Abstract
This paper presents an approach in support of spatial planning for renewable energy at the regional level. It aims to establish an elaborate and informative procedure, as well as integrated quantification and visualization, to support decision making. The proposed approach is composed of a set of sequential steps that include primary energy consumption estimation, renewable energy potential estimation, energy self-sufficiency analysis, and composite map preparation using Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS is used to analyze solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydro-power potential within Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Potential sites are determined based on geographic, topographic, and land use constraints. Evacuees’ population and forest radiation levels are specifically considered in the context of consequent issues emanating from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis. Energy self-sufficiency analysis has been conducted for years 2020 and 2030. A composite map showing potential sites and their interrelation to the above renewable energy resources has also been presented. These results may support decision making in regional renewable energy planning, by providing information on regional potentials and restrictions to different energy stakeholders. This can help to build an energy developmental vision, which can drive regional energy development towards sustainability. The proposed approach can also be applied to other Japanese municipalities or regions. It provides an example on how to establish local GIS databases through the utilization of various online open GIS resources in Japan.
Highlights
Renewable Energy (RE) is receiving increasing attention for its clean, green, and safe characteristics.It drives the energy structure towards a sustainable level by providing a sustainable approach to energy generation [1,2], and contributing to mitigation of the greenhouse effect in the long term [3]
We argue that some basic concepts of spatial planning, such as spatial organization for future sustainable development, consideration for balancing spatial development with social, economic, and ecological requirements are applicable in the RE planning field too
It will increase comparatively slowly from 2020–2030. This is because those areas originally with high radiation levels will still be above 0.1 μSv/h even 20 years after
Summary
Renewable Energy (RE) is receiving increasing attention for its clean, green, and safe characteristics. This study proposed a GIS-based integrated approach to estimate energy self-sufficiency possibility at the regional level, based on primary energy consumption and available RE potential estimation. It aimed to establish an elaborate and informative procedure, as well as integrated quantification and visualization to support decision-making in RE spatial planning. The proposed approach may help with decision-making in support of the RE planning process This is through the provision of quantification and visualization of information on regional potentials and restrictions, to different energy stakeholders such as the energy policy makers and local authorities. Japanese municipalities to help in building a safer and sustainable energy system
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