GIS-based methodology for evaluating the wind-energy potential of territories: A case study from Andalusia (Spain)

In recent years, Spain, in an effort to meet European Union (E.U.) targets, has been developing different strategies to promote the installation of renewable energy plants. In this regard, evaluating territories to assess their potential and thus identify optimum sites for the installation of energy-generating facilities is a crucial task. This paper presents a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS)-based site-selection methodology for wind-power plants in the province of Córdoba, which has hitherto been regarded as unsuitable for this sort of facility owing to the lack of wind resources. Three scenarios have been set out, each of which presents a different set of restrictions. Scenario 2 applies the most stringent restrictions in the specialized literature, and finds no suitable areas for the installation of wind-energy plants. However, Scenario 1, which applies the least stringent restrictions, and Scenario 3, which applies the same restrictions currently in force for other wind turbines already in operation in Andalusia, have led to the identification of several areas that could a priori be considered suitable and now need more detailed analysis. The results illustrate the convenience of undertaking multiscenario analyses

Knowledge formalization for vector data matching using belief theory

Nowadays geographic vector data is produced both by public and private institutions using well defined specifications or crowdsourcing via Web 2.0 mapping portals. As a result, multiple representations of the same real world objects exist, without any links between these different representations. This becomes an issue when integration, updates, or multi-level analysis needs to be performed, as well as for data quality assessment. In this paper a multi-criteria data matching approach allowing the automatic definition of links between identical features is proposed. The originality of the approach is that the process is guided by an explicit representation and fusion of knowledge from various sources. Moreover the imperfection (imprecision, uncertainty, and incompleteness) is explicitly modeled in the process. Belief theory is used to represent and fuse knowledge from different sources, to model imperfection, and make a decision. Experiments are reported on real data coming from different producers, having different scales and either representing relief (isolated points) or road networks (linear data)

GIS for the determination of bioenergy potential in the centre region of Portugal

Every activity performed by mankind is directly or indirectly dependant on the use of energy. Fossil fuels are the main source used nowadays, a presumably limited energy source that may end in the near future (Boyle, 2004). World total annual consumption of all forms of primary energy increased drastically, and in the year 2006 it reached an estimated 10,800 Mtoe (million tons of oil equivalent) (U.S. Energy Information Administration [USEIA], 2009). The annual average energy consumption per person of the world population in 2006 was about 1.65 toe (ton of oil equivalent) (Population Reference Bureau, 2010). In 2010, the consumption of this energy may reach 12,800 Mtoe (USEIA, 2009) and in 2050 it is expected to achieve a range of 14,300 Mtoe to 23,900 Mtoe (International Energy Agency for Bioenergy [IEAB], 2009). We can also assume that it might possibly never end. The current energy crisis is affecting great part of the world population (U.S. Department of Energy, 2009).(undefined

Use of multicriteria analysis and GIS for selecting sites for onshore wind farms: the case of Andros Island (Greece)

Since wind power is one of the most promising sources of Renewable Energy (RES), the number of wind farms installed around the worldis constantly increasing. The aim of this paper is to develop a mechanism for determining and evaluating the suitability of areas for sitingwind farms, using a combination of Multi-criteria Data Analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This study was carried out onthe island of Andros, Greece. The process involved a four-step gradual exclusion of unsuitable areas for siting wind farms and an evaluationof compatible areas using criteria both from this country’s institutional framework and international literature. During the evaluation ofavailable areas, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), pairwise comparison is used in which the weightings were determined bya group of experts. Despite the very favourable wind conditions on Andros, only a small percentage of its total area was given a high scorefor siting wind farms, due to the strict constraints imposed. The proposed methodology for the optimum siting of wind parks can be used inany study area and at any planning scale (local, regional, national level)