A brand new software helps map out the place to develop clear power infrastructure

The Geospatial Power Mapper is an interactive on-line mapping software that may assist determine areas throughout the nation which can be appropriate for wind, photo voltaic, and different clear power infrastructure initiatives.

It may be onerous to recollect, or for some to even think about, what life was like earlier than most of us carried round a dynamic mapping platform in our again pocket. Having the ability to shortly map out probably the most environment friendly route by automobile, bike, or foot has develop into second nature. What if the identical precept of getting an simply accessible and easy-to-use software might be utilized to mapping power infrastructure?

The Geospatial Power Mapper (GEM) is a complete, interactive on-line mapping software that may assist determine areas throughout the nation which can be appropriate for wind, photo voltaic and extra. First publicly launched in 2013 because the Power Zones Mapping Software (EZMT), GEM has been redesigned, rebranded and reengineered.

“In GEM we utilized classes discovered from virtually 10 years internet hosting the EZMT, together with making it simpler to be taught and use, updating the software program structure, and selecting a reputation becoming its present scope of makes use of,” stated Jim Kuiper, principal geospatial engineer and GEM technical coordinator.

GEM presents an intensive catalog of mapping information. This contains power assets and infrastructure, and different info which may affect power infrastructure siting choices. With over 190 totally different mapping layers—together with demographics, boundaries and utilities—customers can find areas for clear energy era, electrical car charging stations and extra.

One of many new options is mapping themes, which permit the map to be quickly arrange for a specific focus, like photo voltaic, wind or electrical automobiles. This new characteristic helps customers shortly load a number of layers associated to a specific expertise or useful resource with out having to manually browse the mapping catalog and add particular person layers to the map.

With GEM’s modeling capabilities, customers can generate a custom-made suitability map or “warmth map.” This map reveals which geographical areas in america are favorable for the event of sure power assets and infrastructures. GEM contains preconfigured fashions for over 40 sorts of power infrastructure. Land-based wind generators or utility-scale photovoltaic photo voltaic are two examples. This offers a handy start line that customers can then simply customise.

“Selecting the place to construct utility-scale renewable power growth is a tremendously necessary resolution with results that reverberate past the era of electrical energy,” stated Michael Levin, a GEM consumer and Ph.D. scholar finding out renewable power landscapes at Columbia College. “GEM not solely makes power suitability maps public however permits for the consumer to customise the mannequin used to supply such a map.”

GEM has almost 100 modeling standards to select from. Inhabitants density, proximity to nearest substation, slope, wildfire danger and low-income family share are only a few examples. 9 sorts of power assets might be analyzed for clear power useful resource growth. They embody biomass, coal (with carbon seize and sequestration), geothermal, pure gasoline, nuclear, photo voltaic, storage, water and wind.

GEM is anticipated to have a various group of customers very similar to the EZMT. The software has been utilized by planners and regulators in any respect ranges of presidency. As an example, Kentucky’s Workplace of Power Coverage used the EZMT for prototyping their Photo voltaic Web site Suitability on Reclaimed Mine Lands software. Different customers embody non-public trade, public service commissions and regional transmission organizations. Lastly, nationwide laboratories, academic establishments, power and pure useful resource non-profit organizations, and personal people have all been EZMT customers.