A GIS-based FAHP and FEDAS analysis framework for suitable site selection of a hybrid offshore wind and solar power plant

Abstract

This study presents a Geographic Information System (GIS) based suitable site selection methodology for a hybrid system that includes offshore wind and solar PV. The methodology utilizes open source databases about decision criteria and applies this data using GIS to determine suitable sites for offshore wind and solar PV systems. For the assessment of multi-criteria which affect the potential hybrid energy power plants and the determination of the best suitable areas, Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Evaluation based on Distance Average Solution (FEDAS) are used in the study. Results show that technical criteria has the priority weight of 0.60 while the weight of social criteria is about 0.07. Among sub-criteria, the wind speed has the highest priority weight while distance to port and visibility are the highest criteria of priority weight under economic and social main criteria, respectively. Among the alternatives, Area 2 (A-2) is determined as the best alternative for hybrid offshore power plants in the study area. This proposed methodology can be utilized by decision-makers to determine the best suitable locations for hybrid offshore wind and solar PV systems at any location. This paper suggests a new approach integrating GIS, fuzzy setbased AHP and EDAS as a novelty.