Sustainable Energy Planning with Geographic Information Systems

Muscat to tackle the increasing demand for energy resources, many European countries are focusing on replacing fossil energy with renewable energy. "In Germany about 20 per cent of the electricity consumption is targeted through sustainable energy resources," said Dr. Thomas Blaschke, Professor for Geoinformatics and Deputy-Director of the Center for Geoinformatics at the University of Salzburg, Austria. The public evening presentation entitled: "Sustainable Energy": Modelling and Monitoring Energy Demand and Supply"   was held at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) last week.  

For the Middle East Professor Blaschke suggested that the use of photovoltaic panels could be a suitable alternative to the use of oil and gas. "Currently Germany is one of the leading countries that has installed many photovoltaic panels," said Professor Blaschke. Photovoltaic arrays convert solar radiation into direct current  using semiconductors that  that produce electricity. However, according to Blaschke the lifespan of photovoltaic arrays is rather short; thus globally renewable energies cannot compete with conventional energies due to high prices.

To forecast the energy demand and supply in a certain area or region GIS experts use geospatial data. "Our energy system is based on geographic relations," said Blaschke. Scientists combine address data, population growth, and the amount of conventionally produced electricity, into a model to estimate for example the need for energy in a certain area.

"Sustainable energy planning requires thinking "outside the box" - here: thinking beyond lines and poles - where the technical component may only play a small role," said Blaschke, who presented examples of concepts of sustainable energy planning from Germany and Austria. For example in the area of Bonn, the scientists evaluated if the region could be energy independent from fossil fuels. "Only if transportation distances are not too long, the purchase of renewable energies should be considered," said Professor Blaschke.

The renewable energy industry promises to accommodate all types of applications of smart grids, smart metering and „pay on demand‟ solutions. "Still, operational applications have very specific requirements and they significantly differ from long-term decision making for a sustainable energy planning. The latter is well supported by Remote Sensing and Earth Observation in conjunction with GIS," said Professor Blaschke, who is also  head of the Research Studio iSPACE that specialises in energy modelling.

Professor Blaschke has been lecturer, senior lecturer and professor in Germany, Austria and the UK as well as guest professor and visiting scientist. His academic record yields 250+ scientific publications including 50+ scientific journal publications. Professor Blaschke is author, co-author or editor of 16 books and serves on many scientific editorial boards and committees. He received several academic prizes and awards including the Austrian Christian-Doppler Prize in 1995 and has held a prestigious Fullbright grant.

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© Press Release 2012, 09 January

 

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