Geospatial approach for wind farm site selection — A Kerala scenario

Global warming and climate change are major challenges of this century and hence care should be taken not to add any catalytic effect which will adversely affect the same. In this context, energy generation methodologies also need to be sustainable in nature. Wind power is one of the solutions in this perspective and the present study is an effort to find out suitable locations for wind power generation sites. Here, a blend of remote sensing and geographic information system is used as a decision support tool in selecting the sites for erecting wind mills, in Kerala, under the specific constraints and criteria set forth by regulatory authorities. By making use of various thematic layers, the wind sites were initially identified and then evaluated. The methodology thus evolved can be used in locating an optimal site for wind turbines and planning and designing of wind power plants.