Environmental Impacts

Environmental Impacts

Introduction

Wind farms have received public and government support as alternative energy sources because they do not contribution to air pollution, which is typically associated with fossil fuel technologies. At the end of 2008, the global wind energy capacity surged by 28Æ8% and the total installed capacity reached 120Æ8 GW. Spain is the world's third largest wind energy market with 16Æ8 GW of installed electric generation capacity Wind farms can affect birds through collisions with turbines or through displacement because of disturbance. Although low collision rates have been recorded at many wind farms, some poorly sited wind farms have caused high collision mortality rates and the potential for wind farms to cause problems for bird populations should not be underestimated.

Environmental Impacts

GIS

GIS is a tool that can be used to integrate geographically referenced data. This computer-based system facilitates the collection, storage, manipulation, analysis, and display of information in a geographically organized manner. It is often employed to help visualize patterns, trends, and relationships amongst data and to compare the suitability of many locations for specific project. GIS mapping begins with a simple geographic map of a real-world location. Then, any number of datasets can be added to this baseline map, taking the form of additional map layers. Often, GIS maps are interactive. Users can change the amount of information they see in a map as well as zoom in and out.

Google Maps functions as a very simple example of a GIS map. By just going to the website and searching for a location, one is immediately provided with a plain geographic map. Within this simple map, one can then zoom in and out as well as manipulate the types of data that are visible, examples being terrain and current traffic conditions. If you have ever consulted Google Maps to make traveling plans, then you too have taken advantage of the services provided by GIS.

Benefits And Limitations

GIS mapping plays a critical role in the sitting of renewable energy projects. Governmental, non-governmental, and commercial agencies routinely publish data sets describing the theoretical, technological, and economic potential of different renewable energies in specific locations throughout the world. GIS mapping allows policymakers, utilities, and planning commissions to directly compare these and other variables and to decide which locations make the most sense for renewable energy development.

GIS mapping is often used as a tool to reduce the social and environmental impact of renewable energy projects. By allowing spatial variables to be displayed beyond those that simply affect energy output, GIS maps enable project planners to avoid major project complications. For example, GIS maps have been used to map the migratory paths of the Black-Faced Spoonbill, allowing policymakers to avoid conflict with this endangered species when planning renewable energy projects in Taiwan. Often, patterns existing in data become much clearer when viewed through maps. So using GIS maps can highlight details that may have seemed unimportant when looking at them in a less organized fashion.

To date, 3TIER has assisted Worldwatch with its Low-Carbon Energy Roadmaps by providing ...