WENDY toolbox

WENDY toolbox is a spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis toolbox that integrates participatory approaches enhancing energy citizenship, validated models to map energy landscapes as well as best-practice options for environmental design in windfarms to support energy stewardship for sustainable development of wind energy. The roots of the platform definition are established based on existing tools (ConSite) to generate comprehensive decision criteria and to define the preferences database. The existing social-ecological modules of ConSite are used by NINA for the integration of the environmental module in WENDY toolbox. In addition, a techno-economic module is created by CIRCE based on wind characterisation and curtailments evaluation criteria to establish rules and guidelines for wind farms up to a capacity of 5 MW for this first beta version of the toolbox. The integration of the social, environmental, technical and economic modules optimises and promotes further uptake of the toolbox use in wind-power plant siting; aiming at locating sites with least conflict per GWh produced.

Key features of WENDY Toolbox:

• Self-contained Module Rules: Tailored modules (technical, social, and environmental) offering flexibility and relevance for each unique project.

• Consensus-based Siting Toolbox (ConSite): Project partners will operationalise ConSite, ensuring a collaborative and well-informed decision-making process.

• Mapping and Weighing Criteria: Integration of outcomes from work packages to map and weigh multi-decision criteria, providing a holistic view for decision-makers.

• Database and Interventional Recommendations: Outputs will form a database, offering interventional recommendations and fostering collaboration through the social module.

• Life-cycle Ecosystem Service Approach: WENDY Toolbox goes beyond the norm by utilising a life-cycle ecosystem service approach to assess the total impact load in spatial planning. This spans from land-use plans to detailed plans for wind-power plant siting and associated infrastructure.

The WENDY Toolbox represents a leap forward in sustainable spatial planning for wind energy projects. By combining technical precision, social insights, and environmental considerations, it ensures responsible decision-making at every step.