Software to map the sustainability of renewable – Qualenergia.it

The software, developed by EURAC and University of Trento, allows, through land mapping, to immediately view the sources and availability of renewable energy, allowing you to support and guide scientific decision-making on local energy policies.

The Alps possess great potential of energy from renewable sources and, therefore, the Alpine contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions can be invaluable; energy experts EURAC of Bolzano, have developed software that allows, through land mapping, to immediately view the sources and the availability of renewable energy . This system will support and guide scientific decision-making on local energy policies.

Energy exploitation of ‘ water , the biomass , the Wind and only in the Alps has a positive effect on the climate. However, at the same time it increases the pressure on nature, exerting a possible negative impact on ecosystems, such as on biodiversity in streams. Decisions on the development of renewable energy is therefore a complex challenge . recharge.green , a project which was attended by the Institute for Renewable Energy of the EURAC, was born free software r.green that allows you to create a spatial model the territory on the basis of data input and returns the location, the type and amount of renewable energy used and more convenient in terms of economic and environmentally friendly.

“We have created a technological innovation can support decision making at the moment of energy planning in the area, “says Giulia Garegnani, EURAC researcher, and adds” we want to show that you can use renewable energy in the Alpine region, while ensuring sustainable use land . This will safeguard the biodiversity and land use. “

The first results of a case study in the Province of Cuneo, calculated the biomass availability Forest (rejects) small district heating systems and feasibility of small hydropower . In reaching these conclusions, the experts EURAC and the University of Trento have considered various scenarios the energy demands of a region, policies and legislation on the subject, constraints environmental – for example in protected areas – and economic viability of the plant.

Recharge.green joined 16 partners to develop strategies and tools for decision, for a ‘careful analysis and comparison of costs and benefits of renewable energy within ecosystems, as well as potential conflicts of political-social, such as the protection of nature, the environment and the local economy. The methods of use of open-source software r.green, in collaboration with the University of Trento, will be presented at the international conference “Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions 2015″ of 19 and 20 November EURAC, which will address the issue of sustainable urban planning and intelligent. A focus on technologies and tools in the field, on the costs, benefits and opportunities, as well as experiences of governance of smart cities. The event will see the contribution of various experts and researchers from around the world, as well as the comparison with industry professionals.