Providing a GIS-based framework for Run-Of-River hydropower site selection: a model based on sustainable development energy approach

ABSTRACT The present study implemented an integrative approach facilitated by the developed model called ‘the location-based model of sustainable-development-of-energy' to select the optimal location for deploying Run-of-River (RoR) hydropower plants in Fomanat plain, Gilan, Iran. The suggested model was developed based on a geospatial information system (GIS) and multi-criteria-decision-making (MCDM) methods. A best-worst method (BWM) was further applied to weigh the criteria and calculate a land suitability index (LSI) to evaluate the potential sites. The results were grouped into five categories from the ‘least suitable' to the ‘optimal' based on LSI. Finally, the potential power generation by RoR hydropower plants was estimated for each river in the output suitable areas from the model after validating the result by the field survey process. Accordingly, 0.44% (19.15 km2) of the study area was optimal for deploying RoR hydropower plants, and the results had the highest infrastructure, geographical, and economic potentials due to the aspects of the model. Furthermore, the results indicated that installing RoR hydropower plant facilities in the Fomanat plain produce an average of 4371 KWH per month, which suffices to meet the residential need of more than 12,000 households.