Site selection for biomass-solar hybrid renewable energy facilities: Spatial modelling based on fuzzy logic-geographic information systems

Abstract

The aim of this study is to propose a fuzzy logic-geographic information systems (GIS) based spatial model within the context of hybrid renewable energy, rural areas, and spatial planning approach in the site selection process of renewable energy facilities. In this context, potential suitability index and site selection suitability index for biomass-solar hybrid renewable energy facilities are determined within the spatial model, through a case study conducted in T & uuml;rkiye. The study involves a two-stage process: the first stage focuses on establishing the national- level potential, and the second stage involves site selection in areas with high potential. Suitable locations are determined based on the optimal suitability index values, which are derived from fuzzy logic operators including AND, OR, SUM, PRODUCT, and GAMMA, applied in the GIS. The study results indicate that by assigning different gamma values to the fuzzy GAMMA operator, results for the fuzzy AND (gamma = 0.45-0.60), fuzzy OR (gamma = 1.00), fuzzy SUM (gamma = 1.00), and fuzzy PRODUCT (gamma = 0.00-0.15) operators can be obtained. Furthermore, as the gamma value increases, the suitability index also rises, and the optimal site selection occurs at gamma = 0.90. The performance of the fuzzy GAMMA operator in big data sets and two-stage processes demonstrates its applicability in site selection.