO) was developed to aggregate and rank evaluations. Using GIS technology, 11 suitable locations were identified in Inner Mongolia. The priority assessment results indicate, site A3 in Ordos received the highest score, showing optimal suitability and investment potential. Weight fluctuation tests, Monte Carlo simulation, and parameter sensitivity analysis confirmed stability of A3's top ranking. Results from different methods were highly consistent (Kendall's coefficient = 0.957) and correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.97), validating A3 as optimal site. This study's framework enables more scientific and comprehensive investment decision-making in complex, dynamic environments than traditional methods, combining scalability with practical applicability while providing theoretical and methodological support for WPHSI and other multi-energy projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Dong, Fugui & Wang, Peijun & Li, Wanying, 2025. "Investment suitability assessment and multi-attribute decision-making research for wind-photovoltaic‑hydrogen-storage integrated project based on GIS and cloud weighted power Heronian mean operator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 401(PC).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:401:y:2025:i:pc:s0306261925015326
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126802
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925015326
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126802?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang, Jingze & Fu, Binbin & Peng, Jiaqi & Wang, Guibin & Yao, Hong, 2025. "Integration of a salt cavern for large-scale hydrogen storage into a solar-wind-storage power system: Technical and economic advantages," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 393(C).
    2. Gao, Jianwei & Wang, Yaping & Huang, Ningbo & Wei, Lingli & Zhang, Zixuan, 2022. "Optimal site selection study of wind-photovoltaic-shared energy storage power stations based on GIS and multi-criteria decision making: A two-stage framework," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 1139-1162.
    3. Besharati Fard, Moein & Moradian, Parisa & Emarati, Mohammadreza & Ebadi, Mehdi & Gholamzadeh Chofreh, Abdoulmohammad & Klemeŝ, Jiří Jaromír, 2022. "Ground-mounted photovoltaic power station site selection and economic analysis based on a hybrid fuzzy best-worst method and geographic information system: A case study Guilan province," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    4. Zhou, Jianli & Liu, Dandan & Sha, Ru & Sun, Jingbing & Wang, Yubao & Wu, Yunna, 2024. "Geospatial simulation and decision optimization towards identifying the layout suitability and priority for wind-photovoltaic-hydrogen-ammonia project: An empirical study in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    5. Ding, Liping & Zhang, Siyu & Yang, Qian & Zeng, Bo & Zheng, Longwei, 2025. "Analysis of investment and R&D strategies evolution in wind-solar-hydrogen integration projects: A perspective of institutional investor networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    6. Wang, Zhiqiang & Liu, Xiao & Gu, Wu & Cheng, Lei & Wang, Hui & Liu, Jiaqi & Li, Luling & Wang, Jinhua & Zhang, Meng & Wang, Yongzhi & Shen, Yang, 2026. "Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Power as a pathway for wind and solar renewable energy utilization in China: Opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PA).
    7. Zhou, Jianli & Chen, Zhuohao & Wu, Shuxian & Yang, Cheng & Wang, Yaqi & Wu, Yunna, 2024. "Potential assessment and development obstacle analysis of CCUS layout in China: A combined interpretive model based on GIS-DEMATEL-ISM," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    8. Ji, Zhengsen & Li, Wanying & Niu, Dongxiao, 2024. "Optimal investment decision of agrivoltaic coupling energy storage project based on distributed linguistic trust and hybrid evaluation method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).
    9. Ridha, Hussein Mohammed & Hizam, Hashim & Mirjalili, Seyedali & Othman, Mohammad Lutfi & Ya'acob, Mohammad Effendy & Ahmadipour, Masoud, 2023. "Innovative hybridization of the two-archive and PROMETHEE-II triple-objective and multi-criterion decision making for optimum configuration of the hybrid renewable energy system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    10. Al Garni, Hassan Z. & Awasthi, Anjali, 2017. "Solar PV power plant site selection using a GIS-AHP based approach with application in Saudi Arabia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 1225-1240.
    11. Wu, Yunna & Geng, Shuai & Zhang, Haobo & Gao, Min, 2014. "Decision framework of solar thermal power plant site selection based on linguistic Choquet operator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 303-311.
    12. Huo, Zhishuo & Zhang, Juntao & Cheng, Chuntian & Cao, Hui & Yang, Yuqi, 2025. "A synergistic model framework for identifying variable renewable energy integration capacity and deployment sites for hydro-wind-PV integrated energy bases," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    13. Haspolat, Emre & Cicek, Doga Derman & Gokmener, Serkan & Melek, Abiddin Berhan & Deveci, Muhammet & Oguz, Elif, 2024. "Site selection of floating photovoltaic systems on hydropower reservoirs using fuzzy sine trigonometric decision-making model: Turkey as a case study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    14. Alipour, M. & Hafezi, R. & Rani, Pratibha & Hafezi, Mehdi & Mardani, Abbas, 2021. "A new Pythagorean fuzzy-based decision-making method through entropy measure for fuel cell and hydrogen components supplier selection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    15. Tao, Linwei & Hayashi, Kiichiro & Gyeltshen, Sangay & Shimoyama, Yuya, 2025. "Spatial assessment of utility-scale solar photovoltaic siting potential using machine learning approaches: A case study in Aichi prefecture, Japan," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 383(C).
    16. Zhao, Yuyang & Zhao, Yuhuan & Cao, Song & Zhu, Zhengzheng & Sun, Hexu, 2025. "Capacity configuration and control optimization of off-grid wind solar hydrogen storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    17. Tang, Ming & Liao, Huchang & Xu, Jiuping & Streimikiene, Dalia & Zheng, Xiaosong, 2020. "Adaptive consensus reaching process with hybrid strategies for large-scale group decision making," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 282(3), pages 957-971.
    18. Sotiropoulou, Kalliopi F. & Vavatsikos, Athanasios P., 2021. "Onshore wind farms GIS-Assisted suitability analysis using PROMETHEE II," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    19. Aziz, Md Tareq & Haque, Akramul & Islam, Md Rabiul & Hosen, Md Biplob & Kader, Zarjes & Aziz, Md Abdul & Saha, Ovi Ranjan, 2025. "Site suitability assessment for solar powered green hydrogen production plants: A GIS based AHP and Fuzzy AHP approach for Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    20. Gao, Jianwei & Wang, Yaping & Guo, Fengjia & Chen, Jiayi, 2024. "A two-stage decision framework for GIS-based site selection of wind-photovoltaic-hybrid energy storage project using LSGDM method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    21. Hauger, Salome & Gudat, Charlotte & Lieb, Vanessa & Glaser, Rüdiger, 2025. "GIS-based potential analysis and agro-economic site selection for agrivoltaics using AHP in two German counties," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    22. Cong-Cong Li & Yuan Gao & Yucheng Dong, 2021. "Managing Ignorance Elements and Personalized Individual Semantics Under Incomplete Linguistic Distribution Context in Group Decision Making," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 97-118, February.
    23. Ren, Weihang & Guan, Yongpei & Qiu, Feng & Levin, Todd & Heleno, Miguel, 2025. "Energy justice and equity: A Review of definitions, measures, and practice in policy, planning, and operations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    24. Meng, Fanyong & Tang, Jie & An, Qingxian, 2023. "Cooperative game based two-stage consensus adjustment mechanism for large-scale group decision making," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    25. Sang, Yongli & Dang, Xin, 2024. "Grouped feature screening for ultrahigh-dimensional classification via Gini distance correlation," Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    26. Yang, Jingze & Lam, Tsz Yeuk & Luo, Zixue & Cheng, Qiang & Wang, Guibin & Yao, Hong, 2025. "Renewable energy driven electrolysis of water for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    27. Hosseini Dehshiri, Seyyed Shahabaddin & Firoozabadi, Bahar, 2025. "Photovoltaic plant site selection considering dust soiling effects: A novel hybrid framework based on uncertainty and reliability with optimum cleaning schedule," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 382(C).
    28. Yang, Shi-guan & Zhou, Jia-le & Hu, Zhuang & Zhou, Xin-yue & Cai, Qi & Xie, Jin-heng & Wu, Yang-wen & Lu, Qiang, 2023. "Site selection decision framework for biomass pyrolysis project based on a mixed method under probabilistic linguistic environment and low carbon perspective: A case study in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    29. Hosseini Dehshiri, Seyyed Shahabaddin & Firoozabadi, Bahar, 2024. "Comprehensive framework on wind energy: A sustainable site selection under uncertainty and reliability, layout optimization and 7E analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    30. Vaziri Rad, Mohammad Amin & Forootan Fard, Habib & Khazanedari, Kian & Toopshekan, Ashkan & Ourang, Shiva & Khanali, Majid & Gorjian, Shiva & Fereidooni, Leila & Kasaeian, Alibakhsh, 2024. "A global framework for maximizing sustainable development indexes in agri-photovoltaic-based renewable systems: Integrating DEMATEL, ANP, and MCDM methods," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    31. Jun, Dong & Tian-tian, Feng & Yi-sheng, Yang & Yu, Ma, 2014. "Macro-site selection of wind/solar hybrid power station based on ELECTRE-II," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 194-204.
    32. Dimitriou, Iason C. & Sarmas, Elissaios & Trachanas, Georgios P. & Marinakis, Vangelis & Doukas, Haris, 2025. "Multi-Criteria GIS-based offshore wind farm site selection: Case study in Greece," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    33. Gao, Jianwei & He, Yijin & Huang, Ningbo & Meng, Qichen & Zhao, Shutong & Zhang, Lei, 2025. "Site selection of medium-deep geothermal resource projects based on intuitionistic fuzzy environment and MABAC method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    34. Aly, Ahmed & Jensen, Steen Solvang & Pedersen, Anders Branth, 2017. "Solar power potential of Tanzania: Identifying CSP and PV hot spots through a GIS multicriteria decision making analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 159-175.
    35. Ali, Shahid & Stewart, Rodney A. & Sahin, Oz & Vieira, Abel Silva, 2023. "Integrated GIS-AHP-based approach for off-river pumped hydro energy storage site selection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    36. Liu, Jicheng & Ma, Xuying & Lu, Chaoran, 2024. "A three-stage framework for optimal site selection of hybrid offshore wind-photovoltaic-wave-hydrogen energy system: A case study of China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shao, Meng & Han, Zhixin & Sun, Jinwei & Xiao, Chengsi & Zhang, Shulei & Zhao, Yuanxu, 2020. "A review of multi-criteria decision making applications for renewable energy site selection," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 377-403.
    2. Sward, Jeffrey A. & Nilson, Roberta S. & Katkar, Venktesh V. & Stedman, Richard C. & Kay, David L. & Ifft, Jennifer E. & Zhang, K. Max, 2021. "Integrating social considerations in multicriteria decision analysis for utility-scale solar photovoltaic siting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    3. Hauger, Salome & Lieb, Vanessa & Glaser, Rüdiger, 2025. "Spatial potential analysis and site selection for agrivoltaics in Germany," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    4. Jalil Heidary Dahooie & Ali Husseinzadeh Kashan & Zahra Shoaei Naeini & Amir Salar Vanaki & Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas & Zenonas Turskis, 2022. "A Hybrid Multi-Criteria-Decision-Making Aggregation Method and Geographic Information System for Selecting Optimal Solar Power Plants in Iran," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Rouzbahani, Fatemeh & Vaziri Rad, Mohammad Amin & Aghajani, Danyal, 2026. "Mapping cost-effective hydrogen production based on renewable resource potential and techno-economic analysis: a case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 404(C).
    6. Elkadeem, Mohamed R. & Younes, Ali & Jurasz, Jakub & AlZahrani, Atif S. & Abido, Mohammad A., 2025. "A spatio-temporal decision-making model for solar, wind, and hybrid systems – A case study of Saudi Arabia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 383(C).
    7. Zhenzhou Feng & Jijing Chen & Duian Lv & Peng Wang & Kaixuan Zheng & Ziyan Guo & Xihe Yue, 2025. "Research on Offshore Photovoltaic Project Site Selection Based on PRISMA: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    8. Hosseini Dehshiri, Seyyed Shahabaddin & Firoozabadi, Bahar, 2023. "A novel four-stage integrated GIS based fuzzy SWARA approach for solar site suitability with hydrogen storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PA).
    9. Rediske, Graciele & Siluk, Julio Cezar M. & Michels, Leandro & Rigo, Paula D. & Rosa, Carmen B. & Cugler, Gilberto, 2020. "Multi-criteria decision-making model for assessment of large photovoltaic farms in Brazil," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    10. Katkar, Venktesh V. & Sward, Jeffrey A. & Worsley, Alex & Zhang, K. Max, 2021. "Strategic land use analysis for solar energy development in New York State," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 861-875.
    11. Asadi, Meysam & Ramezanzade, Mohsen & Pourhossein, Kazem, 2023. "A global evaluation model applied to wind power plant site selection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    12. Sahoo, Somadutta & Zuidema, Christian & van Stralen, Joost N.P. & Sijm, Jos & Faaij, André, 2022. "Detailed spatial analysis of renewables’ potential and heat: A study of Groningen Province in the northern Netherlands," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 318(C).
    13. Finn, Thomas & McKenzie, Paul, 2020. "A high-resolution suitability index for solar farm location in complex landscapes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 520-533.
    14. Ali, Shahid & Taweekun, Juntakan & Techato, Kuaanan & Waewsak, Jompob & Gyawali, Saroj, 2019. "GIS based site suitability assessment for wind and solar farms in Songkhla, Thailand," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 1360-1372.
    15. Nima Mirzaei, 2022. "A Multicriteria Decision Framework for Solar Power Plant Location Selection Problem with Pythagorean Fuzzy Data: A Case Study on Green Energy in Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-18, November.
    16. Xiao, Sheng & Ren, He & Zhao, Yanling & He, Tingting & Huang, Chunlin & Chen, Qixiang & Zhang, Lifan & An, Yifan & Li, Fashuai & Chen, Yuwei, 2025. "Land reuse for carbon mitigation: Decarbonization potential of solar photovoltaics in China's open-pit mining areas," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    17. Shasha Chai & Fanjie Kong & Yu Liu & Mengyin Liang & Quanfeng Liu, 2024. "Photovoltaic Solar Farms Site Selection through “Policy Constraints–Construction Suitability”: A Case Study of Qilian County, Qinghai," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, September.
    18. Andrius Tamošiūnas, 2023. "Selecting Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Modules by Measuring Their Attractiveness by a Categorical-Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH): The Case of Lithuania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-22, March.
    19. Dong Cheng & Huina Zhang & Yong Wu, 2025. "Maximum expert consensus models with both type- $$\alpha $$ and type- $$\varepsilon $$ constraints," Journal of Combinatorial Optimization, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 1-23, September.
    20. Singh Doorga, Jay Rovisham & Rughooputh, Soonil D.D.V. & Boojhawon, Ravindra, 2019. "High resolution spatio-temporal modelling of solar photovoltaic potential for tropical islands: Case of Mauritius," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 972-987.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:401:y:2025:i:pc:s0306261925015326. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.