Optimization of Wind Farm Location Planning with GIS Methods

Wind energy is one of the most important renewable energy sources in India and plays a key role in generation of energy and climate policy targets of the India government. However, a further formation of wind farms involves strong spatial implications that refer to various adverse effects on landscape (onshore wind), noise level, and wildlife. Negative environmental impacts caused by the sometimes suboptimal sitting of wind farms have induced an increasing gap between the social acceptance of this technology on the global and local levels. Particularly on the local level, siting processes of wind farm projects often trigger public protest. The objective of this project is to improve the siting assessment for wind farm by providing a holistic multi-criteria decision making approach that includes techno-economic, socio-political, and environmental criteria, which are defined in a way that social acceptance-related issues are specifically emphasized. GIS-based Analytic Hierarchy Process approach is used, where different factors that affect the location of wind farm siting is considered, Government policies and restricted area is also taken into consideration for proper location of wind farm. The results obtained classifying the area into six different classes based on suitability of area for wind farms (0 being not suitable and 5 being most suitable).