GIS decision model for global replication of hybrid closed-loop renewable energy systems

• Published in: 2012 Proceedings of PICMET '12: Technology Management for Emerging Technologies pp. 2832 - 2841
• Main Authors: Hallam, C. R. A., Alarco, L., Flannery, W., Leffel, A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Energy storage; Fuels; Geographic information systems; Renewable energy resources; Reservoirs; Technology management; Wind
• ISBN: 9781467328531; 1467328537
• ISSN: 2159-5100

Larger Geographically isolated populations do not typically have access to primary grid power, and thus rely on generating plants that depend on external supplies of fossil fuels to provide consistent access to power. The application of hybrid closed-loop renewable energy systems can alleviate this dependence and significantly reduce the carbon footprint by reducing the effective combustion byproducts per unit of energy provided. Using case study data, a GIS decision model is presented for determining feasible locations for implementing such a switch, based on successive GIS data layers. Data layers include urban, electrification, geographic topography, soil/ground composition, and wind. Further consideration may exist for investigating constraints on the location choice through the application of restriction layers, including conservation areas, historic sites, etc. The probability density function can then be maximized based on the successive layers as a metric for optimizing or prioritizing initial location choice. The quality of GIS layers with respect to information content for varying international locations directly influences the optimization function in this decision model.