Evaluation of renewable energy sources in peripheral areas and renewable energy-based rural development

The context and background of this study are based on the growing role of policy-driven renewable energy sources in improving energy security, protecting the climate, and encouraging economic development. In many cases, these high expectations are undermined by the lack of an integrated methodology for the measurement of renewable energy potential. Therefore, we assumed as the main hypothesis, the possibility of developing a complex and integrated evaluation methodology for renewable energy potential. Accordingly, we employed evaluation methods based on mapping techniques, simulation software for wind farms, and the analytical tools offered by the Geographical Information System. The main novelty of this study is related to the integration of three renewable energy sources (biomass, solar, and wind) and the respective measurement of their total renewable energy potential. The main results of the study consist of the estimation of three main renewable energy sources—solar, wind, and biomass energy—and the generation of maps showing the potential for solar, wind, and integrated biomass energy at a high spatial resolution. In addition, we have measured and mapped the total renewable energy potential available for supplying the local energy demand. The renewable energy potential maps, combined with a multidimensional index expressing the development level of localities, are good predictors of appropriate locations for the development of renewable energy source-based facilities. The study concludes with recommendations towards the use of the renewable energy potential maps as criteria for project allocation in future for renewable-based rural development, in order to achieve a more balanced regional development.