Determining Suitable Regions for Potential Offshore Wind Farms in Bandırma Bay using Multi-criteria-Decision-Making Method

Abstract

Wind energy is an environmentally friendly, profitable, and renewable energy resource. Wind energyeployment is increasing in the last two decades. In this paper, Bandırma bay which has a potential for offshore wind deployment is studied to determine the most suitable area in it and eventually potential offshore power capacity of the location is estimated. This study combines applications of Geographical Information System and Multi-Criteria- Decision-Making Methodology to obtain fast results supported with visual documentation. In this scope, eight standard criteria such as wind speed, water depth, bird migration lines are applied and nvestigated in detail by using Geographical Information System. It is found that there is sufficient wind speedt the shallow level of the sea. Consequently, two locations are found to be suitable; one is on the northwest and the other one is on the north east of Bandırma, with capacities of 72 MW and 48 MW, respectively.