A group-based spatial decision support system for wind farm site selection in Northwest Ohio

Pece V. Gorsevski, Steven C. Cathcart, Golrokh Mirzaei, Mohsin M. Jamali, Xinyue Ye, Enrique Gomezdelcampo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

164 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the benefits of applying a spatial decision support system (SDSS) framework for evaluating the suitability for wind farm siting in Northwest Ohio. The multiple criteria evaluation (MCE) prototype system is intended for regional planning but also for promoting group decision making that could involve participants with different interests in the development of decision alternatives. The framework integrates environmental and economic criteria and builds a hierarchy for wind farm siting using weighted linear combination (WLC) techniques and GIS functionality. The SDSS allows the multiple participants to interact and develop an understanding of the spatial data for assigning importance values to each factor. The WLC technique is used to combine the assigned values with map layers, which are standardized using fuzzy set theory, to produce individual suitability maps. The maps created by personal preferences from the participants are aggregated for producing a group solution using the Borda method. Sensitivity analysis is performed on the group solution to examine how small changes in the factor weights affect the calculated suitability scores. The results from the sensitivity analysis are intended to aid understanding of compromised solutions through changes in the input data from the participant's perspective.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)374-385
Number of pages12
JournalEnergy Policy
Volume55
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Energy
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Keywords

  • Borda method
  • Spatial decision support system
  • Wind farm siting

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