The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland

This article presents an approach to locating wind farms based on open-source data, GIS software (QGiS v.3.32 Lima), and multicriteria decision-making methods such as AHP, TOPSIS and Borda. The article aims to check the availability of the most suitable sites for wind farms in Podlaskie Voivodeship,...

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Main Authors: Artur Amsharuk, Grażyna Łaska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/20/7107
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author Artur Amsharuk
Grażyna Łaska
author_facet Artur Amsharuk
Grażyna Łaska
author_sort Artur Amsharuk
collection DOAJ
description This article presents an approach to locating wind farms based on open-source data, GIS software (QGiS v.3.32 Lima), and multicriteria decision-making methods such as AHP, TOPSIS and Borda. The article aims to check the availability of the most suitable sites for wind farms in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland. After the site-selection process, 704 plots were selected after three stages of exclusion (technical–natural, social, and economic). These plots cover a total area of 32.50 km<sup>2</sup>, about 0.16% of the region’s area. The results show that Podlaskie Voivodeship has the most considerable clustering of suitable sites for wind farm construction in three districts, with a total area of 21.53 km<sup>2</sup>. The first district is in the southwestern part of the region, with an area of 14.84 km<sup>2</sup>; the second district is in the southeastern part of the region, with an area of 5.59 km<sup>2</sup>; and the third district is in the northern part of the region, with an area of 1.1 km<sup>2</sup>. A selected area of 32.50 km<sup>2</sup> for wind farms and single turbines could increase the power capacity by 62% with 131.5 MW. The GIS and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodology is repeatable and can be used for further research in other voivodeships in Poland and other countries. International and Polish investors and renewable energy sources (RESs) developers can use the research results to select new locations for investments that fit their strategy in the local market.
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spelling doaj.art-25770243bafd43d5b2d230e65f7552482023-11-19T16:22:15ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-10-011620710710.3390/en16207107The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, PolandArtur Amsharuk0Grażyna Łaska1Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Białystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E, 15-351 Białystok, PolandFaculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Białystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E, 15-351 Białystok, PolandThis article presents an approach to locating wind farms based on open-source data, GIS software (QGiS v.3.32 Lima), and multicriteria decision-making methods such as AHP, TOPSIS and Borda. The article aims to check the availability of the most suitable sites for wind farms in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland. After the site-selection process, 704 plots were selected after three stages of exclusion (technical–natural, social, and economic). These plots cover a total area of 32.50 km<sup>2</sup>, about 0.16% of the region’s area. The results show that Podlaskie Voivodeship has the most considerable clustering of suitable sites for wind farm construction in three districts, with a total area of 21.53 km<sup>2</sup>. The first district is in the southwestern part of the region, with an area of 14.84 km<sup>2</sup>; the second district is in the southeastern part of the region, with an area of 5.59 km<sup>2</sup>; and the third district is in the northern part of the region, with an area of 1.1 km<sup>2</sup>. A selected area of 32.50 km<sup>2</sup> for wind farms and single turbines could increase the power capacity by 62% with 131.5 MW. The GIS and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodology is repeatable and can be used for further research in other voivodeships in Poland and other countries. International and Polish investors and renewable energy sources (RESs) developers can use the research results to select new locations for investments that fit their strategy in the local market.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/20/7107site-selection processonshore wind farmsGISMCDAAHPTOPSIS
spellingShingle Artur Amsharuk
Grażyna Łaska
The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
Energies
site-selection process
onshore wind farms
GIS
MCDA
AHP
TOPSIS
title The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
title_full The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
title_fullStr The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
title_full_unstemmed The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
title_short The Approach to Finding Locations for Wind Farms Using GIS and MCDA: Case Study Based on Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
title_sort approach to finding locations for wind farms using gis and mcda case study based on podlaskie voivodeship poland
topic site-selection process
onshore wind farms
GIS
MCDA
AHP
TOPSIS
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/20/7107
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