Utveckling av en GIS-baserad multikriteriemodell för bedömning av fastigheters förutsättningar för geotermisk energiutvinning baserat på öppna data

Sammanfattning

The increasing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in the building sector has contributed to a growing interest in geothermal energy as an alternative for reducing environmental impact and energy consumption. At the same time, rising energy costs and increasing requirements for the transition to renewable energy sources have created a need for effective methods to identify suitable locations for geothermal energy development. The aim of this study was to develop a multi-criteria model capable of identifying and assessing the geothermal potential of individual properties by integrating multiple geographical, geological, and technical criteria into a comprehensive evaluation framework. The study is based on two research questions focusing on which open spatial, geological, and technical datasets can be used to assess the suitability of properties for geothermal energy development, and how these criteria can be classified and integrated into a GIS based multi criteria model. Furthermore, the study investigates the robustness of the developed model's classification under variations in criterion weights. The model was developed in QGIS and is based on the processing, analysis, and integration of multiple spatial datasets related to the suitability of properties for geothermal energy extraction. The criteria included drillable area, thermal conductivity, number of boreholes, total borehole depth, soil depth, and groundwater level. To enable a systematic assessment, the criteria were weighed and combined within the model. The weighting process was carried out using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), in which the relative importance of each criterion was determined through pairwise comparisons. This approach provided a structured prioritization of the factors considered most influential for geothermal energy potential. The results demonstrate that the model can assess the suitability of properties for geothermal energy development and identify the factors that have the greatest influence on the final evaluation. The model also enables the visualization of geographical areas with high geothermal suitability. The study concludes that GISbased multi-criteria models can serve as valuable decision-support tools for the planning and prioritization of geothermal energy solutions. The model was evaluated through expert assessments conducted by professionals with experience in geothermal energy and GIS-based analysis.