GIS based multi-criteria assessment of tidal stream power potential: A case study for Georgia, USA

A multi-criteria assessment methodology that accounts for the physical, environmental and socioeconomic constraints is proposed to assist in the selection of the most suitable locations for tidal stream power conversion projects. For this purpose, the tidal stream power resource data are incorporated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) database together with datasets that are related to different aspects of the site selection methodology. The proposed method is applied to the Georgia coast to find and rank the best locations for power conversion. The suitable areas are narrowed down to a subset of the high power density areas that satisfy the constraints of a tidal stream power conversion scheme. A demonstrative ranking procedure with equal weighting factors for all criteria shows that the Savannah, Ogeeche, Canoochee and Medway Rivers and the Cumberland Sound have the best locations for tidal power conversion on the coast of Georgia. This methodology is also applicable to other sites where sufficient geospatial data are available.