An expert system for sustainable planning in the renewable energy sector

Sundara Murthi, Y (2017) An expert system for sustainable planning in the renewable energy sector. Master of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

The development of renewable energy generation has increased the requirements associated with commissioning wind turbines, solar panels and other structures across various location in the UK & EU. The initial and vital process in such commissioning is sustainable planning. This involves identifying all potential constrains which could possibly hinder the development of these structures. The application of Geographical Information system (GIS) in such planning processes allows the identification of these constrains using visual mapping. The flexibility in these applications allows them to be implemented in the planning process of renewable energy sector. The tools available in these applications allow the visualisation and subsequent highlighting of all constrains at varying spatial scales. But, the use of these applications in renewable energy sector planning requires a more unique and flexible framework than planning constraints alone. Entrust professional limited an SME partner of this research with experience over 200 projects in renewable energy sector outlined an initial requirement to increase the efficiency in the planning process for renewable energy. These requirements led to the scope of this research, which is to develop a framework for a desktop, based GIS application for sustainable planning in renewable energy sector. The framework for such GIS application should consist of methodologies to evaluate the potential of wind energy based on the Wind data, estimation of economic feasibility and capacity factor in the location. The flexibility to apply, create and organize the potential constrains database from the various organisations MAGIC partners, ANPA, MoD, CAA, NATS, SNH, Ofcom, RSPB and etc. The planning procedure implemented in them, which will be varying depending upon locations and respective council authorities are to be organised and updated. These planning procedures include the cumulative effects and buffer zones. The implementation of socio-economic constrains in the GIS framework is an innovative addition to the software. The socio-economic constraints will be based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for England. Within a research context these socio-economic data will be used to empirically demonstrate social and economic impact of wind turbine developments on an area. A currently, unanswered and highly controversial topic within the renewable energy sector.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master of Philosophy)
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	14 Dec 2017 16:24
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 06:56
DOI:	10.17638/03009340
Supervisors:	Morrissey, KARYN
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3009340