GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis of utility-scale wind farm site suitability in West Virginia

Worldwide, demand is increasing for renewable energy. While wind power is a proven, sustainable energy source, siting can be challenging. Identifying potential sites for wind turbines is a significant step in renewable energy resource planning. Wind turbine site suitability is primarily dependent upon location wind speed along with other economical, environmental and social factors. It is critical to arrive at robust wind farm decision to improve public acceptance, preserve the environment, and assure economic viability. This study provides a modelling approach that incorporates expert opinions of siting criteria in determining potential locations for wind farms in the state of West Virginia. The research involved a two-stage holistic approach: (1) a multi-criteria decision analysis—Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and (2) Geographic Information System assessment of sites. This research builds upon previous studies and contributes to the literature by incorporating two important components: (1) inclusion of critical wildlife habitat for birds and bats as an elimination criterion within the AHP, and (2) the participation by wind power experts in the AHP decision-making process for the utility-scale wind farm suitability modeling. By incorporating expert opinions with weighing of ten siting factors, about 70,000 hectares of land are identified as 'highly suitable' for wind power development throughout the state of West Virginia. This area represents the potential to yield an estimated 29,000 MW of future utility-scale wind power capacity, which is larger than the current coal dominated electricity generation capacity in West Virginia.