Nuclear power plant locating by WLC & GIS (case study: Iran, hormozgan province)

Abstract

Nuclear Power, in this current world, is one of the principle sources of energy world-wide. Electricity demand has to be met and nuclear power has the capacity needed for heat production in order to run the large turbines that generate electricity. Though this kind of power generation produces maximum power, it is a non-renewable source of energy and its effect on the environment is not predictable. Actual impact on the environment is very less, if the locating is carefully done. Also, nuclear power plant locating is an important action in environmental protection. Difference criteria should be paid attention in site selection, so using of special methods are necessary to assimilate the criteria. In this research, GIS software and Analytical Hierarchy Process were used. Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) is a relatively new MCDA which has presented more flexible and reliable results for site selection. In this paper, first of all, maps were built in considering to environmental factors, in next step, each layer, was graded. Low grade showed noncoordination or less coordination and high grade showed more coordination. Assimilate of graded map in WLC process, separates area into unsuitable, relative unsuitable, moderately suitable and suitable parts. Suitable parts can have high priority in decision making and also moderately suitable parts can have high priority for development projects in future. This paper reviews the application of WLC method in a GIS environment to select the optimum sites for nuclear power plants using case study in Hormozgan Province.

Environmental capability evaluation for nuclear power plant site selection: a case study of Sahar Khiz Region in Gilan Province, Iran

“…They used 11 sub-criteria (socioeconomic and ecological), and by combining various data layers (socioeconomic and ecological sub-criteria) and using weighted overlay method (based on WLC) in ArcGIS software, they identified four rankings (from suitable up to unsuitable). The results show that by using the weighted overlay method based on WLC, using an appropriate ranking system considering the ecological and socioeconomic parameters, a site that is suitable for establishment of a nuclear power plant can be determined (Jafari et al 2015). In fact, in this research, fuzzy logic method based on WLC allowed determination of a range of options that were in accordance with environmental considerations.…”

“…However, the methods of our research were different from the methods obtained by Jafari et al (2015) who conducted a site selecting study in Hormozgan Province using weighted overlay method based on WLC. They used 11 sub-criteria (socioeconomic and ecological), and by combining various data layers (socioeconomic and ecological sub-criteria) and using weighted overlay method (based on WLC) in ArcGIS software, they identified four rankings (from suitable up to unsuitable).…”

“…Jafari et al (2015) conducted a study on feasibility of a nuclear power plant with environmental considerations in the Hormozgan Province using WLC as well as assigning weights with AHP method. At first, all the maps based on environmental parameters (ecological and socioeconomic) were prepared including geology, land use, distance from the sea, distance from underground waters, distance from faults, distance to protected areas and distance from highly populated areas and access roads.…”

“…At first, all the maps based on environmental parameters (ecological and socioeconomic) were prepared including geology, land use, distance from the sea, distance from underground waters, distance from faults, distance to protected areas and distance from highly populated areas and access roads. Then, raster maps were classified applying ArcGIS software, and the final map was obtained using WLC, reflecting four categories (Jafari et al 2015).…”

Nuclear Power Plant Location Selection in Vietnam under Fuzzy Environment Conditions

“…David Bailey et al [9] presented an application of a new fuzzy algorithm for finding and exploring potential solutions to these problems in a raster Geographical Information System (GIS) environment. Ru-xin Nie et al [10] solvined a solar-wind power station location problem using an extended weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) technique with interval neutrosophic sets.…”