A fuzzy Graph Theory and Matrix Approach (fuzzy GTMA) to select the best renewable energy alternative in India

Mounting energy consumption and increased concern over the financial and ecological repercussions necessitate the implementation of renewable energy technology in India. Renewable energy sources have experienced a variety of challenges, which shows their growth level. Given its extensive population and finite fossil fuel reservoirs, India stands at a significant opportunity to excel in renewable energy forms like wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass, and tidal energy. The objective of this study is to recognize and evaluate the barriers hindering the adoption of renewable energy technology and to prioritize the various renewable energy sources prevalent in India. An exhaustive literature analysis has revealed 21 barriers, which were classified into five categories: economic, technical, social, environmental, and political. The existing literature rarely addresses tidal energy and political barriers, both of which are explored here. Additionally, this research integrates fuzzy data. As fuzzy sets allow partial membership in contrast to crisp sets, this offers enhanced flexibility. Graph Theory and Matrix Approach is utilized for ranking the renewable energy sources with the help of matrix permanent in fuzzy environment. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the consistency of the sequence of importance. The case study reveals that among the alternatives, wind energy holds the highest permanent value, followed by solar and biomass energy, with tidal energy having the lowest value. This indicates that, considering the barriers, wind energy is the most preferred renewable energy source in India, followed by solar and biomass energy. The outcomes might be applicable to numerous developing countries with similar technological and technical limitations. Moreover, this comprehension could prove valuable in formulating policies and strategies aimed at embracing renewable and sustainable energy technologies.