Macro-scale multi criteria site assessment for wind resource development in Iceland

The process of developing wind resources in a given region is subject to a variety of factors. A thorough understanding and adherence to such factors is paramount to the optimization of wind turbine site selection. This study identifies, analyzes and illustrates those factors which influence onshore...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Doheny, Michael Stephen, 1990-
Other Authors: Háskólinn í Reykjavík
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1946/23979
Description
Summary:The process of developing wind resources in a given region is subject to a variety of factors. A thorough understanding and adherence to such factors is paramount to the optimization of wind turbine site selection. This study identifies, analyzes and illustrates those factors which influence onshore wind resource development in Iceland by using geographic information systems (GIS) software. In addition, optimal sites for wind resource development are identified within the Snæfellsness region using the Pareto Frontier method and a cost-benefit analysis. After consideration of developmental exclusion zones within the analysis, 56.3% of land area is highlighted as suitable for wind resource development within the Snæfellsness region. Among the 43 wind points examined, four points are recognized as most optimal using the Pareto Frontier method. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis is conducted to determine the most optimal site amongst those analyzed for development of an Enercon E44 turbine within the region. Calculations show an AEP yield of 3639.3 MWh´s for the most optimal site. Further recommendations within this field include the development of more accurate macro-scale wind measurement models, and to develop overarching environmental impact assessment standards to encompass such factors into large-scale wind resource assessment processes. Keywords: Wind turbines, wind resource optimization, multi criteria decision making, mapping, GIS Ferli þróunar á nýtingu vindorku á tilteknu svæði er háð ýmsum þáttum. Ítarlegur skilningur og fylgni á slíkum þáttum er lykilatriði við bestun á vali svæðis fyrir uppbyggingu vindhverfla. Rannsóknin ber kennsl á, greinir og lýsir þeim tilteknu þáttum sem hafa áhrif á onshore wind resource þróun með því að nota landfræðilegt upplýsingakerfi (e. geographic information system) (GIS). Þar að auki eru borin kennsl á ákjósanleg svæði á Snæfellsnesi fyrir þróun vindorku með því að nota aðferð Pareto Frontier sem og kostnaðarnytja greiningu (e. cost-benefit analysis). Þegar búið er að ...