Abstract
Regional Energy Potentials: Spatial Optimization of Renewable Resources Track: Ecology and Conservation Author(s): Josef Strobl While pursuing the goal of a sustainable economy, switching to renewable sources of energy is of critical importance. Most renewables require significant acreage, as solar irradiation either directly or modified through weather and climate drives production. Furthermore, renewable energy sources are difficult to store and transport. Therefore, sustainable economies are inherently more "spatial" than economies driven by fossil or nuclear processes. With fossil fuels running low and cost of transportation increasing, regionalized management of economies through regional planning for sustainability is gaining importance. Essentially we need to identify areas with highest generation potential through photovoltaics, biomass, wind, etc., combined with the least land-use problems. In addition, we have to assure a balance of demand and generation through storage and transfer mechanisms. The overall objective of largely autonomous supplies of energy to regions requires advanced and highly integrated spatial modeling, putting current GIScience concepts and methods to the test. Josef Strobl Salzburg University Center for GeoInformatics Hellbrunnerstrasse 34 Salzburg , null 5020 AT Phone: +43 662 8044 E-mail: josef.strobl@sbg.ac.at |
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