Multi-criteria decision for selecting a wind farm location to supply energy to reverse osmosis devices and produce freshwater using GIS in Iran

Due to its location in arid and semi-arid climates, Iran is one of the countries with the highest water stress, and the need for a study that states a solution for using salt water is felt more than ever. For the first time in this paper, an indirect method is presented to identify areas prone to salty water in the entire country of Iran, which simultaneously have the potential of wind energy to supply electricity for reverse osmosis desalination devices. Simultaneously economic, environmental, technical, and geological parameters have been considered. The proposed methodology provides a structured decision aid, which can be used in other countries to identify the mentioned areas and produce fresh water using reverse osmosis devices. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to generate layers of data and to apply the elimination criteria and constraints. Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is then used to rank and sort the grids via the identified evaluation criteria. Seventy-eight cities in Iran, mainly located in the east of the country, were identified as potential areas, and 16 cities with the best conditions for using wind energy in the supply of reverse osmosis energy were identified, which are areas with operational potential. For each cubic meter of saltwater desalination at 25 degrees C, about 0.38 kWh of electricity is consumed, the amount of water that can be desalinated depends on the amount of electricity produced by wind turbines. If the total amount of water that can be operationally extracted through 550 kW turbines can be exploited, it can supply 63.8475% of the country's water needs . About 11658552.6321 cubic meters of water can be desalinated and used. Torbat-e-Jam, located in Khorasan Razavi province, can produce 2244868.421 cubic meters of fresh water, the most prone among other areas.

Automated summary

Due to its arid and semi-arid climates, Iran faces high water stress and the urgent need for a solution to utilize saltwater is crucial. This study presents an indirect method to identify areas in Iran that are prone to salinity and have the potential for wind energy to power reverse osmosis desalination devices. Factors such as economics, environment, technology, and geology are considered. The proposed methodology, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), can be applied in other countries to identify suitable areas for freshwater production using reverse osmosis technology. Torbat-e-Jam in Khorasan Razavi province is found to have the highest potential for freshwater production among other areas in Iran.