Application of AHP Method for Comparing the Criteria Used in Locating Wind Farms

Abstract

The article presents a description and comparison of criteria used for choosing the location of a wind farm. The criteria include measurements of wind kinetic energy on a given location, location of wind turbines, location of the transmission line which is used for power transfer from a wind farm to a substation, location of local infrastructure and a grid connection related with technical requirements and project environment. In order to compare the above mentioned criteria, the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method was used, with a 1 to 9 point scale. As far as matching preferences with criteria is concerned, it embraces issues of obtaining decisions and permissions. The main objective of the article is to create a ranking of criteria in their correlation to probability of project success. The article presents the introduction of comparative analysis of a few planned projects, with regard to the time needed to obtain construction permit.