GIS Supported Optimal Site Selection for Coastal Structure Integrated Wave Energy Converters

There is an urgent need for adaptative engineering for more resilient coastal communities, and coastal structure integrated wave energy converters (CSI-WECs) are a promising solution. CSI-WECs are wave energy converters (WECs) that are built into coastal protection structures, such as breakwaters. These devices provide the dual benefits of coastal protection and local energy production, and unlike other WECs, maximizing energy production is not always the main objective. CSI-WECs are located near the shore where the wave resource is lower; thus, site selection for these devices differs from typical offshore WECs. Other attributes of a site that may be more important than wave power include existing coastal structures, port proximity, electric transmission line proximity, and the location of disadvantaged communities. Geographic information system (GIS) interfaces can be used to easily visualize geospatial data that represent these various criteria important for determining optimal marine energy sites. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is a geospatial analysis method that allows for the evaluation of multiple, usually overlapping, criteria. This project applies GIS-based MCDA methods to two distinct case studies in Puerto Rico and California for CSI-WEC site selection. The two study sites contrast in terms of wave resource, coastal hazards, and local energy needs. This research demonstrates the utility of applying an MCDA framework within GIS to facilitate efficient site selection for devices with unique characteristics in different use cases.