Site Selection Criteria Research Articles

National goal, local resistance: How institutional gaps hinder local renewable energy development in Taiwan

In most countries, energy transitions are well supported by the public; however, the implementation of renewable energy policies at the local level is often beset with resistance. Previous research has mainly focused on factors influencing community acceptance and strategies to improve social acceptance. Meanwhile, there has been limited analysis of the institutional gaps that lead to local resistance and the dynamic effects of institutional factors on renewable energy implementation at the local level. This paper thus investigates Taiwan's regulations for renewable energy development, presenting a detailed case study from a local context. It examines the factors contributing to local resistance to the implementation of national renewable energy policy targets and explores the dynamics of these resistance actions. Furthermore, through the lens of multi-level governance, the study reveals the institutional gaps and interactions that influence the execution of national policy at the local level. Six major institutional gaps in Taiwan's renewable energy governance were identified, including the lack of energy governance authorizations for local governments, a lack of superordinate site selection criteria and evaluation mechanisms for development zones, lack of governance systems that can address multiple issues, lack of scientific and academic information, lack of information disclosure and public participation mechanisms, and the burden of carbon reduction responsibilities and costs on local communities with few or no benefits. Compounded together, these six institutional gaps lead to the buildup of negative experiences interacting with the government and the renewable energy industry and feelings of worry, panic, distrust, and injustice among the local populace. These ultimately trigger resistance attitudes and the adoption of protest actions, hindering solar farm developments from reaching national policy targets. This study highlights the critical role of multi-level governance in facilitating the energy transition, emphasizing that the successful development of renewable energy requires a robust institutional framework. Such a framework is essential for addressing the complex governance challenges that arise during this transition, particularly aspects supporting local engagement. The six institutional gaps identified from the Taiwan case can serve as policy references for countries or cities intending to promote ground-mounted solar power.

How to make cardiology clinical trials more inclusive.

Cardiovascular clinical trials continue to under-represent children, older adults, females and people from ethnic minority groups relative to population disease distribution. Here we describe strategies to foster trial representativeness, with proposed actions at the levels of trial funding, design, conduct and dissemination. In particular, trial representativeness may be increased through broad recruitment strategies and site selection criteria that reflect the diversity of patients in the catchment area, as well as limiting unjustified exclusion criteria and using pragmatic designs that minimize research burden on patients (including embedded and decentralized trials). Trial communications ought to be culturally appropriate; engaging diverse people with lived experience in the co-design of some trial elements may foster this. The demographics of trialists themselves are associated with participant demographics; therefore, trial leadership must be actively diversified. Funding bodies and journals increasingly require the reporting of sociodemographic characteristics of trial participants, and regulatory bodies now provide guidance on increasing trial diversity; these steps may increase the momentum towards change. Although this Perspective focuses on the cardiovascular trial context, many of these strategies could be applied to other fields.

Criteria for effective site selection of direct air capture and storage projects

Criteria for effective site selection of direct air capture and storage projects

Multi-criteria site selection for wastewater treatment plant in Bent Saidane, Tunisia

Optimal site selection for the establishment of a municipal waste-water-treatment plant (WWTP) is an amazingly complex task that involves several factors such as regulations, as well as environmental, economic and social considerations. This paper presents the criteria and applied methods (geographic information system (GIS)/fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP)) used in the screening of potential sites for the WWTP of the Bent Saidane rural locality (northern Tunisia). For this reason, nine factors accompanied by three sets of site selection criteria were used. GIS-based multi-criteria analysis techniques based on the standardised fuzzy logic concept and weighted overlay were applied for generation of all maps in the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system. Multiscale evaluations based on the weighted linear combination method were also assessed. The study indicated that 0.14 and 0.11% of the total area of the Bent Saidane locality were found to be highly suitable and very highly suitable, respectively. According to these results, the GIS followed by the fuzzy AHP method could pinpoint the optimal sites selected as the most suitable, due to their minimum impact on the environment, as well as on public health, for the construction of a future WWTP in the Bent Saidane rural area.

A Study of CO2 Storage in Bimodal Carbonate Aquifer Rocks: Challenges and Enhancement through Foaming

Summary In carbonate rock reservoirs, the presence of dual-pore systems, characterized by two distinct pore size distributions, plays a crucial role in gas storage in saline aquifers. However, comprehensive research on the impact of bimodal porosity on CO2 storage in such reservoirs is lacking. This study explores CO2 storage efficiency in carbonate aquifer rocks with bimodal porosity. Petrographic examination, capillary pressure measurements, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) T2 profiling revealed two distinct and interconnected pore systems with equal effective porosity proportions. While both systems facilitated fluid flow, the micropores had a high capillary entry pressure (>100 psi). Coreflood experiments showed gas displacement efficiencies below 50%, primarily in larger pores, with only 49–58% of these large pores (20–28% of total pores) storing injected gas through residual trapping after water imbibition. To address this challenge, CO2 was foamed using a foaming agent to enhance viscous forces and overcome capillary forces. This resulted in significant improvements, including a 31% increase in displacement efficiency and a 28% increase in residual gas. NMR analysis revealed effective redirection of CO2 into smaller pores when foam was applied. In another experiment on a sample with a different pore geometry, the use of nanoparticles to strengthen foam increased sweep efficiency by up to 117%, with a corresponding increase of up to 169% in residual trapping. While the use of foam entails additional operational expenses, we contend that the economic viability of foam technology for CO2 storage hinges on a rigorous cost-benefit analysis that weighs increased storage capacity/security against chemical costs. Such analysis should also consider the time, cost, and uncertainty associated with developing additional storage sites. Furthermore, improved site selection criteria in carbonate rocks are needed, including a predictive model for T2 cutoff to identify aquifers with excessive micropores and avoid them during site selection. While fractured porosity is not within the scope of this study, it is expected that foam can equally improve sweep and trapping efficiencies in naturally fractured carbonate rocks.

A study on the macro-micro two-stage site selection of electric-hydrogen hybrid refueling stations based on GIS and Fuzzy-TODIM

With the increasing global demand for clean energy and sustainable development, hydrogen energy has gained significant attention as an environmentally friendly energy carrier. Hydrogen refueling stations, serving as crucial intermediaries in hydrogen production, storage, transport, and refueling, play a pivotal role in the hydrogen energy industry's layout. A novel model for hydrogen refueling stations based on DC microgrids utilizing renewable energy sources for hydrogen production and refueling has become a focal point of interest. However, there is currently limited research on the site selection of electric-hydrogen hybrid refueling stations. Addressing current needs and research gaps, this study proposes a macro-micro two-stage site selection model based on DC microgrids. In the macro-level site selection stage, factors such as regional photovoltaic and wind resources, hydrogen energy policies, and the layout of the hydrogen energy industry are comprehensively considered, with Guangdong Province, China selected as the study area. ArcGIS is utilized to create thematic layers and establish constraints. The DEMATEL method is employed to determine the weights of macro-level site selection criteria. The results indicate that the most suitable areas are located in coastal regions. This study's site selection model offers a scientific and systematic approach to evaluating electric-hydrogen hybrid refueling stations in DC microgrids, providing a scientific basis for decision-making for governments and investors.

Assessment of mineral compositions on geo-mechanical time dependent plastic creep deformation

Understanding rock mechanical time-dependent plastic deformation enables the researchers to accurately predict rock responses during loading and unloading. This research focuses on the geomechanical aspects of hydrogen storage, particularly rock resistance to creep deformation under varying stresses and pressures. Modelling creep deformation in underground storage mediums has been overlooked and requires further consideration, as it is a critical, cyclical, time-dependent phenomenon essential for hydrogen containment. The study's novelty is demonstrated in its focus on geomechanical properties of rock minerals, providing insights that aid in site-selection criteria for hydrogen storage A creep deformation model with varying mineral compositions is used to assess creep deformation strain. In homogenous cases, calcite showed the highest resistance to creep deformation after three loading cycles, primarily due to its high Young's Modulus. As for the heterogenous cases, the results indicated that the mixture of calcite and quartz was the most creep-resistant rock composition. In terms of rock types, basalt samples demonstrated the highest resistance to creep deformation, while siltstone exhibited the highest susceptibility to deformation. It was observed that as the number of cycles increase, the rock mechanical stability decreases, hence optimizing the number of cycles is a must to ensure hydrogen geo-containment.

Understanding hurricane effects on forestlands: Land cover changes and salvage logging

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to forestlands, prompting forest owners to engage in salvage logging to mitigate losses and resulting in a sudden and pronounced impact on the timber supply. At the same time, salvaging efforts have profound ecological repercussions, reshaping forest dynamics and affecting vital ecosystem processes. Given the relevant impact of salvage logging to the timber market and its potential ecological effects, evaluating the main factors motivating or limiting its occurrence and the common spatial patterns of salvage sites could offer valuable support for post-storm management efforts following future hurricane events.This study evaluates the land cover change (LCC) of forested areas following hurricanes, recognizing that the change to land cover classification could be derived from storm damage or additional modifications, such as salvage logging activities. We used a set of predictive machine learning models to investigate the primary factors influencing these modifications and determining a possible connection to salvage operations. To serve this purpose, we selected variables that relate to both forest’s vulnerability to hurricane disturbance and salvage site selection criteria. This research was centered primarily on the category-five Hurricane Michael, using three additional hurricanes of different intensities to compare results. Random Forest was the bestperforming model for predicting LCC in all cases, having wind speed and distance to nearest wood-consuming mills as the most important features when trained on Hurricane Michael data, emphasizing the relevance of market- and operation-related variables alongside weather disturbance aspects. The findings of our study lead us to infer that the observed modifications in land cover following hurricanes likely represent an additional transformation induced by the removal of damaged timber material, potentially serving as a proxy for salvage logging activities.

Do Universities Improve Local Economic Resilience?

Abstract We use a novel identification strategy to investigate whether regional universities make their local economies more resilient. Our strategy is based on state governments using similar site-selection criteria to assign normal schools (to train teachers) and insane asylums between 1830 and 1930. Normal schools became larger regional universities while asylum properties mostly continue as small state-owned psychiatric health facilities. We find that a regional university roughly offsets the negative effects of manufacturing exposure. We show the resilience of regional public university spending is an important mechanism, and we show correlations consistent with bachelor’s degree share also playing a mediating role.

"Exploring the Process and Perceptions of Noise Conflicts Related to a Geothermal Project. A Case Study of Szeged, Hungary "

The use of renewable energy, including geothermal energy, is essential. Hungary stands out for its remarkable geothermal potential. However, these investments often lead to noise pollution, causing social conflicts between the local population and developers. This research presents a case study of a geothermal district heating renovation project in Szeged, Hungary. The study explores public perceptions and social conflicts related to the geothermal heating renovation, focusing on noise impacts. Local media articles reflect public perspectives, while opinions of key stakeholders (politicians, service providers) offer a broader view of geothermal drilling and its noise impacts. The study examines Szeged residents’ knowledge about the ongoing drilling, its benefits, and the conflicts it entails, particularly noise pollution. The empirical survey employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, including a questionnaire survey and online media analysis. Results show that the public lacks sufficient information about geothermal drilling and its noise impact, whilst online media coverage is unclear. Residents often confuse it with other developments, which neither media experts nor the project owner adequately clarify. Survey respondents provided a complex interpretation of noise impacts, mostly accepting the project but questioning why it was in their immediate neighbourhood and why drilling occurred at night. Inconsistent information emerged as a main problem, revealed through content analysis and compared with questionnaire results, highlighting a general issue of unawareness. Media analysis showed opportunities for public comment and consultation, but communication was often unsuccessful due to local residents’ lack of interest. Project organizers attempted to provide information through various platforms, but local media often lacked clear information, causing confusion between past and current geothermal projects and a lack of understanding of the development’s reasons and site selection criteria. Overall, there was a willingness to understand the problems associated with drilling, but this was only partially achieved due to inadequate communication.

Optimized system for combined production of electricity/green hydrogen for multiple energy pathways: a case study of Egypt

Abstract By optimal sizing of a wind/photovoltaic hybrid renewable-energy (RE) system, trimming the surplus capacity to reduce the fluctuations in the electricity supplied to the grid, and using it to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, a stable output with maximum possible capacity factor (CF) is generated to maintain the electricity grid stability. Simultaneously, the trimmed energy is used in a secondary conversion path that minimizes the weighted average cost of the energy generated from the entire plant. This surplus power-to-gas conversion allows the use of green hydrogen to produce electricity, methanol, or ammonia subject to the resource availability, site characteristics, and financial feasibility. Based on robust site selection criteria, the best performance is obtained at two sites: Ras Ghareb and Minya, achieving the lowest energy cost with some variance in their performance. For the Ras Ghareb site, the optimally sized RE plant provided the grid with a quasi-steady capacity of 423 MW with a CF of 80.04% and was capable of injecting 2965.8648 GWh throughout the year with the lowest cost of 2.4355 ¢/kWh. A surplus of 3.9% of the total energy produced from the plant was directed to produce 1922-ton H2/year, achieving the lowest cost of hydrogen production of $1.9745/kg H2. For the other selected site, Minya, the clipped energy is used to produce 3330.47-ton H2/year with an optimized lowest cost of $3.5268/kg H2. The difference in hydrogen costs was attributed to the number of full operating hours of the electrolyser in both sites. The cost is mainly affected by the electricity price and the electrolyser cost. With both tending to decrease, future forecasts show hydrogen cost reductions.

Towards Sustainable Urban Futures: Integrating a Novel Grey Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model for Optimal Pedestrian Walkway Site Selection

Today, urban development faces complex global challenges that require new approaches to influence its practices and policies. By prioritizing sustainability, mobility, and community resilience, we are moving towards a holistic approach that protects the well-being of residents and the environment. In this dynamic urban design environment, finding ways to identify pedestrian-friendly spaces and create safe, efficient, and sustainable urban environments is a major challenge, and it requires research that seeks to optimize this choice, especially in terms of integrating numerical modeling methods and a wide range of measurement tasks. This research is concerned with optimizing pedestrian accessibility, which directly contributes to reducing environmental impact, improving non-motorized transport, and reducing traffic congestion. It integrates a novel, mixed multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model that benefits from the use of Grey’s theory. This research’s purpose goes beyond addressing cities’ immediate challenges; it seeks to contribute to a broader understanding of sustainable urban planning. This study represents a pioneering effort to identify the challenges of optimal site selection for pedestrian walkways. By using a multi-criteria decision-making approach based on mathematical modelling and facility engineering, this effort addresses gaps in the current understanding of site selection criteria and aims to lead a paradigm shift toward a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive urban environment. The results show that the updated RANCOM-PIV greyscale is quite robust and reliable, when comparing the final results of the PIV greyscale and the MARCOS greyscale.

A comprehensive framework for electric vehicle charging station siting along highways using weighted sum method

The proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to an increased demand for strategically located EV charging stations (EVCSs) to ensure a balanced and accessible charging network. The siting of EVCS involves a multifaceted process that includes technological, economic, social, geographical, and environmental factors. An EVCS network should deliver high-quality service, alleviate drivers' range anxiety, and be compatible with renewable energy system integration, while also accounting for technical infrastructure and future expansion expectations. Resting areas along highways, equipped with amenities and grid connections, emerge as potential sites for EVCS installation. Accordingly, this study presents an EVCS siting framework along highways, integrating expert opinions from diverse disciplines. The proposed method employs expert opinions to weigh site selection criteria and then uses a clustering-based approach to identify suitable locations for EVCS siting, utilizing the weighted sum method. According to the experts, the most important criterion is determined as the service level of the candidate point with a weight of 0.375, followed by traffic density (0.218), and proximity to connection roads (0.215). The method is tested both on a test highway and the Edirne-Ankara highway, which is the most heavily used in Türkiye. The results demonstrate that the test highway identifies 13 out of 18 optimal locations using the clustering strategy. Similarly, the siting method identifies 18 out of 31 optimal EVCS locations along the Edirne-Ankara highway ensuring the distance constraints. This approach is scalable and adaptable for application on highways in various countries where EVCS infrastructure is still developing.

Usability of sand samples in TL Radiation Dosimetry.

This study investigated natural sand thermoluminescence (TL) response as a possible option for retrospective high-dose gamma dosimetry. The natural sand under investigation was collected from six locations with selection criteria for sampling sites covering the highest probability of exposure to unexpected radiation on the Egyptian coast. Dose-response, glow curve, chemical composition, linearity, and fading rate for different sand samples were studied. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) analysis revealed differences in chemical composition among the various geological sites, leading to variations in TL glow curve intensity. Sand samples collected from Ras Sedr, Taba, Suez, and Enshas showed similar TL patterns, although with different TL intensities. Beach sands of Matrouh and North Coastal with a high calcite content did not show a clear linear response to the TL technique, in the dose range of 10Gy up to 30kGy. The results show that most sand samples are suitable as a radiation dosimeter at accidental levels of exposure. It is proposed here that for high-dose gamma dosimetry with doses ranging from 3 to 10kGy, a single calibration factor might be enough for TL measurements using sand samples. However, proper calibration might allow dose assessment for doses even up to 30kGy. Most of the investigated sand samples had nearly stable fading rates after seven days of storage. The Ras Sedr sands sample was the most reliable for retrospective dose reconstruction.

A STUDY ON LOCATION SELECTION FOR PRIVATE DISABLED CARE CENTER USING AHP AND TOPSIS METHODS: THE CASE OF ISTANBUL PROVINCE

This study aims to determine the criteria to be considered during the site selection stage of private disabled care centers for disabled individuals, to list the criteria by weighting, and to choose the right place among alternative places. The research was designed in three stages. In the first stage, the articles published in WOS and SCOPUS were examined and criteria for site selection were determined. In the second stage, the criteria were presented to the expert opinion and weighted with the Analytical Hierarchy Process Method. In the third stage, the three identified alternatives were presented to the expert opinion again and the ranking of the alternatives was made with the TOPSIS method. With the analyzes made, it has been concluded that the most logical places among Kadıköy, Büyükçekmece, and Şişli districts are Büyükçekmece, Kadıköy, and Şişli, respectively. It is thought that the study will increase the quality of care services to be provided to individuals with disabilities and will be a guide for the private enterprise that is considering opening an institution in this field.

Where the wild things aren’t: exploring the utility of rapid, small-scale translocations to improve site selection for shellfish restoration

The assessment of site suitability is a crucial step for informing future successful species reintroductions. It ensures that translocated species have the highest chance of survival in their new environment while minimising ecological risks. However, it can be challenging when risk factors are unknown, especially when working with sessile species that cannot easily relocate to more favourable conditions. Under these scenarios, rapid (1-2 week-long), small-scale (< 1 m2) experimental translocations can help reduce uncertainty and improve restoration outcomes. This study conducted small-scale experimental translocations of green-lipped mussels, Perna canaliculus, to 11 shallow coastal sites spread across Tīkapa Moana/the Hauraki Gulf, Aotearoa/New Zealand to investigate the relationship between predator abundance, environmental factors, and mussel loss to help refine existing site selection criteria. The total number of known mussel predators counted from timelapse images was used as a proxy for potential predator pressure. Translocated mussel survival ranged from 10 - 99% and was best predicted by current speed, wind direction, predator abundance, water clarity, and depth (adjusted R2 = 0.505). Predator abundance was best explained by site location (p = 0.001) and had weak correlations among environmental parameters (Rho = 0.067). These results suggest that small, short-term (1-2 week) experimental translocations can help to refine site selection criteria and reduce uncertainty in the site-selection process for larger-scale shellfish reintroduction efforts with unknown and/or hard-to-control risk factors.

Understanding poromechanical response of a biogenic coalbed methane reservoir

Biogenic coalbed methane (BCBM) reservoirs aim to produce methane from in situ coal deposits following microbial conversion of coal. Success of BCBM reservoirs requires economic methane production within an acceptable timeframe. The work reported here quantifies the findings of previously published qualitative work, where it was found that bioconversion induces strains in the pore, matrix and bulk scales. Using imaging and dynamic strain monitoring techniques, the bioconversion induced strain is quantified here. To understand the effect of these strains from a reservoir geomechanics perspective, a corresponding poromechanical model is developed. Furthermore, findings of imaging experiments are validated using core-flooding flow experiments. Finally, expected field-scale behavior of the permeability response of a BCBM operation is modeled and analyzed. The results of the study indicated that, for Illinois coals, bioconversion induced strains result in a decrease in fracture porosity, resulting in a detrimental permeability drop in excess of 60% during bioconversion, which festers itself exponentially throughout its producing life. Results indicate that reservoirs with high initial permeability that will support higher Darcian flowrates, would be better suited for coal bioconversion, thereby providing a site-selection criteria for BCBM operations.

Applying analytic hierarchy process for site selection of a recreational-educational children complex in Shiraz City, Iran

The development of educational-recreational complexes for children has a significant impact on their cognitive growth and behaviour. Proper site selection is essential to ensure the success of such projects. This paper aims to identify the best location for a children’s educational-recreational complex in Shiraz, Iran. The study used a descriptive-comparative and survey method to determine effective criteria for site selection. A questionnaire was administered to experts in architecture, urban design, and planning to identify appropriate sites. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was then employed to select the best location. The hierarchical model included three levels: goal (educational-recreational site selection), criteria (natural potential, accessibility, land size, neighbourhood and social context, expansibility, appropriate land use (the neighbourhood between proposed and master plan land use)), and three alternative sites. The results showed that a site located near residential areas, green spaces, and natural elements is suitable for the development of an educational-recreational complex for children. The study recommends the use of the SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) - AHP method for site selection in children’s complexes. The paper highlights the need for a reliability test or table/figure to support the research findings.

Fuzzy Einstein-based decision-making model for the evaluation of site selection criteria of floating photovoltaic system

The site selection step is one of the milestones required to ensure the success of a renewable energy project. The present study proposes a novel framework for the suitable site selection of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems by applying a robust Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method. A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify the exclusion and decision criteria. A questionnaire was prepared, and 30 experts from academia, industry, and non-governmental organizations answered it. The Fuzzy Einstein-based Logarithmic Additive Estimation of Weight Coefficients (LAAW) model was applied to assess the expert estimates and to determine the weights of 4 main and 41 sub-criteria. Based on the fuzzy model results, the main criteria were ranked in the following order of importance: economical, technical, environmental, and social and regulations. Although the number of decision criteria and the MCDM method significantly differ, the results of the present study are consistent with the findings of previous studies in the literature.

Synergistic Hybrid Marine Renewable Energy Harvest System

This paper proposes a novel hybrid marine renewable energy-harvesting system to increase energy production, reduce levelized costs of energy and promote renewable marine energy. Firstly, various marine renewable energy resources and state-of-art technologies for energy exploitation and storage were reviewed. The site selection criteria for each energy-harvesting approach were identified, and a scoring matrix for site selection was proposed to screen suitable locations for the hybrid system. The Triton Knoll wind farm was used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scoring matrix. An integrated energy system was designed, and FE modeling was performed to assess the effects of additional energy devices on the structural stability of the main wind turbine structure. It has been proven that the additional energy structures have a negligible influence on foundation/structure deflection (<1%) and increased system natural frequency by 6%; thus, they have a minimum influence on the original wind system but increased energy yield.