Nuclear power plant locating by WLC & GIS (case study: Iran, hormozgan province)

Nuclear Power, in this current world, is one of the principle sources of energy world-wide. Electricity demand has to be met and nuclear power has the capacity needed for heat production in order to run the large turbines that generate electricity. Though this kind of power generation produces maximum power, it is a non-renewable source of energy and its effect on the environment is not predictable. Actual impact on the environment is very less, if the locating is carefully done. Also, nuclear power plant locating is an important action in environmental protection. Difference criteria should be paid attention in site selection, so using of special methods are necessary to assimilate the criteria. In this research, GIS software and Analytical Hierarchy Process were used. Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) is a relatively new MCDA which has presented more flexible and reliable results for site selection. In this paper, first of all, maps were built in considering to environmental factors, in next step, each layer, was graded. Low grade showed non-coordination or less coordination and high grade showed more coordination. Assimilate of graded map in WLC process, separates area into unsuitable, relative unsuitable, moderately suitable and suitable parts. Suitable parts can have high priority in decision making and also moderately suitable parts can have high priority for development projects in future. This paper reviews the application of WLC method in a GIS environment to select the optimum sites for nuclear power plants using case study in Hormozgan Province.