Two-stage GIS-MCDM based algorithm to identify plausible regions at micro level to install wind farms: A case study of India

Efficiency of the installed wind farms is location-specific. Various research works used the concepts of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-criteria-techniques (MCDM) to identify suitable locations. However, research works addressing the micro-level site selection are limited. This study proposes a two-stage GIS-MCDM based algorithm that can identify the plausible regions for installing wind farms at the microscopic level. The developed tool, built on the philosophy of fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), differentiates the regions based on technological, economic, social, and environmental aspects. For demonstration purposes, India is chosen as a study region, implying national-level analysis as stage-1 and state-wise analysis as stage-2. Results suggest that the suitable area for wind farm development in India is approximately 1805131 km2, out of which about 650 km2 is considered as highly suitable, and the following best has 330321 km2. The most suitable locations are in the western and southern parts of India, mainly in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu states. These findings of stage-2 present the hierarchy of plausible regions within each state. The developed tool is the first of its kind, help the decision-maker to extend it for siting solar farms and other energy sources.