Systematic Review of Site-Selection Processes in Onshore and Offshore Wind Energy Research

Abstract

Wind energy has a leading role in achieving a low-carbon or completely carbon-free energy sector in the near future. Scientific research on the site-selection aspects of onshore and offshore wind farms is of great importance, contributing to sustainable, technically and economically viable, and socially acceptable wind energy projects. This systematic review provides direct analysis and assessment of existing site-selection procedures and addresses a gap in knowledge in the onshore and offshore wind energy research field, identifying trends in the thematic modules of site-selection issues. Important insights and useful trends are highlighted in: (1) site-selection methodologies; (2) the type, number, and exclusion limits of exclusion criteria; (3) the type, number, importance, priority, and suitability classes of assessment criteria; (4) studies’ geographic locations; (5) spatial planning scales; (6) wind resource analysis; (7) sensitivity analysis; (8) participatory planning approaches, groups, and contributions; (9) laws, regulations, and policies related to wind farm siting; (10) suitability index classifications (i.e., linguistic and numeric); and (11) micro-siting configuration of wind turbines. Identified insights and trends could motivate the conduction of updated site-selection analyses on onshore and offshore wind energy research, addressing the determined gaps and enhancing global siting implementations.