Applying TOPSIS Method for Wind Farm Site Selection in Iran

摘要

Iran has high potential in generating electricity by employing renewable energy systems. Among different technologies, wind energy is one of the most attractive ones due to its several advantages such as lower cost of generated electricity and its ability in producing electricity in low spaces. Site selection is a crucial step for the process of renewable energy development. In this regard, TOPSIS is applied in the current study to find the most appropriate location for installing wind turbines. The influential criteria in wind farm site selection are scored and the considered alternatives are prioritized by using TOPSIS as an MCDM approach. The cases studies of the present research are Shahrood, Khorramdareh, Zabol and Abadeh which have acceptable wind speed and geographical conditions for power generation by wind turbines. According to the outputs of the study, Shahrood is the most appropriate case among the considered alternatives, which is due to its better condition in terms of project safety, social acceptance, distance from grid and its status of substructures.