{"title":"MCDM GIS framework for wind energy sites suitability in Algeria's northwest","authors":"Daaou Nedjari Hafida, Samira Louassa, Sabiha Kheder-Haddouche","doi":"10.1016/j.esd.2025.101836","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To fulfill rising energy demand and slow global warming, countries worldwide are gradually transitioning to renewable energy, including wind power. However, the wind project's success depends on ideal locations, influenced by conflicting feasibility factors, and on balancing energy objectives, costs, and social and environmental concerns. This study proposes a holistic framework for analyzing the complex issues related to wind energy transition solutions using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methodology, combining geographic information systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). To address the optimal wind site selection challenge, this process evaluates sites based on eight feasibility factors, including infrastructural accessibility, technological limitations, and environmental issues. A priority assessment survey was conducted using the expert method. The energy production maximization objectives were mainly based on wind speed and power density data produced using the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP 12.9) at the regional scale. Overlaying the scores with GIS mapping criteria assisted the sites' classification into five categories, from “unsuitable” to “most suitable”. The proposed MCDM rules, adapted to local conditions, significantly reduced the number of preliminary alternatives by about two-thirds. The regions deemed viable for suitable wind exploitation encompass approximately 1369 km<sup>2</sup>. The cumulative installed capacity reaches 10 GW, including 4.8 GW in Oran and 1.2 GW in Chlef. Fifteen scenarios were assessed, resulting in an effective capacity of 1.43 GW. The results made it possible to construct a roadmap for wind farms, particularly in northwest Algeria, which may attract the interest of policy makers and industry stakeholders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49209,"journal":{"name":"Energy for Sustainable Development","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 101836"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Energy for Sustainable Development","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0973082625001863","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENERGY & FUELS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
To fulfill rising energy demand and slow global warming, countries worldwide are gradually transitioning to renewable energy, including wind power. However, the wind project's success depends on ideal locations, influenced by conflicting feasibility factors, and on balancing energy objectives, costs, and social and environmental concerns. This study proposes a holistic framework for analyzing the complex issues related to wind energy transition solutions using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methodology, combining geographic information systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). To address the optimal wind site selection challenge, this process evaluates sites based on eight feasibility factors, including infrastructural accessibility, technological limitations, and environmental issues. A priority assessment survey was conducted using the expert method. The energy production maximization objectives were mainly based on wind speed and power density data produced using the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP 12.9) at the regional scale. Overlaying the scores with GIS mapping criteria assisted the sites' classification into five categories, from “unsuitable” to “most suitable”. The proposed MCDM rules, adapted to local conditions, significantly reduced the number of preliminary alternatives by about two-thirds. The regions deemed viable for suitable wind exploitation encompass approximately 1369 km2. The cumulative installed capacity reaches 10 GW, including 4.8 GW in Oran and 1.2 GW in Chlef. Fifteen scenarios were assessed, resulting in an effective capacity of 1.43 GW. The results made it possible to construct a roadmap for wind farms, particularly in northwest Algeria, which may attract the interest of policy makers and industry stakeholders.
期刊介绍:
Published on behalf of the International Energy Initiative, Energy for Sustainable Development is the journal for decision makers, managers, consultants, policy makers, planners and researchers in both government and non-government organizations. It publishes original research and reviews about energy in developing countries, sustainable development, energy resources, technologies, policies and interactions.