Conference article

Increasing negative effects of fossil fuel in addition to limited stock have forced many countries to switch to environmental friendly alternatives that are renewable and can sustain the increasing energy demand. In order to tap the potential of various renewable energy sources; there is a need to assess the availability of the resources spatially. Mapping potential sites for tapping renewable energy is the focus of this study. The study employs the Geographical Information System (GIS) to map various renewable energy sources. A case study of Indian state Maharashtra has been taken. Open source software; Quantum GIS (QGIS) is used to analyze the variability of renewable energy considering the spatial aspect. Maps of installed capacity have been prepared. Solar insolation data and wind speed data available for few sites in the state are mapped and then interpolated for the entire state. A macro survey is done to estimate the renewable energy potential available in the state. Spatial interpolation has been done for micro analysis to define the usefulness of such a system.

Renewable energy; geographical information system; spatial mapping