Title: An integrated multi-criteria decision-making and fuzzy cognitive maps for prioritising barriers to geothermal energy development

Authors: Seyyed Ali Piri Azizlou; Mohammad Reza Maleki

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Eyvanekey, Semnan, Iran ' Industrial Engineering Group, Golpayegan College of Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Golpayegan 87717-67498, Iran

Abstract: This research identifies the factors contributing to the success of the Sablan geothermal power plant. For this purpose, the criteria are screened using the WASPAS method and then entered into a fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) to estimate cause-and-effect relationships. In the quantitative part, the model's reliability is validated through a questionnaire and feedback from experts. Another questionnaire is then designed using indicators identified during the super-composition stage. The results indicate that 'resource extraction costs' received the highest score among all examined criteria. The results also demonstrate that the proposed technique addresses the limitations of one-way cause-and-effect relationships in the balanced scorecard. Additionally, three types of relationships including upward, two-way and downward relationships are identified in the FCM. Finally, it is concluded that the strategic structure of the Sabalan power plant requires a daily commitment to excellence in operational processes and product development on limited platforms to ensure the plant's effectiveness.

Keywords: geothermal energy; weighted aggregated sum product assessment; WASPAS method; fuzzy cognitive map; FCM; Sablan geothermal power plant.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2026.151985

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2026 Vol.19 No.2, pp.180 - 201

Received: 14 Jan 2025
Accepted: 25 Feb 2025
Published online: 02 Mar 2026 *

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