Coding, evaluation and selection of thermal power plants – A MADM approach

This paper presents a computational methodology for a computer-based solution to the problem of evaluation and selection of an optimum power plant. This methodology is named as multiple attribute decision making (MADM) methodology and consists of elimination search and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach. Pertinent attributes have been identified. A comprehensive classification and coding scheme based on 190 pertinent attributes for a given thermal power plant is suggested that is suitable for the development of a large database of available plants, and their subsequent retrieval. This methodology allows rapid convergence from a very large number to a manageable shortlist of potentially suitable plants using ‘Elimination Search’. Subsequently, the selection procedure proceeds to rank the alternatives in the shortlist by employing the TOPSIS approach. A computer software package has been developed to assist an inexperienced user to establish priorities, and to ‘oversee’ the selection process at various stages. This methodology has been explained with the help of an illustrative example.