Potential assessment of multi-renewable energy farms establishment using spatial multi-criteria decision analysis: A case study and mapping in Iran

Abstract

Many parts of the world may have suitable conditions and potential to establish two or more renewable energy farms. Given the pervasive use of renewable energy globally, assessing the potential of regions to establish a multi-renewable energy farm is of great importance. This study aimed to assess the potential for the establishment of renewable energy farms (solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal) in the eastern regions of Iran. For the first time, the potential for establishing multi-renewable energy farms in an area has been assessed. For this purpose, a series of environmental and economic criteria were addressed and investigated. Respectively, Analytical Network Process (ANP) and Fuzzy logic were employed for obtaining the required weights as well as accounting for the element of uncertainty among the different criteria. The final suitability maps for identification of the most optimal locations for the institution of renewable energy farms were obtained using Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method. The study area was classified as highly suitable for the establishment of renewable energy farms, as maintained by the final results, wherein 5, 13, 23, and 19% of the entire study area were selected as eligible placements for the institution of biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind power plants, respectively. In consonance with the final map obtained using a combination of individual suitability maps, a total of 5465 km2 worth of area was categorized as highly suitable for the establishment of renewable energy farms. Results also were indicative of the prominence of the different weights assigned to each criterion on identifying the optimal choices of the region concerning the establishment of renewable energy farms. The results can be further used for and are highly advantageous to various managerial, planning, and decision-making procedures in connection with the development of prospective renewable energy sources.