Site selection for a combined-cycle power plant using Fuzzy AHP and OWA method (Case study: Qazvin Province)

Considering the effects of power plants locations on society, economy and environment, it is important to choose a suitable site for this facility. In order to find a suitable location for the construction of combined-cycle power plant, GIS can effectively provide a combination of the required information for site selection. This study aims to identify the most important factors in determining the appropriate place for the construction of combined-cycle power plants. The role and influence of each factor (distance from access roads, altitude, slope of the land, distance from the earthquake-prone areas, distance from surface water resources and distance of the fault lines) are also determined.

Using fuzzy membership functions, the standardized criteria maps were created in GIS based on the nature and role of these factors in the site selection. First, it was necessary to multiply these layers to their weights based on their priorities for combination of the criteria. Fuzzy AHP was used for this purpose. Finally, Ordered Weighted Averaging was used to overlay and combine the layers.

The results indicate that the northwestern part of Qazvin province is inappropriate for the intended purpose and eastern and southeast parts of the study area are forecasted.

Since the risk level of making decision is controlled at high, low or intermediate in combination of the layers by this method, the application of the results of this method will be acceptable, making decisions based on this method will have less uncertainty and the results of this method can be used with more confidence.