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Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) extracted by Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) is a proven clean and profitable technology. Although it is available almost everywhere, its market enjoys different maturity levels along with the other EU Members and even those within the same country. In the Murcia region, in Southern Spain, the presence of GSHP is almost nonexistent. Germany, in contrast, has an extensive tradition of exploiting its SGE resources and is an example of a mature GSHP market. In this work, the technical and non-technical barriers were assessed in both countries to identify the site-specific parameters preventing a better deployment of SGE in Southern Spain. In addition, a SWOT analysis was conducted to highlight the parameters positively and negatively influencing the geothermal resource extraction. Results showed that both study cases showed similar and good technical conditions, such as sufficient resource 80 W/m approx. or a similar impact on the environment mainly due to the use of electricity consumed. However, the regulation and legal framework greatly varied from one area to another. In conclusion, the main factors causing a poor deployment are the lack of specific regulation or regional administration support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a multi-criterion decision-making approach for optimal off-shore wind location assessment by including fuzzy geographical information systems to prioritize the different locations and alternatives. The multi-objective framework involves a variety of elements, such as climatic, geographic, social, environmental, location, and economic factors. The proposed decision-making solution is based on a multicriteria evaluation method divided into two steps: an analytic hierarchy process and a prioritization of the alternatives in comparison to a parallel approach based on a fuzzy geographical information system solution. The Gulf of Maine (USA) is considered as a case example, owing to the relevant offshore wind potential of such an area. A descriptive statistical evaluation of the wind resource was previously carried out to characterize this area with wind speed field measurements for 10 years (2010–2019). A design proposal for a 1 GW offshore wind power plant is used in a case study based on a 15 MW variable speed wind turbine prototype recently proposed by the IEA Wind Task 37. The results include prioritization of optimal offshore wind power plant sites, levelized cost of electricity estimation, and avoided emissions in comparison to traditional supply side scenarios, mainly based on fossil fuel generation units. • MCDM approach for optimal offshore wind sites by including fuzzy-GIS. • AHP-TOPSIS and fuzzy-GIS comparison of prioritized alternatives. • Gulf of Maine (USA) considered as case example, with 10 years data measurements. • 1 GW rate power offshore wind installation based on a 15MW VSWT IEA Wind Task 37. • Offshore wind sites, electricity levelized cost and avoided emissions are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide range of environmental impacts have been triggered worldwide by intensive agrarian production designed to maximize crop yields. The ecological crisis in the Mar Menor, Europe's largest salt-water lagoon, is an example of how changes in traditional farming practices have had a significant impact on the lagoon ecosystem. In this context, integrated photovoltaic systems can potentially alleviate the pressure for land resources while also contributing to sustainable land use and reducing eutrophication in the lagoon. The case study is an example of balance between two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Zero hunger (SDG 2) and Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) achieved by sharing land occupation and additionally obtaining an ecosystem restoration, linked to SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 13 (Climate Action). Based on official information and literature studies on watering, fertilizing needs, and production, we developed an approach for combining geographical data with estimates of the environmental benefits of photovoltaic integrated solutions. The results show that up to 1377 tonnes/year of nitrate fertilizer can be avoided, and water use can be reduced by up to 27 Hm 3 /year, depending on the distributed photovoltaic power scenario selected. Likewise, the installed capacity of ground-mounted, agrivoltaic, greenhouse-mounted, and floating photovoltaic systems varies from 54 GW p , 16 GW p , 0.4 GW p , and 0.6 GW p , respectively. • Environmental benefits of integrated PV systems in agricultural areas are presented. • The methodology combines GIS tools, PV power rating calculations, and environmental impact modeling. • Integrated PV systems offer optimal solutions for balancing land use and SDG fulfillment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow Geothermal Energy (SGE) exploited by vertical close loop Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) is a proven, reliable, and widespread renewable heating and cooling technology. However, in many regions there is still a lack of awareness among policy makers and end users, constituting a major constraint to wider deployment of SGE. In order to contribute to its market consolidation, this work focuses on bringing to light relevant spatial information affecting the suitability of SGE exploitation. This information is the result of the systematization of geological, climatic, and environmental open and available data translated into performance indicators. A set of thematic maps was created using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) comprising the European Member States and other European countries. The relative area and the amount of population affected per indicator was spatially analyzed to determine the most common values found and the affected population. The relationship between area percentage and population affected percentage per indicator was also analyzed and allowed to identify the most common indicators values in areas where high energy demands are expected. Additionally, an example of how this data can be used into a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework is shown. • Spatial analysis of indicators affecting Ground Source Heat Pump performance. • Systematization of collected data in continental thematic maps. • Classification of indicators by area and population. • Identification of non-exploited areas with favorable conditions for the exploitation of shallow geothermal energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the relevant potential of offshore resource to substantially mitigate the effects of climate change through the generation of renewable electricity, the full exploitation of such wind resource currently remains incomplete. To promote offshore wind energy projects, it is crucial to engage in comprehensive planning processes that encompass technical, social, environmental, stakeholder, and political considerations. Within this framework, this paper presents a combined approach based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methodology to optimize the selection of offshore wind farm locations. The proposed methodology includes annual net electricity production as a critical factor in the decision-making process, which has been previously optimized with regard to the wake effect. Subsequently, the determination of potential locations involves key criteria such as technical feasibility, environmental impact, economic viability, and power generation potential. This MCDM-GIS approach was applied and evaluated in a case study along the Spanish coastline, considering 92 initial alternatives. The results indicate that the offshore wind energy targets established for Spain in 2030 and 2050 should be reevaluated, as the optimal utilization of the available area represents only 16% of the total potential area. Based on the aforementioned criteria, a suitability map was generated by integrating all relevant map layers, including their respective buffer zones. [Display omitted] • Net electricity production criterion included in the alternative decision matrix. • GIS-MCDM synergy methodology at territorial level to optimize offshore wind sites. • Multi-criteria definition includes technical, environmental, and economic factors. • 92 potential offshore wind plant alternatives in a Spanish case study are considered. • Results give different ranking of alternatives depending on each MCDM approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, a considerable number of studies have been conducted to find the optimal locations for renewable energy facilities. The reviewed literature demonstrates how the combination of spatial representation computer tools, such as geographic information systems (GIS), with multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methodologies, has successfully solved the problem of identifying optimal locations. Furthermore, since the appearance of fuzzy logic, the combination approaches have extended to the field of fuzzy sets to consider the imprecision and vagueness that some criteria may involve. In this paper, we propose a comparative analysis among fuzzy versions of MCDM methodologies, including GIS technologies, for the optimal site selection of offshore wind power plants. With this aim, we combined a classical pair-wise comparison method (AHP) with two distance-based approaches (TOPSIS and VIKOR), applying GIS software and comparing the two most extended fuzzy membership functions: triangular and linear. As a case study, this optimal location problem was applied to offshore wind site selection in the Gulf of Maine (USA). Initially, 56 alternatives for potential locations were identified from 22,331 km 2 study area. After applying the AHP methodology, the weights of the criteria were obtained, turning out to be the wind speed and bathymetry the most important criteria. The results demonstrate the robustness of the fuzzy TOPSIS methodology against potential variations in the criteria weights, since the best alternatives (optimal locations) and almost 90% of the 25 top-ranked alternatives were matching. Likewise, the rankings of alternatives illustrate that the use of triangular or linear fuzzy membership functions does not cause significant differences after applying the fuzzy VIKOR methodology and ArcGIS software. In fact, the most appropriate alternative is the same for both cases, and there is only an exchange of positions among the top-ranked alternatives. The proposed solutions can be applied to other locations and both onshore and offshore installations. • A comparative analysis among fuzzy versions of MCDM methodologies. • GIS and MCDM fuzzy methodologies combined for optimal site wind locations. • Assessment of site alternatives through TOPSIS–VIKOR MCDM comparative analysis. • Case study based on the offshore wind site selection in the Gulf of Maine, USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to boost the use of shallow geothermal energy, reliable and sound information concerning its potential must be provided to the public and energy decision-makers, among others. To this end, we developed a GIS-based methodology that allowed us to estimate the resource, energy, economic and environmental potential of shallow geothermal energy at a regional scale. Our method focuses on closed-loop borehole heat exchanger systems, which are by far the systems that are most utilized for heating and cooling purposes, and whose energy demands are similar throughout the year in the study area applied. The resource was assessed based on the thermal properties from the surface to a depth of 100 m, considering the water saturation grade of the materials. Additionally, climate and building characteristics data were also used as the main input. The G.POT method was used for assessing the annual shallow geothermal resource and for the specific heat extraction (sHe) rate estimation for both heating and, for the first time, for cooling. The method was applied to the Region of Murcia (Spain) and thematic maps were created with the outputting results. They offer insight toward the thermal energy that can be extracted for both heating and cooling in (MWh/year) and (W/m); the technical potential, making a distinction over the climate zones in the region; the cost of the possible ground source heat pump (GSHP) installation, associated payback period and the cost of producing the shallow geothermal energy; and, finally, the GHG emissions savings derived from its usage. The model also output the specific heat extraction rates, which are compared to those from the VDI 4640, which prove to be slightly higher than the previous one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]