Geo-spatial multi-criteria analysis for wave energy conversion system deployment

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe growing requirements for renewable energy production lead to the development of a new series of systems, including wave energy conversion systems. Due to their sensitivity and the impact of the aggressive marine environment, the selection of the most adequate location for these systems is a major and very important task. Several factors, such as technological limitations, environmental conditions, administrative and logistic conditions, have to be taken into account in order to support the decision for best location. This paper describes a geo-spatial multi-criteria analysis methodology, based on geographic information systems technology, for identification of the best location to deploy a wave energy farm. This methodology is not conversion system dependent and therefore can be easily customized for different systems and implementation conditions. Selection factors can include, for example, ocean depth, sea bottom type, existing underwater cables, marine protected areas, ports location, shoreline, power grid location, military exercise areas, climatology of wave significant height, period and power. A case study demonstrating this methodology is presented, for an area offshore the Portuguese southwest coast. The system output allows a clear differential identification of the best spots for implementing a wave energy farm. It is not just a simple Boolean result showing valid and invalid locations, but a layer with a valued suitability for farm deployment.

Siting solar energy development to minimize biological impacts

“…Its application for renewable energy is more recent, however [4e6]. Geographic information systems (GIS) have been used to model spatial patterns of suitability and constraints for development of solar [6e8], wind [6,9,10], and wave or tidal [11,12] resources. Two basic approaches have been used.…”

Selection of Best Renewable Energy Source by Using VIKOR Method

“…Multiple authors used AHP method for the renewable energy planning projects [13,28,29,33]. Other kinds of decision-making methods used in renewable energy investment projects are Fuzzy programming to evaluate the selection of renewable energy alternatives [29,34], Decision Support Systems based on fuzzy decision support model for the energy-economy planning [31,35], a methodology of Geo-spatial multi-criteria analysis used to set up the wave energy farm [36], and a linear programming optimisation methodology in the form of energy flow optimisation model (EFOM) is used for the regional energy planning with RESs and environmental constraints [37].…”

Suitability mapping for renewable energy potential in the North Sea – results from the BLAST project

“…Such a location based multi-criteria analysis is called a GIS based multi-criteria decision analysis approach (GIS-MCDA) (Malczewski, 2006). Recent GIS-MCDA studies for wave energy suitability analysis have been done by Prest et al (2007), Ydens and Meirschaert (2008), Nobre et al (2009) andBeels (2009). To find a suitable location for wave energy, a balance between minimal cost and maximal production has to be found by balancing wave power resource potential, economical considerations, technological specifications, environmental and social conflicts (Beels, 2009).…”