Renewable Energy Potential Estimation in Northern Mexico Using GIS

The transition to renewable energy is crucial for addressing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from activities like electricity generation and transportation. However, the distribution of energy resources varies geographically and temporally, necessitating measurement and estimation to optimize production. While previous studies have examined renewable resources in isolation or as complementary, this paper uses a scoring system to evaluate renewable energy potential. Focusing on Northern Mexico, the paper assesses solar and wind power resources using data from the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional's automatic weather stations. Wind power density (WPD) was calculated from average wind speeds, and solar irradiance data were processed similarly to derive average values. Interpolation of resources availability was conducted using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), normalizing scores based on measured and maximum values. The study area includes Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Chihuahua, and Sonora. Results show that northern Chihuahua and northwest Sonora have the highest WPD and solar irradiance, with central Nuevo León exhibiting the highest average irradiance. Overall, Chihuahua and Sonora scored highest in energy resource availability. This evaluation provides a valuable basis for policymakers and companies considering renewable energy projects in these regions.