Evaluation of Resources and Potential Measurement of Wind Energy to Determine the Spatial Priorities for the Construction of Wind-Driven Power Plants in Damghan City

Abstract

The rate of energy consumption is increasing worldwide due mainly to economic advancement and population growth. As a result, renewable energy sources have gained unprecedented popularity. Wind power has attracted much attention recently as it is economical and does not create environmental pollution. One vital factor that must be considered in the construction of a wind-driven power plant is the selection of a suitable location. Location choice is highly dependent upon the outcome of investigating a potential construction site. This research, along with investigating the effectiveness of parameters for determining a potential location, aims to explore the elements that play a major role in identifying and selecting an optimal wind farm site. The most suitable locations for the construction of wind farms in the city of Damghan were identified and selected through analyzing and integrating maps using GIS software. Within the whole Damghan city area, about 2,240 km2, which comprises 16% of the city’s area has been identified as suitable for establishing wind-driven power plants. By considering the relevant elements and keeping an appropriate distance between the plants to avoid power reduction, it is estimated that a total energy output of about 1,000 MW can be produced by wind-driven power plants in this city.