Argonne Nationwide Laboratory has launched an internet geospatial mapping device to help siting choices and determine areas appropriate for photo voltaic, wind and different clear power infrastructure tasks.
From pv journal USA
Argonne Nationwide Laboratory has developed a dynamic geospatial mapping device as a free, open useful resource to determine appropriate places for photo voltaic, wind, and different clear power infrastructure tasks. Based mostly on the specified parameters, the device generates a “warmth map” of ultimate places.
Customers of the Geospatial Vitality Map (GEM) can find websites with excessive suitability for clear energy era and power transmission corridors in the US. Challenge builders can browse and obtain geographic info system (GIS) information layers or create a personalized mannequin appropriate to focus on areas for power growth.
GEM is supported by massive units of related geospatial information, together with power and infrastructure assets, demographics, boundaries, utility territories, and extra. The device comes loaded with greater than 190 information layers, and practically 100 modeling standards. Customers can choose for inhabitants density, proximity to nearest substation, slope, fireplace danger, and proportion of low-income households.
As a brand new function, the map can simply orient itself to a centered expertise reminiscent of photo voltaic, wind, or EV charging infrastructure. This permits simple loading of a number of layers of knowledge instantly associated to the expertise being developed.
GEM contains preconfigured fashions for over 40 forms of power infrastructure. Land-based wind generators or utility-scale photovoltaic photo voltaic are two examples of expertise presets. Preset information layer teams present a place to begin that customers can additional customise to their desired specs.
“Selecting the place to construct a utility-scale renewable power growth is an important resolution that has ramifications far past electrical energy era,” mentioned Michael Levin, a GEM person who research renewable power landscapes at Columbia. College. “GEM not solely makes power effectivity maps public however permits the person to customise the mannequin used to create such a map.”
GEM was first launched to the general public in 2013 because the Vitality Zones Mapping Software (EZMT), and has since been redesigned, rebranded and reengineered. It’s sponsored by the US Division of Vitality (DoE) Argonne Nationwide Laboratory with funding from the DoE’s Workplace of Electrical energy.
“At GEM we’re making use of the teachings discovered from practically 10 years of internet hosting EZMT, together with making it simpler to study and use, updating the software program structure, and choosing a reputation that matches its present scope of use,” mentioned Jim Kuiper, principal geospatial engineer and GEM technical coordinator.
A various neighborhood of customers is predicted to make use of GEM, similar to its predecessor EZMT. The Kentucky Workplace of Vitality Coverage used EZMT for its prototyping The Photo voltaic Web site Suitability of Reclaimed Mine Lands device. Different customers embody non-public business, public service commissions, regional transmission organizations, nationwide laboratories, academic establishments, and power and pure useful resource nonprofits.
Argonne will host a digital GEM tutorial on Tuesday, January 17 at 2 pm (CT=. Click on right here to attend the webinar through Microsoft Groups.
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