Dear Sana Hafdhi , Jalel Euchi

I have read your paper

Designing of new proposed technique for the multi-attribute choice problems: Application to the selection of renewable energy technologies in the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Society case study

These are my comments

1- The first subject that called my attention in your use of the word ‘Attribute’. You use it as synonymous of criteria, and this is incorrect, since attribute is a condition or characteristic of something either a person or in this case a criterion. Therefore, attributes denote the quality or characteristics of the information contained in a criterion, for instance, subjective/objective values, zeros, integers, formulas, etc. A single criterion may have even different attributes, such as a mix of decimals and integers, as well as negatives and positive values. You can see the difference.

2- In the abstract the article you mention “optimal alternatives”, however, MCDM looks for a compromise solution, since it may be impossible to have optimal alternatives if you consider maximizing benefits and minimising cost at the same time. It is one or the other, or a balanced or compromised solution.

3. In page 1 you use the expression “Technical objectives”talking on criteria. This is an excellent name, because criteria are really objectives to be satisfied, normally based on technical issues. Unfortunatelly, not many people are aware of this.

4- In page 2 “MADM involves the evaluation of multiple conflicting alternatives in the presence of several relevant evaluation criteria”.

In my opinion this is incorrect, because alternatives may or may be not conflicting, the same as criteria, which normally are. Conflicting alternatives exists when they are exclusive, meaning that if alternative A5 is selected, then, alternative A3 can’t, as is the case of a tunnel or a bridge to cross a river in the same place. It is one or the other. Normally in most MCDM problems alternatives are inclusive, in the sense that there are not restrictions or conditions between them. To express both in MCDM matrix you need to use binary variables on the corresponding criterion.

5- Page 8. Excellent and concise description of the different means to generate electrical energy.

You are however, forgetting sources that use the movement of the sea waves and tidal, as well as the new ones like Hydrogen cells and the future nuclear fusion, nor you mention the actual nuclear fission

I hope these few comments can help you.

Nolberto Munier