Application of the Fuzzy DEMATEL – ANP VIKOR Method to Rank Loads for Load Shedding in Microgrids

This paper presents a multi-criteria decision-making method to rank loads for load shedding in microgrids. The proposed Fuzzy VIKOR technique is based on the Fuzzy Decision-Making Test and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) model and the Analytical Network Process (ANP). The load ranking for load shedding in a microgrid is an issue that requires balancing economic and technical criteria, both of which are often in conflict with each other when considering comparative objects. The proposed Fuzzy VIKOR technique aims to solve problems related to conflicting criteria. Fuzzy numbers theory is utilized to handle uncertainty and relativity. Furthermore, the DEMATEL method also establishes Network Relationship Maps (NRM) and normalizes the unweighted supermatrix of ANP for weight values that match the criteria. The proposed method provides a comprehensive approach to evaluate the importance of criteria by determining the correlation and influence between factors, calculating their weights, and then ranking and selecting optimal loads based on the weights of load factors that serve the purpose of load shedding. A microgrid system with 16 buses was deployed to validate the proposed method.