A multivariable model for identification of preferred location of wind plants

Unique features of renewable energies such as wind energy has caused increasing demands for such resources. In order to use wind energy as a natural resource, environmental circumstances and geographical location related to wind intensity must be considered. Different factors may affect on the selection of a suitable location for wind plants. These factors must be considered concurrently for optimum location identification of wind plants. This article presents an integrated approach for location of wind plants by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Furthermore, an integrated DEA approach incorporating the most relevant parameters of wind plants is introduced.The prescribed approach is tested for twenty five different cities in Iran. This is the first study that considers an integrated DEA approach for geographical location optimization of wind plants. Implementation of the proposed approach would enable the energy policy makers to select the best possible location for construction of a wind power plant with lowest possible costs.