GIS Integration Method for Geothermal Power Plant Siting in Sabalan Area, NW Iran

Abstract

Geographic Information System (GIS) was used as a decision-making tool to target potential geothermal power plant sites in Sabalan geothermal field, northwestern part of Iran. The aim of the study was to identify suitable areas to establish 55 MW geothermal power plants (GPP).

After comprehensive study about required data for GPP site selection project, available data in the area on a regional scale (1:25000) were categorized in three datasets; Physical (slope, hydrology and faults), socioeconomical (population centers, land use and access roads) and technical (anomaly area, wells pad locations and hot springs).

A knowledge-driven Boolean integration method within a Geographical Information System was used, to determine the spatial association between physical, socioeconomical and technical evidences to determine potential geothermal power generation sites. ArcMap, consisting of geoprocessing and model building tools was used to run the GIS Model for Geothermal Power Plant (GM-GPP) site selection project. Finally, 7 suitable sites, around 1% of the study area were selected.