A whole island approach to scoping renewable energy sites and yields

Abstract

Island communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change and energy insecurity; renewable energy can counter both threats. This study takes a whole island approach to scoping wind and solar energy potential. The Isle of Man (IOM) was selected because of the limited development of renewables to date, plus high reliance on energy imports. Potential sites for renewables development were evaluated using social, environmental, technical, economic and political factors in a combined Geographic Information System (GIS)-multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). We find that 9% of the island is highly suitable for onshore wind development, and 2% for solar photovoltaic. These areas could potentially yield 107 MW from onshore wind and 150 MW from solar. Roof top and floating solar could add a further 30 MW, and offshore wind 497 MW. The total wind and solar renewables potential of onshore and offshore sites of 784 MW is much greater than the historical (85 MW) and projected (131 MW) demand by 2050. Hence, our first stage estimates suggest that combinations of renewables could significantly improve energy security and even support energy exports from the IOM. The demonstrated GIS-MCDA modelling offers a tool for scoping the resource potential of other energy-import dependent islands.