Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision for Geoinformation System-Based Offshore Wind Farm Positioning in Croatia

Abstract

Renewable energy is one of the main components of a sustainable world and its future. The consumption of electricity from renewable sources in Croatia has an impressive rate of 53.5%, but offshore wind turbines (OWT) have not yet been installed in the Adriatic Sea. The aim of this study is to determine the possibilities for offshore wind farm (OWF) positioning in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea using marine spatial planning (MSP). Initial research to determine the points of interest was conducted based on wind speed. The authors established ten possible points for further research. Subsequently, different parameters were used as inputs for exclusion. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used to calculate the weighting coefficients for a suitable set of criteria, exactly six of them. Using a combination of geoinformation system (GIS) analysis and weighting coefficients established through Fuzzy AHP, four points were established as suitable for OWF installation in Croatia. Finally, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method was used to select the best order for OWF positioning in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea. To conclude, there are not many options for OWF positioning in Croatia. Furthermore, it is clear that they exist and should be explored further.