Creating a spatial multi-criteria decision support system for energy related integrated environmental impact assessment

By their spatially very distributed nature, profitability and impacts of renewable energy resources are highly correlated with the geographic locations of power plant deployments. A web-based Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) based on a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach has been implemented for identifying preferable locations for solar power plants based on user preferences. The designated areas found serve for the input scenario development for a subsequent integrated Environmental Impact Assessment. The capabilities of the SDSS service get showcased for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants in the region of Andalusia, Spain. The resulting spatial patterns of possible power plant sites are an important input to the procedural chain of assessing impacts of renewable energies in an integrated effort. The applied methodology and the implemented SDSS are applicable for other renewable technologies as well. •The proposed tool facilitates well-founded CSP plant siting decisions.•Spatial MCDA methods are implemented in a WebGIS environment.•GIS-based SDSS can contribute to a modern integrated impact assessment workflow.•The conducted case study proves the suitability of the methodology.