Identifying the strategic priorities of nuclear energy investments using hesitant 2-tuple interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy DEMATEL

This study aims to determine the strategic priorities for the nuclear energy investments in Turkey. In this context, nine different factors affecting nuclear energy projects are evaluated with the hesitant 2-tuple interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy DEMATEL. Pythagorean fuzzy sets contribute significantly to the solution of uncertainty problem. Similarly, owing to the hesitant approach, it will be possible to manage the different opinions that may arise among experts more effectively. According to the results, factors related to security risk and technological infrastructure adequacy should be considered most in the nuclear energy investment decision. Important concern in this process is that Turkey does not have any experience in the process of building a nuclear power plant. Hence, there is a risk that the necessary security measures may not be taken in the new nuclear power plant planned to be established. Therefore, building nuclear power stations using uranium in Turkey does not seem very reasonable. Instead, Turkey should focus on the nuclear energy projects by using thorium. The main reason is that thorium element produces much less radioactive waste compared to uranium. Also, in the process of nuclear energy using thorium, no more neutrons emerge. Thus, the use of thorium eliminates the risk of explosion in nuclear power plants. In this context, Turkey should make investment in the proton accelerator technology. With the help of this issue, security risks can be minimized in these planned nuclear power plants.

Automated summary

This study uses the hesitant 2-tuple interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy DEMATEL method to evaluate nine different factors affecting nuclear energy projects in Turkey. The results suggest that factors related to security risk and technological infrastructure adequacy should be given the most consideration in nuclear energy investment decision-making. Turkey should focus on nuclear energy projects using thorium and invest in proton accelerator technology to minimize security risks in nuclear power plants.