Geothermal Exploration with GIS Based Multi Criteria Decision Analysis Methods: Akarcay Basin (Afyonkarahisar).

Geothermal energy that is renewable and not to harm the environment and atmosphere is vitally important in today's world, as one of the alternative energy resources. Afyonkarahisar has significant geothermal potentials that is located in the Aegean Region of Turkey. In this study, geothermal potential areas are defined by Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Method (MCDA). Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used in stage of decision analysis of MCDA, and the method of scoring method was applied in order to determine relative weights of the each criteria in the scope of the AHP. This study is one of few studies in literature that uses GIS based MCDA (G-MCDA) and remote sensing. Exploring the new resources in the Afyonkarahisar within the boundaries of Akarcay Basin will increase potential of thermal tourism, housing heating, greenhouse and balneogeological applications and contribute to the renewable energy production in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]