The Application of Remote Sensing (RS) Technology in Renewable Energy Development: A Review

Abstract

In recent times, the continuous dependence on fossil fuel as a major energy source has come under intense scrutiny in environmental and energy policy discourses. Such energy sources emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) – a major cause of climate change – and threaten global energy security and environmental health. Renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass have gained increasing popularity as attractive alternatives around which global partnerships and cooperation continue to grow. The capital cost associated with the development of some of these energy sources are however huge, necessitating comprehensive evaluation of locational suitability before proceeding with RE investments. While several traditional methodological approaches for the assessment of RE potentials abound, the significant role of the remote sensing (RS) technology in this regard is enormous and hence represents the focus of this paper. Literature on the shift towards green energy, remote sensing technology, and its applications in the development of four renewable energy sources – solar, wind, hydro and biomass – are explored. Case studies were drawn from different geographies around the world to highlight the capabilities of the remote sensing technologies in RE development and variations in the approaches and methodologies adopted in RE resources assessments. The paper concludes that the role of RS technology in renewable energy is huge and growing. Notwithstanding, the need for multi-criteria analysis in the selection of suitable locations for RE investments makes the combination of both GIS and Remote sensing technologies necessary.