Evaluating a Power Supply System for a Small-Scale Cocoa Processing Plant : A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Approach

Abstract: The global supply and demand of energy is facing different challenges. On one hand an increasing energy demand, foremost in developing countries, and an increasing pressure on reaching climate goals changes the requirements on the design of power supply systems. This may be particularly relevant in terms of decentralized energy solutions and hybrid systems that incorporates renewable energy sources. This study exemplifies the use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to evaluate different power supply alternatives for a small-scale cocoa processing plant (SSCPP), placed in Côte d´Ivoire. MCDA is an analytical approach to evaluate decision alternatives according to certain criteria, with the aim to find a preferred alternative. The function of a cocoa processing plant depends highly on its power supply. This study has been performed by first analysing the energy needs of the processing plant, which includes electricity, heating and cooling. Based on those specific energy needs different power supply alternatives have been created. In a following evaluation it has been exemplified how MCDA can be used within the energy sector to evaluate different alternatives. Within this exemplifying evaluation, following power supply solutions have been considered: power grid, power grid with back-up generator, power grid with LPG-heating (Liquified Petroleum Gas), power grid with solar energy, off-grid solar system with back-up generator and an off-grid generator with heat exchanger. The evaluation of alternatives has been made by using the three evaluation attributes: levelized cost of energy (LCOE), loss of load hours (LOLH) and carbon footprint of energy (CFOE).