Renewable Energy Atlas of the United States

Transcription

1 Renewable Energy Atlas of the United States Kevin Hlava 1, James Kuiper 1,Glen Parker 2, and Hal Greenwood ESRI Federal GIS Conference Washington, D.C. Session: Understanding, Designing, and Implementing GIS Systems Environmental GIS Systems Thursday, February 23, :35 a.m. 12:00 p.m., Room 209B 1 Argonne National Laboratory 2 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

2 Abstract The Renewable Energy Atlas (Atlas) of the United States was designed for the Forest Service and other federal agencies to evaluate existing and proposed renewable energy projects on federal lands. An extensive GIS database over 17 gigabytes in size was created from publically available sources of energy resource, land jurisdiction and management, and base map data. ArcReader and ArcGIS project files are provided for interactive map visualization and analysis. A Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file, compatible with Google Earth, provides a dynamic interface for viewing renewable energy resource areas, installed projects, and energy fact sheets. The products are designed for efficient maintenance of the GIS database, and free distribution by using publically available data. This paper describes key elements of the Atlas, including data content, examples of each product, and how energy issues can be supported. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, under interagency agreement, through U.S. Department of Energy contract DE AC02 06CH

3 Background and Context The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) receives many inquiries about siting renewable energy projects Geographic information is needed to evaluate projects on USFS land A considerable volume of geographic data exists for renewable energy and federal lands Efficiently compiled into an integrated electronic atlas Sponsors: USFS 3

4 Introduction Database Design and Development ArcReader and ArcGIS Google Earth Keyhole Markup Language (KML) How to use the Renewable Energy Atlas Questions? 4

5 Database Design and Development The Renewable Energy Atlas (Atlas) includes layers with the following themes: Energy Resources Wind Solar Geothermal Biomass Hydroelectric Federal Lands Federal Land Ownership USFS Regions and Forests Protected Lands Energy Corridors Base Map Jurisdiction Boundaries Transportation Demographic PLSS Hydrology 5

6 Database Design and Development Databases created from publically available sources The Atlas is broken up into three regions Contiguous (Lower 48 States) Alaska Hawaii Each region has a number of Personal Geodatabases Database currently stands at over 17 gigabytes 6

7 ArcReader and ArcGIS Two Separate Projects ArcReader ArcGIS Provides Web Based Map Services Road Atlas, Topographic, Image High Quality/Detailed Regional Projects Contiguous, Alaska, Hawaii USFS Regions 7

8 Google Earth Keyhole Markup Language (KML) Renewable Energy Atlas Keyhole Markup Zip (KMZ) File Opens in Google Earth, NASA World Wind, and other compatible software Provides detailed and current imagery and other overlays Contents within the Atlas KMZ Renewable Energy Fact Sheets Information on renewable energy technology Examples of currently operating facilities Web Links to additional figures and information 8

9 Renewable Energy Atlas KMZ 9

10 Renewable Energy Atlas KMZ 10

11 How To Use The Renewable Energy Atlas Hypothetical Example: Los Padres and Angeles National Forests Known Solar Projects within 25 miles of National Forests Concentrating Solar Alpine Sun Tower (Proposed) Esolar Sierra Sun Tower (Operational) City of Palmdale Hybrid Power Project (Unknown Status) Photovoltaic Solar Del Sur Solar (Under Construction) Nexlight Renewable AV Solar Ranch One (Unknown Status) Zoom into Los Padres and Angeles National Forest Federal Government Administered Lands Layer 11

12 How To Use The Renewable Energy Atlas Los Padres National Forest Angeles National Forest 12

13 How To Use The Renewable Energy Atlas Assess different areas that could be influenced by possible solar facilities/development: Protected Areas Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Wilderness/Wilderness Study Areas National Monuments (All Agencies) USFS Roadless Area Hydrography Stream/Rivers and Water bodies Infrastructure Transportation Power Communication and Radar 13

14 How To Use The Renewable Energy Atlas Wilderness/ Wilderness Study Areas ACEC National Monuments USFS Roadless Areas 14

15 How To Use The Renewable Energy Atlas 15

16 How To Use The Renewable Energy Atlas An advanced user can perform their own analysis of Los Padres and Angeles National Forests Clip protected areas from the National Forests Generate buffers around streams and rivers Generate land acreage numbers for available land Identify detailed areas for further examination of renewable energy development Analysis can be conducted on other renewable energy technologies and resources 16

17 Questions? Authors: Kevin Hlava: GIS Assistant/Specialist, James Kuiper, Project Lead, GIS Project Developer/Analyst, Glen Parker, Realty Specialist, Hal Greenwood: GIS Programmer/Analyst, Questions? 17