A geographical information system approach for analysis of surface areas in the context of renewable energy resources

The ability to assess an area for the potential of different renewable energies is governed by a wide range of technical, topographic and environmental variables. This paper discusses modelling these differing constraints for renewable energy potential and then to visualise results on an interactive map. A layered GIS is used with the UK as a location test area. The results compared different renewable energies potential for the same location in the form of kWh/m. On land it was found it is often possible to harness combined renewable energy from ground (solar, bioenergy), at altitude (wind energy) and underground (geothermal, GSHP) at the same time discovering increased multipliers of energy production and land use efficiency.