Site selection modeling of hybrid renewable energy facilities using suitability index in spatial planning

Abstract

The research focuses on how hybrid renewable energy facilities can be addressed within the spatial planning system by adopting an approach that minimizes the problems related to the sustainability of energy. The study aims to develop a spatial model based on parameters for the site selection processes of hybrid renewable energy facilities relying on wind, solar, and biomass energy sources within the spatial planning system in Turkey. The integration of fuzzy logic approach and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools has been proposed to establish a spatially applicable methodological framework. The methodology focuses on the neighborhood scale in terms of planning level and covers the Karatay district, where the hybrid renewable energy potential is high. The research findings indicate that the GAMMA operator used in the methodology provides the most optimal areas with a value of γ = 0.90 and generates site selections for hybrid renewable energy facilities based on the source with the highest suitability index in single-source utilization. Additionally, the operator determines the best alternative in terms of resources in different hybrid scenarios. In this context conducted in Karatay district, it was found that the highest suitability index in terms of hybrid applications is associated with biomass-solar energy combinations.