Abstract
Since new (Power) Transmission Lines (TLs) can have a long-term effect on the makeup of a landscape and on the human living space, it should be expected that the route of any new TL will be based on objective criteria that take into account the views of the public. Geographic Information Science (GIScience) provides powerful tools that assist in the determination of feasible locations for new TLs based on objective criteria and georeferenced data by combining methods from Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Least Cost Path (LCP) analysis. If such an approach is applied, the LCP analysis usually yields one optimal result. However, stakeholders and decision-makers prefer to compare multiple distinct path alternatives in order to find a solution that will be acceptable to as many stakeholders as possible.We have developed a method that calculates spatially distinct and Pareto optimal path alternatives based on the same cost surface using an algorithm for determining valleys on a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to determine local low-cost points, which were then connected to a network graph by geometrical rules. Finally, we selected all non-dominated path alternatives that represented Pareto optimal conditions regarding a specific main objective. We then asked ten expert stakeholders to cross-compare the calculated path alternatives and assess our novel method. The concept of applying linear programming to obtain Pareto optimal path alternatives yielded routings that were mostly preferred over the LCP and had a greater likelihood of being realized than the results obtained by conducting the LCP analysis. The stakeholders determined the method's key concept to be useful and assert it a high potential to support planning, matter-of-fact argumentation, and discussions about TL routing.
Highlights
The turn toward renewable energy sources is challenging for numerous reasons
Since new (Power) Transmission Lines (TLs) can have a long-term effect on the makeup of a landscape and on the human living space, it should be expected that the route of any new TL will be based on objective criteria that take into account the views of the public
Geographic Information Science (GIScience) provides powerful tools that assist in the determination of feasible locations for new TLs based on objective criteria and georeferenced data by combining methods from Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Least Cost Path (LCP) analysis
Summary
The turn toward renewable energy sources is challenging for numerous reasons. The demand for electricity is increasing across the world due to steady population growth (International Energy Agency, 2019) and the benefits that electricity use fosters, namely economic growth and increased social welfare (Taylor, 2017). Electricity generation by renewable energy power plants, especially photovoltaics and wind energy, is subject to current weather. This hampers the reliable prediction of electricity supply, when and how much electricity will be transmitted through the grid. The existing grid must be modernized to meet the technical requirements of transmitting renewable energy to a growing population. Citizens often worry about potential health issues caused by the (Power) Transmission Lines (TLs)’ magnetic field (Hedtke et al, 2018). This leads to low community acceptance of grid extension projects. GIS provide a mathematical, computer-based platform that can analyze social-consideration data and other stakeholder data to determine the best path for new TLs, increasing the TL acceptance by as many stakeholders as possible
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
